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
Please contact us or talk to your housing officer, so we can refer you to specialist organisations who can offer you support and advice. Our contact details are on this page.
You can also ring the National Domestic Abuse 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit their website for advice.
Can I stop someone from seeing what I’ve been searching for online?
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.
What will you do if I report domestic abuse?
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.
How can Teign Housing help?
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.
How do I report domestic abuse?
- 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.
How do I get help to stop
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.
Email support – info@respectphoneline.org.uk Available Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Report Domestic Abuse Form
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