{"id":2009,"date":"2024-05-22T13:08:31","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T13:08:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/?page_id=2009"},"modified":"2026-10-12T12:15:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T12:15:08","slug":"physical-abuse","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/physical-abuse\/","title":{"rendered":"Physical Abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Physical Abuse<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Abuse is never your fault. You deserve to feel safe in your body and in your home.<\/b><\/p>

Physical abuse is any intentional act of violence that causes or threatens physical harm. It can include hitting, slapping, choking, restraining, or any form of physical aggression\u2014and it often happens alongside emotional, financial, or sexual abuse.<\/span><\/p>

At <\/span>Rosa Women\u2019s Lives Matter<\/span><\/i>, we\u2019re here to support you. If you or someone you know is experiencing physical abuse, <\/span>you are not alone\u2014and you can get help.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

What Is Physical Abuse?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Physical abuse is any use of force intended to control, intimidate, punish, or injure another person. It can happen in <\/span>romantic relationships<\/b>, <\/span>families<\/b>, <\/span>caregiving roles<\/b>, or <\/span>shared households<\/b>, and it is always about power and control.<\/span><\/p>

Examples include:<\/b><\/p>

  • Hitting, punching, slapping, or kicking<\/span><\/li>
  • Choking or strangling<\/span><\/li>
  • Pushing, shoving, or grabbing<\/span><\/li>
  • Burning or scalding<\/span><\/li>
  • Throwing objects at you<\/span><\/li>
  • Restraining you physically or locking you in a room<\/span><\/li>
  • Using weapons or threatening with objects<\/span><\/li>
  • Denying medical treatment or preventing access to help<\/span><\/li>
  • Physical intimidation or destruction of property during arguments<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

    You do not need to have visible injuries for it to be abuse. The threat of violence or fear of being hurt is also a form of abuse.<\/span><\/p>

    \u201cHe said it was just a push. But the bruises kept getting worse\u2014and so did the fear. I was scared to leave, but I was more scared to stay.\u201d<\/b>
    <\/span>\u2014 <\/span>Layla, survivor<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    The Impact of Physical Abuse\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Physical abuse doesn\u2019t just hurt the body\u2014it deeply affects your <\/span>mental and emotional wellbeing<\/b>. Survivors may experience:<\/span><\/p>

    • Chronic fear, anxiety, or PTSD<\/span><\/li>
    • Shame or self-blame<\/span><\/li>
    • Isolation and withdrawal<\/span><\/li>
    • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating<\/span><\/li>
    • Physical injuries or long-term health problems<\/span><\/li>
    • Loss of trust in others<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

      Repeated abuse can escalate over time. What starts as a push or slap may lead to life-threatening violence.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t

      If You Are in Immediate Danger\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      Call <\/span>999<\/b> if you or someone else is in danger. You can also:<\/span><\/p>

      • \ud83d\udcf2<\/span> Text 999<\/b> if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or unable to speak (register your phone in advance)<\/span><\/li>
      • \ud83e\uddd1<\/span>\u200d<\/span>\u2695\ufe0f<\/span> Speak to a trusted GP, health worker, or teacher<\/span><\/li>
      • \ud83d\udecf\ufe0f<\/span> Visit <\/span>pharmacies or hospitals<\/b> that offer Safe Spaces<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

        Never underestimate the risk. Your safety matters.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t

        Signs You May Be Experiencing Physical Abuse\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        \ud83d\udc63<\/b> Signs You May Be Experiencing Physical Abuse<\/b><\/p>

        Ask yourself:<\/span><\/p>

        • Are you afraid of your partner or someone in your household?<\/span><\/li>
        • Do you hide injuries or make excuses for them?<\/span><\/li>
        • Have you been stopped from seeking medical help?<\/span><\/li>
        • Do they hurt you when they\u2019re angry\u2014or blame you afterward?<\/span><\/li>
        • Have they threatened to hurt you, your children, or your pets?<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

          If you answered yes to any of the above, <\/span>you may be experiencing abuse<\/b>\u2014and you deserve support.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t

          How We Can Help\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

          We offer <\/span>confidential, free, and compassionate support<\/b> to anyone experiencing physical abuse. Our team can help you:<\/span><\/p>

          • Create a <\/span>safety plan<\/b> tailored to your needs<\/span><\/li>
          • Access <\/span>emergency accommodation or refuge<\/b><\/li>
          • Receive <\/span>legal advice and protective orders<\/b><\/li>
          • Get medical and trauma-informed emotional support<\/span><\/li>
          • Speak to <\/span>counsellors, advocates, and peer support groups<\/b><\/li><\/ul>

            We work with you at your pace. Whether you\u2019re ready to leave or just want to talk\u2014we are here.<\/span><\/p>

            You don\u2019t have to wait until it gets worse. You can get help today.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

            \n\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t\t

            \ud83d\udce3 Help Someone You\u2019re Worried About\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

            If someone you know may be experiencing physical abuse:<\/span><\/p>

            • Let them know you\u2019re there for them<\/span><\/li>
            • Don\u2019t pressure them to leave\u2014focus on their safety<\/span><\/li>
            • Avoid judging or criticising their choices<\/span><\/li>
            • Help them find professional support or a safe place<\/span><\/li>
            • Offer to go with them to appointments if they feel scared<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t
              <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Physical Abuse Abuse is never your fault. You deserve to feel safe in your body and in your home. Physical abuse is any intentional act of violence that causes or threatens physical harm. It can include hitting, slapping, choking, restraining, or any form of physical aggression\u2014and it often happens alongside emotional, financial, or sexual abuse. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2009","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2009","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2009"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2009\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}