What is Domestic Abuse and how to get help
The current stay at home measures may create additional pressures on our home life and cause extra worry to those who are at risk or experiencing domestic abuse.
If you are being abused, worried about hurting someone, or are concerned about a friend or family member, help and support remains available and it’s important that you seek help through a support organisation or the police.
Please remember, even during the lockdown, you may leave home, to avoid injury or illness or to escape risk of harm (such as domestic abuse).
What is domestic abuse?
Women’s Aid defines domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer.
Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
- Psychological and/or emotional abuse
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
- Harassment and stalking
- Online or digital abuse
On the women’s Aid website there is a COVID-19 Resource Hub which includes support and advice during the COVID-19 crisis.
How to report incidents of Domestic Abuse
If you are in immediate danger or know of someone that is, call 999 and ask for the police.
For those using mobile phones, there is a system in place called the Silent Solution for people who are in danger, but are unable to talk freely on the phone. Call 999 and respond by coughing or tapping the headset if you can’t easily speak. If prompted, press 55 and you will be put through to the police. You can read more about the Silent Solution here.
If you are experiencing abuse or know someone that is you can report this to the police by calling 101 or call the DA helpline number on 0808 2000 247.
Where to get support and advice
Useful information on abuse, rights, and advice on the support that is available can be accessed via the below support services.
The gov.uk website also has a list of organisations that offer support for men and women.
If you need an immediate place of safety you will need to contact your local authority in the first instance.
How can we help?
Types of help we can offer, include:
- Additional security measures for you home where appropriate
- Money, benefit and debt advice to customers through our friendly, Money matters team on 01952 217234
- Advice and signposting to other support services.
There are a number of websites containing useful information listed on our Domestic Abuse page.
13th January 2021