Domestic abuse is defined as any single incident or pattern of conduct where someone's behaviour towards another is abusive, and where the people involved are aged 16 or over and are, or have been, personally connected to each, with majority of cases by a current or ex-partner. 

Domestic abuse exists as part of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and also includes different forms of family violence such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation and so called “honour crimes” that are perpetrated primarily by family members, often with multiple perpetrators.