The Government defines domestic violence as:

“Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse
(psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional)
between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality”.

This includes issues of concern to some Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities such as so called ‘honour killings'.

An adult is defined as any person aged 18 years or over. Family members are defined as mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, and grandparents, whether directly related in-laws or step family.

If a child or a vulnerable adult is victim of domestic abuse this must be reported to the Safeguarding Children Unit and other appropriate agencies under the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and the "All Agency Adult Protection Policy".

Forced Marriage is also considered as Domestic Abuse (as opposed to Arranged Marriages)

Safer Stockport Partnership Declaration:

"We recognise that domestic violence is a widespread problem,
and we will not tolerate or ignore it. We shall develop our policies and services to help anyone involved in, or experiencing, domestic violence to make positive choices.”

Safer Stockport Partnership Domestic Abuse Definition:

“Domestic violence is defined as any violence between family members, current or former partners in an intimate relationship, whenever and wherever the violence occurs. It may include physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse”.

Just because someone does not look like a "typical victim" does not mean he or she is not suffering from domestic abuse. Domestic violence can happen to anyone