Quarter of women experience abuse in their lifetime
STEPHEN BARK
One in four women are affected by domestic abuse in their lifetime. It’s more than just the physical abuse that you might think of, it’s a pattern of coercive control which can also include emotional, sexual, psychological and financial abuse. Samantha Jago, family law partner and mediator at DMH Stallard, explains that this pattern of control can sometimes be difficult for someone subjected to it identify. She said:“It can be very hard for a victim to recognise that they are suffering from domestic abuse. They will often excuse the behaviours they are suffering from and in many cases it simply becomes their norm and they do not question the behaviours at all. “Abusers are manipulative and will often make victims feel that the abuse they suffer is deserved. For many abusers they will claim that they are, in fact, the victim due to some alleged wrongdoing of the victim. “Many wrongly believe that domestic abuse is just physical abuse but this is wrong. It can include: Financial control – such as not allowing a victim access to money, taking their money, questioning bank transactions or controlling what they can spend. Abusing someone online, i.e. via text messages, Facebook, breaking into their emails, monitoring websites the victim visits and so forth. Verbal abuse – which can include name calling, repetitively going on about some slight they perceive they have suffered, belittling someone.
Coercive control – this can include controlling your relationships with other people, telling you how to dress, when to speak, where you can go and so forth.
Gaslighting – this is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person puts doubt into the mind of another making them question their memory, perception, judgement and so forth.
Emotional abuse – can include humiliation, controlling you, telling you that you have‘mental health issues’, destroying you possessions, threatening to hurt you and so forth.
Sexual abuse – making unwanted sexual demands, pressuring you to have sex and so on.”
In South Lanarkshire, the region’s Partnership on Gender-Based Violence forms part of the wider public protection team.
Working alongside public bodies and charities, it aims to tackle a wide range of gender-based violence including domestic abuse through the recently published Equally Safe strategy for 2020-23.
South Lanarkshire Council’s director of health and social care, Val de Souza said: “The South Lanarkshire Gender Based Violence Partnership has worked to ensure that women and children continue to be supported during the COVID-19 crisis.
“It acknowledges the increased risks during lockdown and is supporting local and national initiatives.
“The recent Scottish Government announcement noted that tackling domestic abuse is as much a priority now as ever during COVID-19.
“The outbreak should not prevent anyone experiencing violence, including coercive and controlling behaviours, from seeking such help or reporting a crime against them. “We have been actively sharing and distributing information from a number of partners, and recommend the three following sources of information: Community and workforce – www. gov.scot/news/ supporting-domestic-abuse-victims/ Safety planning – safeandtogetherinstitute.com/ evidence-resources/ covid-19-case-planning/ Guide for victims – safelives.org. uk/ staying-safe-during-covid-19guidance “The above support the comprehensive materials and information already available via the SLC website which remains in place, gives information on services and can be found here: South Lanarkshire Gender-Based Violence Partnership Info.”