Domestic Violence

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (which can take a number of different forms including psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adult partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. According to Women’s Aid, one in four women will experience domestic abuse during their lives and sadly, an average of 2 women per week die due to domestic violence. 

All children can witness and be adversely affected by domestic abuse in the context of their home life where domestic abuse occurs between family members. Experiencing domestic abuse and/or violence can have a serious, long lasting emotional and psychological impact on children. In some cases, a child may blame themselves for the abuse or may have had to leave the family home as a result. 27 Young people can also experience domestic abuse within their own intimate relationships. This form of peer on peer abuse is sometimes referred to as ‘teenage relationship abuse’

What to do if you are experiencing domestic abuse or are worried about someone else. 

If you have experienced sexual or domestic violence or abuse, the effects can be devastating and long-lasting.  A traumatic event or exposure to long-term abuse can impact on your capability to lead a normal life - both emotionally and socially.   You may be physically hurt, suffering emotional difficulties and feeling overwhelmed.  You may not know who to turn to for support.  You may want to report the crime against you but not know where to start.  In these situations, it's important that you are able to reach out for help, to someone you can trust.

Furthermore, if we suspect any child is a victim of domestic abuse, we will refer to Children Social Services and, in some cases, the police.

Please find below a list of resources aimed at supporting families and individuals that may suffer from domestic abuse. You can also contact the academy if you need assistance.

Local Support

These organisations offer confidential support, advice, and refuge for individuals experiencing domestic violence or children witnessing such situations. They aim to create a safe environment and provide resources to help break the cycle of abuse. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, don't hesitate to reach out to these services.

Other Support

• National Domestic Violence Helpline: Contact the Freephone 24 hour helpline run by Women’s Aid and Refuge 0808 2000 247. Speak to them and they will give you the support and help find out and/or access services that are locally available
• Police: Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger. Call 101 at all other times. Report online at www.met.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/how-to-report-a-crime/ How do you call the police on 999 when you can't speak? When you phone 999, an operator will ask what emergency service you need. If there is no answer, the operator will then ask you to cough, or make another audible sign that you're in need of police assistance. If you're in too much danger to make any sound at all, the call will be put through to an automated system which asks the caller to press 55 if they're in danger. If 55 isn't dialled, the police will not be dispatched.
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline: Phone 0808 200 0247 , If you are not able to speak, you can reach the helpline online at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us. A national service for women experiencing domestic abuse, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf. As well as advice it can offer access to emergency refuge accommodation. If you are worried about someone experiencing domestic abuse you can find tips and support at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Supporting-a-survivor      
• Bright Sky App: Bright Sky is a free to download mobile app providing support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know. It is disguised as a weather app. 

Apple download apps.apple.com/gb/app/bright-sky/id1105880511 

Google Play download play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.newtonmobile.hestia&hl=en_GB

 

• Victim Support: Phone 0808 168 9291 Free advice and support, Mon - Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 9am–5pm 
• National Stalking Helpline: Phone  0808 802 0300, Provides guidance and information to anybody who is currently or has previously been affected by harassment or stalking.
• Men’s Advice Line: Phone 0808 801 0327 Advice and support for men in abusive situations.
• Galop: Phone  0300 999 5428, Email  help@galop.org.uk, Helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender people experiencing domestic abuse or hate crime.
• Respect: Phone  0808 802 4040 , Free helpline for anyone concerned about their own behaviour. Respect offers support services for perpetrators of domestic abuse, young people who use violence and abuse at home and in relationships, and men who are victims of domestic violence.
• Childline: Phone  0800 1111, A private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. 
• The Hideout: An online space to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it's happening to you.Love Don’t Feel Bad For 16-25 year olds, exploring healthy relationships, how to get help and the law.
• Iranian & Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO): Phone  020 7920 6460 Mon to Fri 9.30-5.30 IKWRO provides advice and support to Middle Eastern women and girls living in the UK who are facing ‘honour’ based violence, domestic abuse, forced marriage or female genital mutilation. Emergency numbers 24hrs Kurdish / Arabic  07846 275246              Farsi / Dari / Turkish  07846 310157
• Southall Black Sisters: Phone  020 8571 0800, A holistic service to help women and children escape violence and abuse (including forced marriage and honour crimes) and deal with a range of related problems, and meeting the needs of black (Asian and African-Caribbean) and minority ethnic women. 
• FCO Forced Marriage Unit: Phone  020 7008 0151 (or 0044 20 7008 0151 if you are overseas)