If it's an emergency and you believe a crime is happening, that someone is injured, you are being threatened, or in immediate danger, you should always call 999.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse, also called "domestic violence" or "intimate partner violence", can be defined as a pattern of behaviour in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.
Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviours that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone.
Domestic abuse can take different forms, including:
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse
- financial abuse
- coercive control / emotional abuse
- digital/online abuse
- honour-based violence
- forced marriage
- female genital mutilation (FGM)
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating.
Victims of domestic abuse may also include a child or other relative, or any other household member.
If you feel you can't safely return to your home, you should contact the police immediately.
We're unable to offer temporary accommodation in this situation, but if the police agree it is not safe for you to return home, you should approach your local authority for emergency accommodation, with proof of the police verification.
We can still offer support, advice and guidance, throughout this process though and we have members of staff who are trained in understanding the impact of Domestic Abuse.
Read our Domestic Abuse Policy
We are here to help
Please remember, you are not alone.
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Assault is a criminal offence – no one has the right to beat, verbally or sexually abuse you or your children.
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You are not responsible for the abuse, and you are not to blame – it is your abuser who must take responsibility for their actions.
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Violence is never the way to solve a conflict in the home.
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You can survive and move on from an abusive relationship.
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Try not to be afraid of asking for help.
Report your concerns to us
We take all reports of domestic abuse extremely seriously. and are here to support you and your family; please call us straightaway.
0300 123 2221
or
Email us in confidenceWe will work with partner agencies to
Awareness
Raise awareness of Domestic Abuse and how this impact individuals and families
Identify
Work closely with other agencies such as the Adult Social Care and Women's Aid to identify, monitor and support.
Support
Work with support staff to help the customer. We take all reports of domestic abuse extremely seriously. and are here to support you and your family;
Familiarise yourself with The Silent Solution system.
This is a system for victims of domestic abuse who might be afraid of further danger and escalation of harm if they are overheard when calling 999 in an emergency.
When somebody calls 999, an operator will ask which emergency service is required. If the caller is unable to audibly signal to the operator, the call will be forwarded to an operating system. If 55 is pressed by the caller, the system will detect this.
The operator will then transfer the call to the relevant police force as an emergency. Once you have spoken to the Police, please send us the incident report number and the officer’s name so we can contact them. We will work with them and yourself to agree on the next steps.
Learn more
Other help and support
If it is an emergency and you believe a crime is happening, that someone is injured, you are being threatened, or in immediate danger, you should always call 999.
