Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is the physical, emotional, sexual or mental abuse of one person by someone they know or live with.
Anyone can be affected by domestic abuse - regardless of their gender, age, race, ethnic or religious group, sexuality, disability or lifestyle. Domestic abuse can also take place in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender relationships and can involve other family members.
Domestic abuse can be:
- Physical – pushing, shoving, beating, burning, strangling, kicking, stabbing, killing.
- Sexual - sexual degradation, rape, forced and unwanted sexual practices.
- Psychological - complete control of the person's life, threats to kill the person or the children, enforced social isolation, verbal abuse and threats, constant criticism, sleep deprivation.
- Financial - taking money from the person, denying them money for themselves and/or the children.
- Forced marriage
Our approach to domestic abuse
- We aim to make every effort to assist you if you are suffering domestic abuse. We want to make sure that you receive support. This often means we work in partnership with other specialist agencies to give help.
- We are committed to taking a “victim centred” approach. We will accept your view about what is happening to you, and base our support upon the information you give us.
- If you are suffering domestic abuse, you may face obstacles or dangers when seeking help, and so we will let you choose the level of support that you feel is right for you.
- We will only contact you in ways that you have asked us to, and will organise to meet you or telephone you away from your home if you prefer.
How to report domestic abuse
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you can let us know by calling us on 0300 123 1222 or filling out our safeguarding form.
Remember, if you feel that your own safety or that of your family or your property is being threatened, please phone the police on 999.
Timescales
- We will respond to all complaints about domestic abuse within 24 hours.
- If you would like us to, we will stay in contact with you to give follow up support, such as visits or phone calls, when needed.
We will never take any action or contact the police without your clear permission to do so.
What can we do to help?
Muir will:
- Arrange for a sympathetic member of staff of the same gender to interview you in a location of your choice.
- Agree an action plan with you.
- Discuss the possibility of extra security measures to your property if needed.
- Look at the possibility of a different place to live, on either a temporary or permanent basis.
- Where children are involved, work with community organisations to arrange an immediate place of safety.
- Provide advice on alternative accommodation outside the Association, including advice on whether you can present as homeless to the local authority.
Useful Contacts
The National Domestic Violence Helpline
The 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge is for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends and others calling on their behalf.
Phone: 0808 2000 247
Visit the National Domestic Violence Helpline website
The ManKind Initiative
The ManKind Initiative provides confidential help and support for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence.
Phone: 01823 334244 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)
Visit the ManKind Initiative website
National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Domestic Violence helpline
National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Domestic Violence helpline run by Galop, provides support to LGBT people suffering domestic abuse.
Phone: 0800 999 5428
Respect Phoneline
Respect Phoneline offers confidential advice and support to help domestic violence perpetrators stop being violent and abusive to their partners or ex-partners.
Phone: 0808 802 4040
Visit the Respect Phoneline website
The Counselling Directory
A confidential website service that encourages those in need to seek help and to connect individuals with qualified counsellors in the UK.
www.counselling-directory.org.uk/domestic-violence
The All Wales Domestic Abuse And Sexual Violence Helpline
0808 80 10 800
A free, confidential, 24 hour helpline for women, children and men in Wales who are experiencing, or have experienced domestic abuse, or for anyone who is worried about domestic abuse happening to a friend, family member or colleague.
NSPCC
0808 800 5000
text: 88858
www.nspcc.org.uk
Anyone concerned regarding children at risk can contact this free confidential service offering counselling, information and advice.
ChildLine
0800 1111
ChildLine is a free, confidential service especially for children. Children can call ChildLine about any issue including domestic abuse.
Samaritans
08457 90 90 90
www.samaritans.org
Samaritans provides confidential, non-judgmental, emotional support, 24 hours a day, for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
Victim Support
0845 30 30 900
www.victimsupport.org.uk
supportline@victimsupport.org.uk
Victim Support is the national charity which helps people affected by crime in England and Wales, giving free and confidential support to help people deal with what they have been through as a victim or witness, whether or not they report the crime to the police.