Families up and down the country will celebrate Mother’s Day at the end of the month, perhaps with treating mum to breakfast in bed, or a special present. But for some, Mother’s Day is not always a happy time.
Perpetrators often use dominating and controlling tactics to abuse their partner and sometimes children can be used as a tool.
Nearly 60% of survivors using domestic abuse services in the UK are mothers and 1 in 5 are pregnant.
Does he say you are an unfit mother?
Have your children been turned against you?
Does he use access to harass you?
Does he threaten to take your children away?
Have you been persuaded to have his baby, and then help and care is refused?
Are child maintenance payments constantly stalled or stopped completely?
Whether you are a married couple or separated and co-parenting, these are all signs of an abusive relationship.
Since the Domestic Abuse Bill became Law back in April 2021, children who see, hear or experience the effects of the abuse, and are related to the victim or perpetrator, are now seen as victims in their own right. This doesn’t change the fact that they are often too young or frightened to seek help.
1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime - as will 1 in 6 men.
2 women a week are killed by a partner or ex-partner in this country.
The Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline is a free, confidential support and signposting service for anyone affected by Domestic Abuse. We are open 9am-9pm weekdays and 9am-4pm weekends. Our kim@mailpurple.org email service is monitored daily. If you, or someone you know needs support, we are here to help.