Supporting residents experiencing domestic abuse - Statutory definition of domestic abuse

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse as:

Behaviour of a person (“A”) towards another person (“B”) is “domestic abuse” if:

• A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other, and
• the behaviour is abusive
• Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists of any of the following:
  • physical or sexual abuse;
  • violent or threatening behaviour;
  • controlling or coercive behaviour;
  • economic abuse (see subsection (4));
• Psychological, emotional or other abuse; and it does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.
• “Economic abuse” means any behaviour that has a substantial adverse  effect on B’s ability to:
  • acquire, use or maintain money or other property, or
  • obtain goods or services.
• For the purposes of this Act A’s behaviour may be behaviour “towards” B despite the fact that it consists of conduct directed at another person (for example, B’s child).
• References in this Act to being abusive towards another person are to  be read in accordance with this section.