Yes and no! Domestic abuse is not a crime in itself – you cannot be arrested or sent to prison for domestic abuse. However, many things that abusive people do are against the law. For example, it’s a crime to assault (physically hurt) another person, or to harass someone. Under the law everyone has the right to live free from and be protected from violence and abuse. Abuse isn’t an accident – it’s a pattern of behaviour that’s done on purpose to hurt, intimidate or frighten another person.
Posted in: What's Abuse?