What is violence?

Domestic violence and men’s violence against women include physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence. It occurs in all social classes, and in all age groups. Violence is a crime and violates fundamental rights and freedoms.

Physical violence

Physical violence can vary in many ways. It can range from slapping, punching, kicking, pushing, choking or attempted suffocation to the use of various weapons and even murder.

Sexual violence

Sexual violence ranges from sexual harassment to rape. It can include unwelcome touching, being forced to perform sexual acts, witnessing sexual acts or being sexually violated in any other way.

Psychological violence

Psychological violence can involve threatening and intimidating someone with physical violence, or humiliating them or forcing them to commit abusive acts. Children may also be used to gain control over the other parent. Being isolated and not being able to pursue your interests, move about freely or spend time with friends and family is also psychological abuse. Violence can also be perpetrated digitally through control and harassment over the phone, on a computer or via apps

Economic violence

Economic violence is a form of control. This can include being forced to disclose bank ID login details, being pressured to take out a loan or being forbidden to go to work and thus losing income. This can leave the victim in a difficult financial situation, with long-term debts that make it even more difficult to leave the relationship.

Physical violence

Physical violence can vary in many ways. It can range from slapping, punching, kicking, pushing, choking or attempted suffocation to the use of various weapons and even murder.

Psychological violence

Psychological violence can involve threatening and intimidating someone with physical violence, or humiliating them or forcing them to commit abusive acts. Children may also be used to gain control over the other parent. Being isolated and not being able to pursue your interests, move about freely or spend time with friends and family is also psychological abuse. Violence can also be perpetrated digitally through control and harassment over the phone, on a computer or via apps

Sexual violence

Sexual violence ranges from sexual harassment to rape. It can include unwelcome touching, being forced to perform sexual acts, witnessing sexual acts or being sexually violated in any other way.

Economic violence

Economic violence is a form of control. This can include being forced to disclose bank ID login details, being pressured to take out a loan or being forbidden to go to work and thus losing income. This can leave the victim in a difficult financial situation, with long-term debts that make it even more difficult to leave the relationship.

Call us

020-50 50 50

The National Women’s Helpline is open 24 hours a day and provides support to anyone who’s been subjected to threats and violence. Calls are free. You can’t text the National Women’s Helpline. In an emergency, call 112.