Domestic violence and abuse

Domestic violence is the most prevalent form of abuse experienced by women and girls. Learn about the definition of domestic violence, the effects on women and girls' health, the main barriers to women and girls leaving abusive relationships, and what ActionAid is doing to help.

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence refers to physical, sexual or emotional abuse and controlling behaviours, usually by a current or former partner, but also by a family member or carer.

Domestic violence is rarely a one-off occurrence. A survivor usually experiences many different forms of violence during one incident. Violent acts are often repeated throughout and sometimes after the relationship.

Although domestic violence does affect men, statistics show that it is overwhelmingly carried out by men and experienced by women.

Like all forms of violence against women and girls, domestic violence is a gross violation of women's and girls' rights. To end violence against women and girls, we must tackle violence at home.

650 million
Each year, 15 million girls are married before the age of 18. 1There are currently 650 million women alive who married as children.2

47 %
It is estimated that of all women who were the victims of homicide globally in 2012, almost half were killed by intimate partners or family members, compared to less than 6% of men killed in the same year.3

120 million
Around 120 million girls under the age of 20 worldwide (about 1 in 10) have experienced forced sexual acts at some point in their lives.4

Domestic violence by intimate partners

Husbands, boyfriends, male neighbours and relatives are the most likely perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

Domestic violence by husbands, boyfriends or partners (also known as intimate partner violence or IPV) is by far the most reported form of violence against women. In the most extreme cases, it can lead to homicide.

Globally, 38% of all murdered women (in contrast to 6% of all murdered men) are killed by their partner.5

Domestic violence is universal. It is an expression of male dominance over women and it is both a cause and a consequence of women’s serious disadvantage and unequal position in comparison to men. Its impact is felt throughout every layer of society.

ActionAid focuses on tackling domestic violence through supporting survivors, helping them access family planning services, providing them with skills and resources to earn their own income, holding perpetrators to account and ending the patriarchal power structures and harmful practices such as child marriage that help enable abuse in the first place.

How domestic violence affects women and girls living in poverty

Domestic violence is a global problem, but women and girls in poverty are even more at risk. Survivors often can’t afford to go to hospital or get support from the police, and are left dealing with the emotional and physical impacts of the abuse on their own.

ActionAid is committed to ending domestic and other forms of violence against women and girls. Our local workers tackle violence in their communities and help survivors access the services they need and the justice they deserve.

What are the different types of domestic violence?

Domestic violence by partners can take many forms. These are five of the main types of abuse.

Rape: non-consensual penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth with a penis or other body part – or non-consensual penetration of the vagina or anus with an object.
Sexual assault: any form of non-consensual sexual contact that does not result in or include penetration. Examples include: attempted rape, as well as unwanted kissing, fondling, or touching of genitalia and buttocks.
Physical assault: physical violence which is not sexual in nature. Examples include: kicking, biting, shoving, hitting with a fist, object or other body part, strangulation, suffocation, burning, scalding, attack with a weapon or object, acid attacks or any other act that results in pain, discomfort or injury.
Denial of resources, opportunities and services: denial of rightful access to economic resources/assets or livelihood opportunities, education, health or other social services. Examples include: earnings forcibly taken from an intimate partner, prevention of contraception use.
Psychological/emotional abuse: infliction of mental or emotional pain or injury. Examples include: threats of physical or sexual violence, intimidation, humiliation, forced isolation, remarks, gestures, written works of a sexual and/or menacing nature, destruction of cherished things.6

Nur's story: from survivor to women’s support worker

Nur, a survivor of the 2018 Sunda Strait Tsunami, not only lost her home but also discovered her husband’s affair that night. Facing psychological violence, she prioritised her children’s welfare, enduring betrayal to ensure a roof over their heads.

“I never thought that he would have an affair. I thought that everything was fine,” recalled Nur. "There are 3 children that I have to raise, the house is also in a sad condition after the tsunami, if I question him and get divorced then what will happen to me and the children? I just swallowed all the pain.

"There was sugar and canned sardines as aid for tsunami victims that I have saved, suddenly they disappeared. There were food packages also missing. He brought it for his young wife,” Nur continued her story. "I kept my disappointment within, as long as the house is intact again".

After separating, she briefly worked as a domestic worker before returning home. Through the PKH social protection program and participation in women’s empowerment trainings, Nur gained confidence and became a support for other survivors of domestic violence in Paniis Village.

Often, domestic violence incidents occur for economic reasons. Having no money makes it easy to get emotional anger. Education Gardens is one of the efforts to ease the family's economic burden."

Today, she co-manages the Education Garden, strengthens women’s economic independence, and has rebuilt her life with a new, supportive husband.

After surviving disaster and psychological abuse, Nur now empowers other women and builds economic security for her family through community initiatives.

Bima Artoko/ActionAid

The effects of intimate partner violence on women’s health

Domestic violence has devastating consequences for women and girls.

Women who have been physically or sexually abused by their partners are more than twice as likely to have an abortion, almost twice as likely to experience depression and, in some regions, 1.5 times more likely to acquire a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or HIV.7

Other physical and mental impacts of domestic violence include injury, chronic pain, suicide, post-traumatic stress disorder, neurological disorders, anxiety, alcohol and substance abuse – and death.

The effects on children and babies

Violence during pregnancy has been associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labour and birth and low birth weight, according to the World Health Organisation.8

Domestic violence and women's economic independence

There are multiple issues that prevent women from leaving abusive relationships, including shame, denial, lack of self-confidence and fear for their safety.

However, for women and girls living in poverty, the biggest barrier to them leaving is usually financial dependence on their partner. Many women struggle with economic security and rely on their combined incomes with other family members or husbands in order to make ends meet for them and their children.

He used to slap me in the streets at night or at his place. I didn't report anything I just let things be. What's the point of reporting someone who is feeding you?”
Grace, Accra, Ghana

Grace's quote highlights the way economic inequality enables control and domination, and can force women and girls into a situation where they have to suffer through abuse or face hunger or destitution.

Empowering women to generate their own income and have financial independence is therefore an essential part of ending domestic violence.

Domestic violence and unintended pregnancy statistics

14,100
ActionAid estimates that by reducing domestic violence by partners, 8.4 million unsafe abortions could be prevented - saving an estimated 14,100 women’s lives - the majority in sub-Saharan Africa.9

15%
Overall, the proportion of unintended pregnancy that can be attributed to domestic violence by partners is 15%.9

40%
Reducing domestic violence by partners by 50% could potentially reduce unintended pregnancy by up to 40%.9

Domestic violence and women's sexual and reproductive health and rights

Men can use violence to dominate their relationships economically, physically, psychologically and sexually. This denies them their sexual and reproductive health and rights, making it extremely difficult for women and girls to prevent unintended pregnancy.

Rape, fear of violence when or if women refuse sex, and difficulties negotiating contraception and condom use all increase the likelihood of women and girls having unintended pregnancy, as well as catching sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the second highest cause of death for girls aged 15-19 worldwide.12

By giving women and girls access to family planning services we can support women to control the number of children they have – helping increase their independence and ability to stand up to abuse or leave abusive relationships.

Since I started working I have the money to buy contraceptives because I am self-employed. I can now refuse my husband when he demands sex if I am not in the mood. I haven't told him my husband I'm using contraceptives yet.”
Beatrice, Accra, Ghana

However, as we can see from Beatrice’s comment – even when women are able to address some power imbalances and violence within their relationship, there is still fear of reprisal when it comes to speaking about contraception.

This highlights how empowering women economically is not enough. We must promote women's sexual and reproductive health and rights and address the power imbalances in relationships which are at the heart of the issue.

How contraception helped Evelyn stand up to her husband

Evelyn, 39, is a farmer from Liberia. In 2012, Evelyn had one child and only wanted two children. However, her husband wanted 10.

In 2012, Evelyn reported that her husband had raped her, beaten her before and during pregnancy (causing miscarriage) and had locked her up in her home. He controlled her fertility.

Most of the time when we refuse they can force us and it can be hard for us to report. My husband can force me to have sex even when I am sick.”

When ActionAid Liberia came to Evelyn's county, it was the first time she had access to information on contraception. Through joining an ActionAid women's group, Evelyn learned about her rights and was able to get the contraceptive pill to control her pregnancy.

Through farming collectively with the other women in the group, she was also able to generate her own income.

All of these steps have given her more independence and confidence in standing up to her abusive husband.

We went door to door, village to village, trying to convince men about the family planning services.”

The women's hard work has paid off. "Nurses are no longer requesting our partners before they can give us treatment," she says.

"Our men also understand; even my husband has agreed to have four children instead of 10. Things have changed, but we still have more to do."

Lucy’s journey: Finding safety and justice

Lucy moved into her husband’s home in 1986, hoping for a peaceful marriage, but instead endured decades of abuse. Her husband would tie her up and threaten to cut her in pieces. "I still hurt from the injuries of all these beatings, and I lost some of my teeth from the punches and slaps he would give to my head. This man was determined to finish my life."

For 45 years, she stayed for the sake of her five children. In 2020, with her life in immediate danger, a friend told her about ActionAid Uganda’s Gender-Based Violence Shelter in Amuru.

At the shelter, Lucy received psychosocial support, healthcare, and legal assistance. ActionAid worked alongside local authorities to ensure her husband was arrested and brought before the courts.

“I am stable and healing, and I have full control of my life now,” Lucy shares.

Thanks to ActionAid’s intervention, Lucy was able to heal, rebuild her life, and regain her independence. Today, she lives free from fear, empowered to make decisions for herself and her children.

I don’t want to remember those bad times, but I am so grateful to ActionAid for working with the police to help me; I am a free woman at last."

After decades of abuse, Lucy found safety, support, and a fresh start at ActionAid’s shelter.

Akoth Angella/ActionAid

How ActionAid is ending domestic violence

Local ActionAid staff across Africa, Asia and Latin America are working to end domestic violence. Through local women's groups and girls' clubs, we empower women and girls to know their rights – especially their right to make choices about their own bodies.

By funding local women's organisations, we help provide vital information and support services for survivors of domestic violence. We support organisations who investigate domestic violence cases and take perpetrators to court to ensure they are brought to justice.

We work to end harmful traditional practices such as child marriage that create relationship power imbalances where domestic violence is common.

We do research on issues such as the link between domestic violence and sexual reproductive health and rights (PDF), and make recommendations to governments.

ActionAid also campaigns at a regional, national and international levels to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

Have you been affected by domestic violence?

If you or anyone you know has experienced violence, there are services that can help. You don't have to report the assault to police if you don't want to.

These services may be able to help you:

24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247
A 24-hour national service for women experiencing domestic violence, as well as for their their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf.

Rape Crisis – 0808 802 9999
A free national helpline for women and girls who have experienced abuse, rape and all forms of sexual violence.

Galop, the LGBT+ anti-violence charity
Support for LGTB+ women, men and non-binary people who have experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse. They also have a dedicated service for trans people.

The Survivors Trust
Support for all survivors of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse, no matter how long ago it happened.

Childline - 0800 1111
Free help and advice to anyone under the age of 19.