Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
• Psychological and/or emotional abuse
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Financial or economic abuse
• Harassment and stalking
• Online or digital abuse

Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviour on the part of the abuser designed to control their partner. It can happen at any point in a relationship, including after you have split up.  Anyone forced to change their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner or ex-partner’s reaction is experiencing abuse.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnicity. 

Domestic abuse is never the fault of the person who is experiencing it.

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. Exposure to domestic abuse and/or violence can have a serious, long lasting emotional and psychological impact on children.

Domestic abuse is a crime.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

If you are suffering, or are aware of someone that is a victim of abuse, please do not suffer in silence. Contact the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge.  Visit the helpline to access further information, a contact form and the live chat service. If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.

0808 200 0247                                       www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

Men’s Advice Line

0808 801 0327                                          www.mensadviceline.org.uk

You can also email the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline giving a number you can be contacted safely at derbyshiredahelpline@theelmfoundation.org.uk

If you're deaf or hearing impaired, or unable to phone, text the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline tel: 07534 617252. Emergency SMS - text: 999.

For the National Domestic Violence 24-hour help line tel: 0808 2000 247.

Silent Solution

If you tel: 999 from a mobile but it is not safe for you to speak, Silent Solution is a system the police use to assess and respond to your call. Tel: 999 and if it's not safe to respond to the BT operator when they ask what service you want, stay connected. If the operator hears any suspicious noise you'll be transferred to the police.

If nothing is heard you may be asked to press 55 - this will connect you to a police call handler. Listen carefully to their questions and instructions so that they can assess your situation and arrange for assistance. This system means that the police can respond to genuine emergencies when people are in danger and accidental or hoax 999 calls do not distract them.

Accidental 999 calls from a landline are less likely so if you tel: 999 from a landline but are unable to speak you will be connected without being asked to enter 55.

Services and helplines

The Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline has details of the provider in your area. They'll give initial advice and guidance and make referrals to these services for you. Tel: 08000 198 668.

The support provided locally includes:

• emergency refuge accommodation
• outreach support in the community, including counselling, and self-esteem and confidence building sessions
• dedicated support for children and young people affected by domestic abuse, both those in refuge and in the community
• the ABC Project for people recognising and wanting to address their abusive behaviour, tel: 07771 379278

The Freedom Programme is a course to help women overcome their experiences of domestic abuse or violence and understand the effects on themselves and their children. For more information contact your health visitor or local children's centre.