Coercive control Expand Coercive control is behaviour or a pattern of behaviour that includes threats, humiliation, assaults and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. This type of controlling behaviour is used to make a person dependent on the perpetrator through isolating them from support, exploiting them, removing their independence and regulating their everyday behaviour.
Emotional abuse Expand Through name-calling, put downs, mind games and/or gaslighting. This form of abuse may cause the survivor to feel depressed, anxious, stressed and worried and affect their confidence and self-esteem.
Female genital mutilation Expand This is a procedure used in some cultures to intentionally cut or injure the female genitals. The most frequent reasons for this procedure are religion, protecting a girl’s virginity, social acceptance and hygiene misunderstandings. There is no medical reason for this illegal procedure which can cause severe pain and health consequences and long-lasting effects on the victim throughout their life. In the UK, female genital mutilation is illegal.
Financial and economical abuse Expand Controlling a victim’s financial resources. Stopping someone from working or keeping a job. Taking a victim’s wages or personal finances. Controlling when and where a victim can use their money.
Forced marriages Expand Many young people are forced into marrying someone against their will. In the UK, forced marriages are illegal. Consent is not given by the victim to marry and abuse is used in order to force them to get married. Pressure is put upon them or ‘honour’ is used to ensure that they go ahead with what the perpetrators want. This may be in the form of young girls taken abroad by their family under false pretences. They are told they are going on holiday when in reality they are taken to get married.
'Honour' based violence Expand Violence used to protect the families honour is another challenge some victim’s may face in the BME community. Should victims do something which jeopardises the honour of their family, it could lead to extreme danger for the victim and in some cases death. Perpetrators threaten dangerous consequences resulting in the victim doing exactly what they say regardless of the victim’s consent.
Human trafficking and modern slavery Expand Forcing someone to obtain some type of labour or sexual exploitation against their will. Modern slavery is exploiting someone for a perpetrator's own personal gain.
Physical abuse Expand Causing injury or harm by bodily contact. Threatening causing injury or harm by bodily contact.
Rape and sexual abuse Expand Unwanted or forced sexual intercourse/behaviour by a perpetrator to a victim without their consent. This includes performing this type of behaviour in a marriage.
Stalking or intimidation Expand Unwanted surveillance and observation by perpetrator. Intimidating and threatening behaviour towards an individual.
Tech abuse Expand Perpetrators using technology to control, stalk and isolate victims. This includes constant messaging or keeping a track of what the victim is doing online and keeping a constant track of where the victim is by accessing the victim's phone location online. Sending abuse over social media or pretending to be someone else when messaging the victim.