Awareness of Domestic Abuse
Today we would like to raise awareness of domestic abuse. For anyone who is experiencing or is at risk of abuse, there is help and support available.
What is domestic abuse?
Women’s Aid defines domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer.
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 abuse
- Harassment and stalking
- Online or digital abuse
On the Women’s Aid website there is a COVID-19 Resource Hub which includes support and advice during the Coronavirus crisis.
Where to get support and advice
There is a 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline available on 0808 2000 247 which is a free and confidential service. This is run by the charity Refuge and the website www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk also has useful information on abuse, rights, and advice on the support that is available.
The gov.uk website also has a list of organisations that offer support for men and women.
For Wrekin customers, there are a number of websites containing useful information on our Domestic Abuse page.
If you are concerned about someone experiencing abuse, please call the helpline number on 0808 2000 247.
How to report incidents of Domestic Abuse
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.
For those using mobile phones, there is a system in place called the Silent Solution for people who are in danger, but are unable to talk freely on the phone. Call 999 and respond by coughing or tapping the headset if you can’t easily speak. If prompted, press 55 and you will be put through to the police. You can read more about the Silent Solution here.
If you are concerned about someone experiencing abuse, please call the DA helpline number on 0808 2000 247.
20th July 2020