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Domestic violence or abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional. This can include financial and economic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour. This can happen to men and women and can affect the whole family. Children are affected by seeing or hearing it as well as suffering abuse themselves.
Domestic abuse is one of the most common under-reported or ‘hidden’ crimes. It can be hard to accept that a loved one can behave so aggressive. Because you can’t explain their behaviour, you may think you are to blame. Victims are never to blame. No one deserves to be assaulted, abused or humiliated, least of all by a loved one. It is your abuser’s behaviour that needs to change.
Signs of domestic abuse are not always as obvious as you might think. The signs may include, but is not limited to:
If you believe that you or someone else could be a victim of domestic abuse, here are some of the signs that you can look out for:
If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, please call 999 and ask for the Police.
If you need urgent help but don’t feel safe enough to speak, use the Silent Solution system and call 999. Listen to the questions from the 999 operator and respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can – if you can’t, press 55 when prompted. This lets the operator know it’s a genuine emergency and you’ll be put through to the Police.
If you can’t use a voice phone, you can register with the Police text service – text REGISTER to 999. You will get a text which tells you what to do next. Be sure to do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger.
Visit Emergency SMS to find out more
There is lots of information and support out there and don’t forget that we are here to help. Contact us on 0300 123 1966 and select “˜concern for an individual’s welfare’. You can also speak to us via Live Chat.
More information and support from the Government
Refuge run the National Domestic Abuse Helpline which you can call for free, and in confidence, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
Their website provides guidance and support for potential victims, as well as those who are worried about friends and loved ones. It also has a form through which you can book a safe time for a call from the team.
Refuge‘s website includes a range of resources on identifying the signs of domestic abuse, as well as a safety guide for women, young people and children. It also provides support with legal options and features a tech abuse chat-bot with step-by-step instructional videos on how to secure devices such as phones and laptops. Look for the pink button in the bottom-right corner.
SafeLives has lots of advice on domestic abuse, as well as resources on how to stay safe and where to seek help during the coronavirus pandemic. Click here to visit the SafeLives website.
Safenet offer domestic abuse support services across the North West of England, with support services in Burnley, Lancaster, Blackpool, Rochdale, Preston, Chorley, Leyland and Wyre. Contact them on 0300 3033 581, contact@safenet.org.uk or visit the Safenet website.
Women’s Aid has a range of direct services for survivors, including a live chat service and a survivor’s handbook. There is also an online forum where you can speak to other women in their supportive community of survivors.
You can also find your local domestic abuse service on their website. They also provide information on the support helplines available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them.
Telephone: 0808 801 0327
www.gov.uk offers lots of guidance and information on how to get help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse.
