Domestic abuse is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional), between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. Domestic abuse frequently co-exists with child abuse.
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime
- 2-3 women a week are killed by their partners or ex-partners in the UK alone
- Although only a minority of incidents of domestic abuse are reported to the police, the police still receive one call about domestic violence for every minute in the UK
Domestic abuse can affect people of any age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth and geography, every day of the year.
- Government definition of domestic violence and abuse >> (external link)
- New powers help police protect victims of domestic violence (23 June 2014)
Havant parents urged to be aware of signs of teenage abuse
Most parents don’t think that abuse can take place in teen relationships, but it happens all the time. And it can happen to anybody. In a recent national survey one in three teenage girls said they had been sexually abused by a boyfriend. And boys can be victims too. Warning signs that there might be problems in your teenager’s relationship may include:
- Making excuses for a boyfriend or girlfriend
- Spending less time with their friends
- Feeling depressed or being more quiet than usual
- Becoming angry if you ask how they are
It is important to talk with your teenager about the dangers of abusive relationships. If they are in an abusive relationship, you can help them understand that it is not acceptable.
Need to build up your self-confidence? This may help…
The Safer Havant Partnership have provided support to Victim Support to produce a new information pack helping people to be more assertive, to challenge negative thoughts and to take control of their lives.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse or anti-social behaviour, if a community safety problem has been getting you down, or if you just feel you would like to build up your confidence, our leaflet gives exercises, information and advice aimed at working on self esteem:
- Victim Support’s Confidence brochure>> (pdf 697kb)
Report Domestic Abuse
As with any crime, if you are in immediate danger you should call the police on 999.
The police take domestic violence seriously and will be able to help and protect you.
The following organisations also offer support and advice to anyone affected by domestic abuse:
Southern Domestic Abuse Service
Southern Domestic Abuse Service provides a number of services to all victims and survivors who have experienced or who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Southern Domestic Abuse Service runs a refuge offering support and temporary accommodation to women and children escaping domestic abuse. They also offer outreach to families not staying in the refuge but still in need of advice, support and information. Other available support includes:
- Telephone advice
- Counselling
- Individual tailored advice to women, focusing on their current risks and options for safety
- Specially provided workshops
- Play therapy, free play and structured play
- Group and individual sessions for children and young people of all ages
- Holiday activities
- Refuge accommodation
Contact Southern Domestic Abuse Service on:
- Havant: 02392 480 246
- East Hampshire: 01420490109
info@southerndas.org
- Southern Domestic Abuse Service website>> (external link)
English National Domestic Violence Helpline
The Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge, is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf.
Tel: 0808 2000 247
- English National Domestic Violence Helpline website >> (external link)
National Centre for Domestic Violence
The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) provides a free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic violence regardless of their financial circumstances, race, gender or sexual orientation.
Tel: 0844 8044 999
- National Centre for Domestic Violence website >> (external link)
Victim Support
Victim Support is an independent national charity for people affected by any crime. Their volunteers are specially trained to give information, practical help and emotional support to people who have been threatened or abused. Victim Support’s services are confidential, free and available to everyone.
Call the national Victim Supportline 0845 3030 900 or contact your local Victim Support office on 023 92 653111
- Victim Support website >> (external link)
Broken Rainbow National Helpline
Broken Rainbow provides services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who are experiencing domestic abuse. For help and advice call 0800 999 5428.
Men’s Advice Line
The Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for all men experiencing domestic violence by a current or ex-partner. This includes all men – in heterosexual or same-sex relationships.
For information and advice call 0808 801 0327.
- Men’s Advice Line website >> (external link)
Domestic Homicide Review 2016
Domestic Homicide Reviews are carried out to ensure that lessons are learnt when a person has been killed as a result of domestic violence. The Home Office multi-agency statutory guidance defines a Domestic Homicide Review as a review of the circumstances in which the death of a person aged 16 or over, has or appears to have resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by:
- a person whom he/she was related or had been in an intimate personal relationship, or
- a member of the same household
The purpose of a Domestic Homicide Review is to:
- Establish what lessons are to be learned from the domestic homicide regarding the way in which local professionals and organisations work individually and together to safeguard victims
- Identify clearly what those lessons are both within and between agencies, how and within what timescales they will be acted on, and what is expected to change as a result
- Apply those lessons to service responses including changes to policies and procedures as appropriate
- Prevent domestic violence homicide and improve service responses for all domestic violence victims and their children through improved intra and inter-agency working
To date, only one such review has been undertaken in Havant, this was a very sad case involving an elderly couple. The review found that this tragic case could not have been predicted; there is no recorded evidence of domestic abuse in the relationship prior to the incident. Learning from this review may help to more swiftly identify cases of domestic abuse especially within a caring relationship in future, but there is not an identified course of action that could have prevented this death.
The full review has been shared with relevant parties but a summary with learning points can be found below.
- Domestic Homicide Review: Executive Summary >> (PDF 67KB)
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