Domestic Abuse 

Domestic abuse involves a person using behaviours to hurt, harm or control another person.

It doesn’t discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, gender, disability, sexuality or religion, but we also know that women are disproportionately affected.

Domestic abuse now has a legal definition – and it is a criminal offence. It is not something to be hidden or ignored, and there is support available.

It can take many forms and can be difficult to spot – even for those who are experiencing it. Abuse may be psychological and emotional, physical, sexual, financial and economic, stalking and harassment, online or digital, elder abuse, adolescent to parent, honour-based violence, or forced marriage.

Some of the signs of domestic abuse are:

  • Bullying, threats and control
  • Taking control of your finances
  • Becoming isolated or cut off from family, friends or other support networks
  • Physical and/or sexual abuse
  • Monitoring or limiting going out or using technology
  • Accusations of infidelity or flirting

These can have a huge effect on someone’s life, including relationships with friends and family, work life and self-confidence. Domestic abuse can have a devastating impact on children too, with lifetime effects – by seeing, hearing, or experiencing the behaviours means they are considered as victims too.

Support and Advice

  • In an emergency, call the police on 999.  If you are unable to speak, cough or tap your phone so they know it is a genuine call and that you need the police.
  • The National Domestic Abuse helpline is available 24 hours a day, you can call 0808 2000 247
  • After reporting it, call us for housing advice and support on 01626 322722, option 2, and a trained member of staff will get back to you within one working day. You can also complete the form below

If you are worried that you are inflicting abuse or violence on someone else or worried that you may do so in the future, you can also access free, confidential help. It takes courage to admit you are doing wrong. See the next section ‘How do I get help to stop?’ for more information.

We’ll keep in regular contact with you and keep a log of everything you tell us.

We can give advice and support on restraining orders and injunctions and make referrals to other agencies. We’ll work closely with those agencies to make sure you get the help you need.

If you need to leave your home, we can help you find a safe place to live. If you want to stay at home, we can provide additional security measures. We can also give you advice on applying for benefits and help you fill out the forms.

We’ll listen to you, believing what you tell us, and will contact you safely, in a way and time that suits you.

We’ll treat what you tell us confidentially but, if we’re concerned that someone is at risk of serious harm, we do have to pass this information on to the police.

We’ll be clear about what we can do and we’ll help you find specialist support. If you want to take action against your abuser, we can support you.

FearFree
A specialist domestic abuse service covering Devon. Whether you’re experiencing domestic abuse, concerned about your own behaviour or looking to get back to work, they are there to support you. Visit the FearFree website or call them on 0345 155 1074

National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Provided by Refuge, you can contact the 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247 for support, advice and safety planning or visit their website for more information,  where you can also talk to them through the live chat.

National Centre for Domestic Violence
A free, fast emergency injunction service to those at risk of all forms of domestic abuse, regardless of their financial situation, ethnicity, gender or sexuality. They provide free immediate advice on their helpline 0800 970 2070, and there is also information on their website .

Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. On their website they have a survivor’s handbook, a supportive online community of domestic abuse survivors and practical support for anyone worried about friends or family.

ManKind Initiative
ManKind’s confidential helpline is available for male victims of domestic abuse, as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers. Call 0808 800 1170 (will not show on your bills) or 01823 334 244 (for those with inclusive minutes). Available 10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays.  You can read more on their website.

Respect Men’s Advice Line
The Men’s Advice Line is there for all male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them. Anyone who feels it is the right service for them is welcome to get in touch, including trans and non-binary people. Call for free on 0808 801 0327 (will not show on your bills), available 10am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays.  Visit their website for more information.

Galop  
A national Helpline for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse or violence, such as hate crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence, so-called “conversion therapy” or any other kind of abuse. The Galop Helpline offers emotional support, guidance and help to explore what options may be available to anyone aged 18+ who is experiencing or has experienced violence and abuse.  Call 0800 999 5428. The helpline hours vary each day, so visit their website to check.

Hourglass
Hourglass’s confidential services provide information and support to an older person, or anyone concerned about an older person who is at risk of, experiencing or recovering from any form of abuse or neglect. They have a 24-hour helpline 0808 808 8141 and other advice and contact methods on their website.

Karma Nirvana
Working to end honour-based abuse, Karma Nirvana provides a helpline available to all ethnic backgrounds, sexualities, gender identities and nationalities. They can be called for free on 0800 5999 247. Available 10am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays.

Forced Marriage Unit
The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) provides support to victims and is jointly run by the Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The FMU offers information and support to those who fear they will be forced into marriage and can talk with them about their options. You can call the helpline on 020 7008 0151, available 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays.

Suzy Lamplugh Trust
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust National Stalking Helpline is a free service offering advice to victims of stalking. You can call for free on 0808 802 0300. The helpline hours vary each day, so visit the website to check. 

Respect Phoneline
Providing help and support for domestic abuse perpetrators to take steps to change their behaviours. They can be called for free on 0808 802 4040, available 10am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays.  You can also visit their website for more information.

Bright Sky app
Bright Sky is a safe, easy-to-use website and app  for anyone experiencing domestic abuse or wanting help for someone they know, with signposting to local support.

Hollie Guard app
A free app (monthly payment required for enhanced features) which turns your smartphone into a safety device. Visit the website to find out more.

If you’re worried that someone may see what you have been looking at online, there are a few things you can do to minimise the chances of them finding out, like deleting your browser history. There is useful information on the National Domestic Abuse website, including other tips on staying safe while using tech.

Please remember that although clearing your history minimises the chances of someone knowing what websites you have visited, there are other means of finding this out if you know how.

The safest way to access sites if you want to be completely sure of not being tracked online, is to use a computer at a local library, an internet cafe, a friend’s house or at work. 

Respect Phoneline is a confidential helpline, email and webchat service for domestic abuse perpetrators and those supporting them.  They support men and women who are using abuse in same-sex or heterosexual relationships, from anywhere in the UK.

Respect Phoneline is for anyone who’s concerned about their use of violence and abuse towards their partner, and for those supporting them: friends or family members and Frontline Staff working with abusers, are welcome to call for information and support. Visit the Respect Phoneline website for more information.

Telephone support – 0808 8034040. Available Monday-Friday, 10am to 5pm. Calls are free and will not appear on itemised bills.

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