In a relationship, there are ups and downs – sometimes people say and do things to each other that is not nice. But there’s a difference between normal arguing and abusive or controlling behaviour in the home, which is called domestic abuse.
Abuse is when one person hurts, bullies or controls their girlfriend, partner or spouse – who are going out with each other, living together or married.
Usually, men are the abusers and women are the victims (the ones getting hurt), but domestic violence can happen to men as well. Sometimes additional caring responsibilities can lead to people losing control and hurting others – for example when feeling exhausted and being the sole carer for your partner who has Alzheimer's disease.
Domestic abuse doesn’t always have to be physical; it can also include emotional abuse, financial abuse and sexual abuse. Many of these behaviours are crimes (against the law).
If you would like to know more about Domestic Abuse you may want to look at a website called Hideout.