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Domestic Abuse

What is Domestic Abuse?

The Home Office (2013) defines domestic abuse as;

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:

  • psychological
  • physical
  • sexual
  • financial
  • emotional

Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Coercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.”

This definition, which is not a legal definition, includes so called ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, and is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group.

Whatever the situation, if you, a family member or a friend, are being abused, threatened, physically or sexually assaulted by a partner, ex-partner or family member, this is domestic abuse, also called domestic violence. Remember:

  • Domestic violence and abuse are not acceptable
  • Anyone experiencing domestic violence and abuse is not blame
  • You are not alone. Help and support is available.

Always call 999 if someone is in danger.

  • How to get help

    How to get help

    For Women, Men, Children and Young People:

    • The Portal provides a single point of contact for victims and survivors of domestic or sexual abuse and violence, helping them to find the right help, advice and support. The Portal can also give advice and support to friends, families and professionals. Call 0300 323 9985

    For people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities:

    • Help and support is available locally from the services listed in this section
    • Brighton & Hove currently offer a specialist provision specifically for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people affected by rape or any form of sexual violence Hope, which can be accessed through The Portal
    • For information on other national services, follow this link.

    For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* People:

    • The Portal provides a specialist service to support any Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans* person experiencing domestic violence and abuse. For confidential support and advice contact the LGBTQI Service on 07581 466 438
    • Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard run a helpline, which offers a supportive, non-judgemental and confidential space for LGBT people as well as for their family, friends and supporters. The helpline is run by trained volunteers. You can call each evening about anything that’s on your mind, to receive information or get emotional support. The helpline is open from 5-9pm on weekdays an 5-7pm at weekends. Call 01273 204050

    Anyone can:

    • Contact Sussex Police by calling 101
    • Drop in for free specialist information and advice at the weekly Domestic Abuse Surgery.

    There are also national helplines available:

    • 24hr National Domestic Violence Helpline, which is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence and abuse, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf. Call freephone on 0808 2000 247
    • The National Stalking Helpline provides guidance and information to anybody who is currently or has previously been affected by harassment or stalking. Call freephone on 0808 802 0300
    • The Men’s Advice Line, which provides advice and support heterosexual, gay, bisexual and trans men experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Call freephone on 0808 801 0327
    • The Respect Phone Line, which provides confidential and anonymous helpline for anyone concerned about their violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner. Call freephone on 0808 802 4040
    • Broken Rainbow Domestic Violence Helpline, which provides advice and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people. Call 0300 999 5428.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is domestic abuse?

      

    Domestic abuse is a incident or a pattern of controlling, abusive or violent behaviour.It may be:

    • Emotional – shouting, threats to harm you, humiliation, intimidation, restricting where you can go or who you can see
    • Physical – punching, slapping, stalking, kicking, burning, strangling or raping
    • Sexual – using force, intimidation to make you perform sexual acts, having sex with you when you don’t want to
    • Financial – denying you access to money, taking your money, preventing you from getting or keeping a job, taking or destroying your possessions

    Domestic abuse includes forced marriage, so-called ‘honour’-based violence and female genital mutilation.

    You can find out more about domestic abuse if you follow this link. You can also find about the UK Government’s definition of domestic violence and abuse if you follow this link.

    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse

  • Who can experience domestic abuse?

      

    Although heterosexual women most most frequently experience domestic violence and abuse, it can happen in any relationship regardless of age, disability, gender identify, race, religion, belief, sex or sexual orientation. Women’s Aid have produced a range of fact sheets which provide information, statistics and references on domestic violence and abuse. To access these fact sheets, follow this link.

    In Brighton & Hove, there are a range of services available. The details for key local and national services are included in the section ‘How to Get Help’, with further services listed in the section ‘Useful Links’.

    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse

  • Can domestic abuse affect children and young people?

      

    In the majority of families where there are children, and where abuse is being perpetrated, the children will be aware of this, and will often hear it or see it going on. Children who witness domestic violence and abuse are being abused emotionally and may also be directly abused.

    The Hide Out is a resource for children and young people. You can access this if you follow this link.

    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse

  • How can I stay safe?

      

    You can’t stop your abuser’s violence and abuse – only they can do that – but there are things you can do to increase your own and your children’s safety either in the relationship or if you leave, including developing a personal safety plan:

    • Stay in touch & talk to your family, friends, co-workers or support networks
    • Contact the agencies in the section ‘How to get help’ for further information and support
    • Take threats seriously, and plan how you might respond in different situations
    • Know where you will go in a crisis and how you will get there.
    • Hide an emergency bag somewhere safe and pack an extra set of car keys, ID documents, birth certificates, insurance cards, medication, driving licence etc

    You could also contact a local service like RISE or Victim Support for information and advice, or speak with a national helpline. Remember in an emergency, call 999.

    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse

  • How can I help a family member or friend stay safe?

      

    Knowing that a family member or friend is experiencing domestic violence and abuse is hard, knowing what to say is even harder. There are a range of resources available that can help you decide how best to raise this with your family member or friend. There are also resources available to help you give useful advice. These include a series of booklets produced by AVA, which have been written for friends, family, parents and partners who are supporting people who are / have been in unsafe relationships. You can access these by following this link.

    You could also contact a local service like RISE or Victim Support for information and advice, or speak with a national helpline. Remember in an emergency, call 999.

    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse

  • How can I help an employee stay safe?

      

    When people are living with domestic violence and abuse, it is likely to affect their work. This could include their performance, productivity, health and safety at work, and their attendance record. There are a range of resources available to help employers ensure they can respond to domestic violence and abuse:

    • Women’s Aid has produced advice for employers, which you can access by following this link.
    • CAADA has recently released new guidance for employers and employees, which has been produced in collaboration with the Department of Health. You can access this by following this link.

    You could also contact the RISE helpline for information and advice. Remember in an emergency, call 999.

    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse

  • Can domestic abuse affect heterosexual men?

      

    We know that heterosexual men can experience domestic and violence and abuse, or witness this as children. Victim Support and Rise, who are working together with support from Sussex Police and Brighton & Hove City Council, have developed a care pathway for heterosexual men in the city.

    • Contact Victim Support for help and support.

    There are also specialist national helplines available for people experiencing domestic abuse, including heterosexual men.

    • Contact the the Men’s Advice Line or the Respect Phone Line for information and advice.
    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse

  • What is the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme?

      

    The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) was launched by the Home Office on 8 March 2014. You may have heard the scheme referred to as ‘Clare’s Law’

    The aim of the DVDS is to enable potential victims to make an informed choice about whether to continue with a relationship if a new or current partner has a history of violence or abuse. It also aims to provide help and support to assist a potential victim when making that informed choice.

    For more information on the scheme, including how to make a ‘Right to Ask’ application, follow this link to Sussex Police.

    If you are a professional looking for more information on the scheme, follow this link.

    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse

  • Can domestic abuse affect LGBTQI people?

      

    We know that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people can experience domestic and violence and abuse, or witness this as children. Rise has a specialist service to support any LGBTQI person experiencing domestic violence and abuse.

    • Contact the RISE LGBTQI service for help and support.

    There are also a specialist national helpline available for LGBTQI people experiencing domestic abuse.

    • Contact Broken Rainbow for information and advice.
    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse

  • What is the Amber Card?

      

    A key part of our local strategy is about raising awareness (so that everyone knows that violence or abuse are not ok) and making sure there are consistent care pathways in the city (so everyone knows about the help & support that is available).

    Because violence & abuse are so often hidden, our ambition is to ensure that victim/survivors can access information and support wherever they may be. With this in mind, the partnership has produced a range of promotional materials:

    • The local ‘Amber Card’, which includes information on local and national services and what domestic and sexual violence & abuse might be like, as well as basic advice on safety (cover, inside)
    • A range of posters, which are targeted at victim/survivors of domestic violence & abuse (female version, male version) and sexual violence & abuse (female version, male version), and include information on local and national services.

    These materials include the following key messages:

    • You are not alone
    • No one deserves to experience violence or abuse
    • You don’t have to put up with it
    • You are not to blame
    • Help and support is available.

    You can order hard copies of the ‘Amber Card’ or posters for use in your service or agency by emailing community.safety@brighton-hove.gov.uk

    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse
    Sexual Abuse

  • Are there specialist services for people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities?

      

    There are a range of national services that can provide help and support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people affected by domestic violence & abuse or sexual violence & abuse, including:

    Ashiana Network

    Ashiana Network offers advice, training, counselling and support services to women and girls aged 14+ experiencing domestic violence, forced marriage, and/or sexual violence.

    Based in East London, the organisation runs three refuges for South Asian, Turkish and Iranian women. Two refuges are for women aged 16-25 with no children experiencing forced marriage and one is for women aged 16-30 with no children. Ashiana provides resettlement services for 3-6 months for refuge residents.

    Ashiana also has a caseworker for Harmful Practices: Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage & Female Genital Mutilation.

    Tel: 020 8539 0427

    Email: info@ashiana.org.uk

    Website: www.ashiana.org.uk

    Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Home Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU)

    The FMU is a joint government unit, which operates in the UK and overseas where consular assistance is provided to British nationals, including dual nationals.

    The unit operates a public helpline to provide advice and support to victims of forced marriage as well as to professionals dealing with cases. The assistance ranges from simple safety advice, through to aiding a victim to prevent their unwanted spouse moving to the UK and in extreme circumstances, to rescues of victims held against their will overseas.

    It is a criminal offence in the UK to force someone to marry and can result in a sentence of up to 7 years in prison.

    Tel: 020 7008 0151

    Email: fmu@fco.gov.uk

    Website: www.gov.uk/forced-marriage

    FORWARD UK

    FORWARD (Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development) is an African Diaspora women-led campaign and support charity dedicated to advancing and safeguarding the sexual and reproductive health and rights of African girls and women.

    FORWARD works to change practices and policies that affect access, dignity and wellbeing in the UK, Europe and Africa and tackles female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage and related rights of girls and young women.

    In March 2004, the new UK Female Genital Mutilation Act makes FGM prohibited by law whether it is committed against a UK national or permanent UK resident in the UK or abroad.

    If you are at risk or suspect someone is at risk, you can ring FORWARD for support and advice.

    Tel: 020 8960 4000

    Fax: 020 8960 4014

    Website: www.forwarduk.org.uk

    Friends, Families And Travellers (FFT)

    FFT seeks to end racism and discrimination against Gypsies and Travellers, whatever their ethnicity or background, whether settled or mobile and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life.

    FFT provides advice and information for Gypsies and Travellers on a wide range of issues including education, health, legal, housing and homelessness. FFT works to bridge Gypsies and Travellers into mainstream services including those providing domestic violence support.

    Tel: 01273 234 777

    Email: fft@gypsy-traveller.org

    Website: www.gypsy-traveller.org/

    Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO)

    IKROW’s mission is to protect Middle Eastern and Afghan women and girls who are at risk of ‘honour-based’ violence, forced marriage, child marriage, FGM, and domestic violence and to promote their rights.

    IKROW provides direct services for women and girls, including advocacy, training and counselling. Staff also provide advice and support to professionals from bodies such as the police, social services and schools.

    IKRO offers advice in Farsi, Kurdish, Dari, Arabic, Turkish and Pashto.

    Tel: 020 7920 6460 (Mon-Fri 9.30-5.30)

    Out of hours emergencies:

    Tel: 07846 275246 (Kurdish/Arabic 24 hrs)

    Tel: 07846 310157 (Farsi/Dari/Turkish 24 hrs)

    A form to send a secure email is available on the website.

    Website: http://ikwro.org.uk/

    Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS)

    LAWRS’ Violence Against Women prevention project offers advice, advocacy and practical support for Latin American women who are experiencing or have experienced any form of violence. Support consists of:

    • Telephone and face-to-face advice and casework
    • Advocacy to secure legal protection, rights and entitlements
    • Securing safe and emergency accommodation
    • Referrals to therapy, welfare, employment and language support services
    • Informing women of their rights

    LAWRS works with trusted lawyers, refuges, health and other services to secure specialist support for all Latin American women regardless of their status, income, age or sexuality.

    All services are free, confidential and are available in Spanish and Portuguese. A crèche facility is available for users with young children.

    Tel: 020 7336 0888 / 084 4264 0682

    Website: www.lawrs.org.uk

    Website in Spanish: http://lawrs-esp.org.uk

    Website in Portuguese: www.lawrs-port.org.uk

    Southall Black Sisters (SBS)

    SBS is a not-for-profit organisation set up to meet the needs of black and minority ethnic women.

    Based in Southall, London, the organisation provides a range of advice and support services to enable BME women to gain the knowledge and confidence they need to assert their human rights.

    SBS provides general and specialist advice on gender-related issues such as domestic violence, sexual violence, forced marriage, ‘honour’ killings and their intersection with the criminal justice, immigration and asylum systems; health, welfare rights, homelessness and poverty.

    Helpline: 020 8571 0800

    General Enquiries: 020 8571 9595

    Website: www.southallblacksisters.org.uk

    Government Home Office UK Border Agency

    Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain as a victim of domestic violence

    If a woman’s relationship with a British citizen or someone settled in the UK has broken down because of domestic violence, she may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (permission to stay in the UK permanently).

    For more information and to obtain the application form SET (DV) for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK as a Victim of Domestic Violence, follow this link.

    Applying for access to public funds

    If a woman is in the UK on a temporary visa as a partner, the relationship has broken down because of domestic violence and the woman has no money to support herself, she can ask for permission to claim public funds (benefits) for up to 3 months while UK Visas and Immigration considers her application to settle in the UK.

    For more information and to obtain the application form for the Destitution Domestic Violence (DDV) concession, follow this link.

    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse
    Female Genital Mutilation
    Sexual Abuse

  • Can stalking only be done by a stranger?

      

    A stalker does not have to be a stranger, although they can be, such as the stalking of someone in the public eye or where someone is targeted because of their race, disability, sexual orientation or religion.However, the majority of stalkers are known to their victims such as ex-partners, a friend, neighbour, colleague or an acquaintance.

    Sometimes the link to the person maybe historic such as someone you dated in the past, or an ex work colleague.

    Just because you know or knew the stalker does not mean that the situation is your fault. It is still stalking and it is wrong.

    Related subjects: 
    Domestic Abuse