Raise awareness
Of coercive control, emotional manipulation and the hidden forms of violence.
DAfree CIC · Awareness into action
What breaks the cycle of domestic abuse?
A modern approach to preventing domestic abuse: raising awareness and fostering healthier relationships, before harm occurs.
Look up. One gull is struggling to keep up.
You noticed. That is where awareness begins. The story of the smallest gull
The DAfree journey
From unawarer, to awarer, to DAfree.
Harm often starts quietly. A comment. A rule. A look at your phone. When nobody names it, it slowly starts to feel normal.
Awareness gives it a name. Naming abuse and setting clear boundaries are the first steps to transformation.
Free to recognise it early, prevent harm and break the cycle, for this generation and the next.
Why DAfree
Behind closed doors, every year.
0 million
people aged 16 and over in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the last year.
Each dot is 1,000 people
0mwomen, and 1.5 million men. Abuse does not discriminate.
1 in 0adults have experienced domestic abuse at some point since the age of 16.
0%of all crime recorded by police is domestic abuse related.
Source: Office for National Statistics, Crime Survey for England and Wales and police recorded crime, year ending March 2025 (published November 2025).
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021
Abuse takes many forms. Learn to join the dots.
The Act gave domestic abuse a clear legal definition. In real life it rarely announces itself. It hides in small behaviours that look harmless on their own, until you see the pattern.
Tap a drawing to join its dots. Recognising these signs early can be the difference between a healthy connection and a harmful one.
Drag the dial
In its simplest form
Who holds the dial?
Every home has a thermostat. In a healthy relationship either of you can reach it, and saying “I'm too warm” is just a sentence.
Comfy
Either of you can reach the dial, and either of you can turn it down without fear.
The research behind DAfree
Legislation alone cannot end domestic abuse.
By the time a case reaches the legal system, the harm has already been done. Victims face immense challenges in reporting, and limited resources make justice and rehabilitation hard to deliver.
True progress means going beyond the law: raising awareness of harmful behaviours, setting clear boundaries for what is unacceptable, and building a shared understanding across every background. Only then can we create lasting change and protect future generations.
Empower survivors
Amplifying their voices with compassion, understanding and practical support.
Educate communities
Resources, courses and workshops on the patterns, risks and impacts of abuse.
Promote systemic change
Stronger policies, prevention strategies and cultural shifts.
Research. Lived experience. Lasting change is only achieved together.
The story behind the symbol
The smallest gull.
Those most in need of support are not always the most visible.
While watching a family of gulls over time, one small chick stood out. Smaller and weaker than the others, it often struggled to compete and risked being overlooked. Yet with time, care and support, it gradually grew stronger and thrived.
Harm and vulnerability are not always obvious. Many people living with controlling or abusive behaviour feel unseen, unheard or isolated long before anyone else recognises what is happening.
The smallest gull became a symbol of resilience, awareness, and the importance of recognising what may otherwise go unnoticed.
Because freedom, safety and respect should not depend on gender, culture, ethnicity or circumstance. They should be the foundation for everyone.
Raising voices, spreading awareness
Find your way in.
Private · nothing leaves your device
The Red Flag Checker
Red flags are not always obvious. They often start as subtle patterns of control, manipulation or disrespect that slowly erode confidence and independence. Reflect on what you have noticed, privately, and see whether a pattern is forming.
Start reflecting CPD Group approved providerCPD training for professionals
Five accredited courses on coercive control, safeguarding, trauma-informed practice and digital abuse. Central London, at your organisation, or online.
Explore courses Real peopleTrue stories
“Abuse can hide behind wealth and charm. True awareness means seeing what lies beneath the surface.”
Read their storiesThe DAfree newsletter
Awareness changes everything.
Become a DAfree member
Awareness leads to freedom.
The DAfree community is a welcoming, private space where we take meaningful action together. It is free to join, and every step on the 9 level DAfree Journey unlocks new resources.
Your donations fund our mission to spread awareness and break the cycle of stigma and abuse.