Domestic Abuse Awareness Month: Recognising the Signs and Finding a Path to Healing

October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, a time to shed light on an issue that too often hides behind closed doors. Domestic abuse affects people from all walks of life — regardless of gender, age, sexuality, or background. In the UK alone, an estimated 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Raising awareness is not only about recognising abuse but also about empowering survivors and offering hope for recovery.

Understanding Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse isn’t limited to physical violence. It can take many forms, including emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. It often involves a pattern of controlling or coercive behaviour that seeks to dominate the victim and undermine their sense of self-worth.

Some of the most common types include:

• Emotional or psychological abuse – constant criticism, humiliation, manipulation, or gaslighting (making someone question their own reality).

• Physical abuse – hitting, slapping, choking, or any act of physical harm.

• Financial abuse – restricting access to money, controlling spending, or sabotaging employment.

• Sexual abuse – forcing or pressuring someone into sexual acts without consent.

• Coercive control – isolating someone from friends and family, monitoring their movements, or using threats to maintain control.

Recognising the Signs

Domestic abuse is often subtle and can develop gradually, making it difficult for victims — and those around them — to identify. Warning signs may include:

• The person becomes unusually withdrawn, anxious, or fearful.

• They seem overly worried about pleasing their partner or avoiding conflict.

• There are unexplained injuries or frequent “accidents”.

• Their partner constantly texts or checks up on them.

• They stop seeing friends or attending social activities.

• Financial independence seems to disappear, or they express anxiety about money.

If you notice these signs in someone you know, approach them gently and without judgement. Simply letting them know you are there for them can make a huge difference.

What to Do if You or Someone You Know Is Affected

If you believe you’re experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone, and support is available.

• In the UK, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) — available 24/7, free and confidential.

• If you’re in immediate danger, call 999. If you can’t speak, dial 55 when prompted to indicate you need emergency help.

• Local charities such as Refuge, Women’s Aid, and Mankind Initiative offer resources, safe housing, and legal advice.

• Friends and family can play a vital role by offering a listening ear, encouraging professional support, and avoiding judgement or pressure.

The Role of Therapy in Healing

Escaping an abusive relationship is only the beginning of recovery. Many survivors carry deep emotional scars — trauma, anxiety, depression, guilt, and a damaged sense of self. This is where therapy can play a crucial role.

Counselling provides a safe, confidential space to process what has happened, rebuild self-esteem, and begin to trust again. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help survivors challenge negative beliefs instilled by their abuser, while trauma-focused therapy or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) can assist in healing from post-traumatic stress.

Group therapy or peer support groups can also offer comfort through shared experiences, reducing the isolation many survivors feel. Over time, therapy helps individuals move from surviving to thriving — regaining confidence, control, and hope for the future.

A Message of Hope

Domestic abuse thrives in silence. By raising awareness, supporting victims, and encouraging open conversation, we help break that silence. Whether you’re a survivor, a friend, or a concerned neighbour, every action — no matter how small — can make a difference.

This October, let’s stand together to say: you deserve to feel safe, respected, and valued. There is life after abuse, and healing is possible.