Domestic abuse and sexual violence

Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse.

Domestic abuse affects people from all social backgrounds and professions and occurs irrespective of race and sexual orientation. The age of most Army families, combined with lifestyle factors of separation and mobility, provide additional causes of stress.

No Defence For Abuse

MOD’s strategy, “No Defence for Abuse”, sets out its plan to 2023. The Army has produced its own instructions to the Chain of Command on how to deal with actual or suspected incidents. The Army Steering Group has policy makers and practitioners in order to meet its obligations. Initiatives include training aimed at perpetrators and potential victims and increasing awareness.

The Army is working towards removing the barriers to reporting domestic abuse and providing appropriate and sensitive support to anyone disclosing domestic abuse as either a victim, perpetrator or concerned third party.

Everyone in the Army has a vital role to play in helping the UK transform its approach to tackling domestic abuse and we must work together to protect all those within our organisation who are being abused behind closed doors.