Everyone should feel safe at home - Recognising and responding to domestic abuse camden.gov.uk/domestic-violence
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Everyone
should
feel safe
at home
Recognising and
responding to domestic
abuse
camden.gov.uk/domestic-violence
KNOW
you’re not aloneOne in three women and one in • They will have less
six men experience domestic opportunity to meet with
abuse in their lifetime. We all friends and family and they
have a role to play in preventing may feel it is unsafe to reach
domestic abuse and to help out for help, traditional
provide residents and staff the routes to support such as
support they need, to be safe schools, health services and
and to build an independent workplaces may be less
life for themselves and their accessible.
families.
It is therefore essential that we
Whilst this may not be your area are all extra vigilant during this
of expertise we all can play a part. crisis in order to help those that
This quick guide aims to help you might be most at risk.
recognise the signs of domestic
abuse and where to seek further How do I recognise domestic
help. abuse?
There are a number of key signs
Do I need to be more vigilant of domestic abuse or unhealthy
about domestic abuse during relationships but it’s important to
COVID-19? remember that these behaviours
can vary.
• Nationally there has been a
rise in domestic abuse since Controlling behaviour
the COVID-19 pandemic. Being told what you are
• A number of domestic abuse allowed to do, what to wear and
organisations have reported who you can see. It could also
a 25 per cent increase in calls include someone threatening
and online requests since the to reveal information about the
first lockdown began on 23 survivor without their permission,
March 2020. for example their sexuality or
• Due to the social distancing gender. It can often include
and self-isolation measures in a partner or family member
place, domestic abuse victims withholding medication or
may be trapped at home with deciding if they do or don’t see a
the perpetrator for a long healthcare professional.
period of time.Emotional and Other abuse includes Forced
psychological abuse Marriage, Honour-Based Violence
This can include being and Domestic Servitude.
insulted by a partner or family
member, put down, or How do I ask questions
embarrassed in front of people or around abuse when
made to feel scared or worthless. concerned?
This could leave them questioning
their own judgement or blaming Ensure it is a safe time to speak,
themselves for the treatment. and that there isn’t anybody else
present. Focus on the client’s
Social abuse and isolation feelings.
This could involve being kept
away from family or friends, or • Do you ever feel frightened of
being told who they can speak to your partner or other people at
and when. home?
• Does anyone make you feel
Financial abuse scared or worthless, or leaves
A partner or family member you questioning your own
stops them having access judgement?
to their money, or they take their • Is anyone physically hurting you
money and control what they or making you do something
spend it on. They may also prevent you don’t want to do?
them from working or make them • Have you been in contact with
miss work regularly. friends or family? If not, is
someone stopping you from
Physical violence accessing support?
Physical violence is where • Does anyone monitor who you
someone is harmed or endangered speak to and where you go?
by a partner or family member • Are you able to attend
when they use physical force, appointments on your own?
violence or aggression. • Is anyone preventing you from
having access to any money,
Sexual abuse taking money from you or
This is a form of physical abuse, controlling what you spend
and is any situation where they money on?
might be forced or coerced to
participate in unwanted, unsafe or
degrading sexual activity.Are there factors that put • If it is safe to talk, encourage
individuals at particular high them to call the local domestic
risk from domestic abuse? abuse service; Camden Safety
All forms of domestic abuse Net on 0207 974 2526 or email
need to be taken seriously and camdensafetynet@camden.
responded to. There are factors gov.uk
which we know that put survivors • Do they have a phone?
at high risk. Encourage them to keep it
accessible, with credit and
• Separation or child contact charged at all times. If it is not
dispute safe to speak on the phone,
• Pregnancy or recent birth is it safe to email or text them
• Escalation and severity of to an account which only
violence they access. If they are going
• Cultural issues, isolation shopping for food or exercising
• Stalking, jealousy, harassment ask them to utilise this time to
or controlling behaviour call services for help.
• Sexual assault • In the property avoid the
• Suicide kitchen and bathroom when
they feel unsafe or a situation
Don’t assume that someone else is escalating.
will ask about these. You may be • Would they consider leaving
the only service in contact with the property? Talk through how
the client so use the opportunity. they would leave the property
Showing concern and asking if they felt in danger. Would
about abuse will encourage the they consider a refuge or is
client that it is safe to reach there anyone they could stay
out to you when they are ready. with temporarily?
If you are unsure and or need • Encourage clients to prepare
further advise always contact an emergency bag with
Camden Safety Net on 0207 974 essential items such as ID,
2526. some cash, bank card, clothes
and hide this somewhere safe
What immediate steps can I in the property or with a friend
take: should they need to leave in a
• Encourage them to call the hurry.
police on 999 if they feel at
risk.• Also encourage them to set • Encourage them to contact the
up a code word with a trusted National Domestic Violence
family member, friend or Helpline (08082000247) if it is
professional who they can text safer to call later in the evening.
in an emergency to summon • If they are in immediate danger,
help. This could be an indicator ask if they would like you to ring
to call the police. Encourage 999 or if they are able for them to
the client to talk to children in do themselves.
the property about how to call
for help? Is there a room in the If in immediate danger and they
property they can go to that is are able to ring themselves, silent
safe. Please encourage them to calls can be made to the police by
let the school and social services calling 999, then 55 if they can’t
know they may need help about talk.
the situation at home.
• Obtain consent to refer to a How do I acknowledge a
domestic abuse service (if disclosure
consent is not obtained, but you • If a disclosure of domestic abuse
have high concerns consider is made, these key messages
a referral to the local MARAC). that were created by Refuge are
Please email MARAC@camden. a great way to acknowledge it:
gov.uk • You are not to blame for your
partner’s violence. He/she alone
If it is not safe to talk is responsible, violence is a
• Offer to text the local and/or choice he/she makes.
national domestic abuse number • There are solutions to the
to them and agree a safe way problem. Getting help is a brave
to do this (i.e. text the number and positive step.
backwards). • Take your time to consider your
• If they have access to the options. Take one day at a time,
internet, encourage them to don’t feel pressured into making
Google the Women’s Aid Live any decisions.
Chat and speak to someone • Everyone has a right to live free
online, (chat.womensaid.org.uk). from violence.
• Reaching out for help (talking
about it) is a massive step and
you should be proud of yourself
for doing this!Key contact numbers: North London Rape Crisis
(Solace)
Police Counselling, Groups, Helpline,
T: Emergency 999 (if it is not safe Independent Sexual Violence
to talk, dial 999 and then 55 for Advocacy (ISVA) service
silent calls), Non-emergency 101 T: 0808 801 0305
W: solacewomensaid.org
National Domestic Abuse
Helpline Respect Helpline
T: 0808 200 0247, Freephone For those that are worried about
24-Hour their own behaviour
T: 0808 802 4040
Camden Safety Net W: respectphoneline.org.uk
Independent Domestic and
Sexual Violence Advisory Service Men’s Advice Line
T: 0207 974 2526 Helpline for male victims of abuse
T: 0808 801 0327
Safeguarding adults in W: mensadviceline.org.uk
Camden
If you are worried about an adult LGBT+ Domestic Abuse
in Camden Helpline
T: 020 7974 4000 and select Advice and support
option 1, Out of Hours, T: 0800 999 5428
0207 974 4444 W: galop.org.uk
Safeguarding children in Camden Mental Health,
Camden Crisis Team
If you are worried about a child in Urgent mental health support
Camden T: 020 3317 6333
T: 020 7974 3317, Out of Hours, W: mentalhealthcamden.co.uk
0207 974 4444
National Centre of Domestic
Violence
Civil Injunction support
T: 0800 970 2070
W: ncdv.org.ukOther useful contact Karma Nirvana
numbers: UK Helpline for ‘honour’ based
abuse and forced marriage
Camden Housing Options T: 0800 5999 247
Help with housing W: karmanirvana.org.uk
T: 0207 974 4444
Women @ the well
Camden Housing Repairs Supporting women whose lives
Repairs are affected by prostitution
T: 020 7974 4444 (option 3 T: 020 7520 1710
followed by option 1 and select W: watw.org.uk
your local repairs district), Out of
Hours: 0207 974 4444 Hopscotch
Specialist support for BAME
Hourglass Helpline women and children on a range
Support around elder abuse of services, including domestic
T: 0808 808 8141 abuse
W: wearehourglass.org T: 020 7388 8198
W: hopscotchawc.org.uk
Suzy Lamplugh Trust
National Stalking Helpline and The Sharan Project
Stalking Advocacy services Support for South Asian Women
T: 0808 802 0300 T: 0844 504 3231
W: www.suzylamplugh.org W: sharan.org.uk
Signhealth Victim Support
Support for deaf victims survivors Victim & Witness Service
of abuse Online resource where victims
T: 020 3947 2601, Text 88802 can access a range of tools
with the message 121SIGN, Text to help them cope and move
or WhatsApp/Facetime 07970 forward after crime
350366 T: 0808 168 9291
W: signhealth.org.uk W: londonvws.org.uk/
mysupportspace
KNOW
you’re not alone
Creative Services 2021 - 2500.37You can also read
