Definitions of Domestic Abuse

Statutory Definition of Domestic Abuse under Section 1 of DA Act 2021

  • Behaviour of a person (“A”) towards another person (“B”) is “domestic abuse” if: (a)A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other, and (b)the behaviour is abusive.
  • This includes physical, emotional, economic, sexual abuse and controlling and coercive behaviour.
  • ‘Personally connected’ means: intimate partners, ex-partners, family members or individuals who share parental responsibility for a child 

(See Appendix 1 for expanded definitions).