Domestic abuse

Definition:

We define domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence.

This can be committed by a partner, ex-partner, carer or one or more family members, in an existing or previous domestic relationship.

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 or economic abuse.
• Harassment and stalking.
• Online or digital abuse.

In an emergency contact the Police on 999. 

For direct support with domestic abuse in Norfolk or Suffolk, please reach out to the specialist teams at Anglia Care Trust or Leeway. Norfolk & Suffolk Victim Care does not take referrals for domestic abuse, but we encourage you to contact these services, as they are equipped to offer the help you need.

Anglia Care Trust

Domestic abuse includes any incident or pattern of controlling, emotional, physical, sexual, financial and harassing behaviour. If you are affected by Domestic Abuse and would like to access support, or to speak with our team of advisors, you can call our 24/7 helpline on 0800 977 5690. Our team is here to support you, whether you’re experiencing abuse yourself or are concerned about someone else. Our friendly advisors will listen to you without judgement and guide you on the next steps. This could include signposting you to appropriate services or giving you on the spot safety-planning advice.

If you require ongoing support, our team can help arrange a risk assessment to be completed to ensure that your voice is heard and allows us to refer to longer-term support. If you didn’t wish to speak to someone over the phone, there is also the option to chat to us online at www.suffolkdahelpline.org.uk.

Once a DASH risk assessment has been completed with us or another professional, you may be referred to Anglia Care Trust’s outreach service. Our service supports medium risk victims within Suffolk to monitor and reduce risk, and works with you on a personalised support plan with the goal to keep you safe. Our service users are allocated to Intensive Support Officers who maintain regular contact, providing both emotional and practical support.

Support is available. For more information or to speak with our team, call us any time on 0800 977 5690 or visit www.suffolkdahelpline.org.uk.

Leeway

Leeway was established in 1974 with the help of a £200 start-up grant from Norwich City Council. Over the past four decades the charity has grown from those humble beginnings and we now have twelve safe houses and a team of more than 100 people providing advice, support and information to any adult or child experiencing domestic abuse in Norfolk.

Our free, safe and confidential service is designed to empower those who are experiencing domestic abuse and give them the confidence needed in order to make independent choices about their life. To do this we provide a range of one-on-one and community based services not only for the adults and children of Norfolk, but also those from other areas of the country who require a place of safety.

Helpline – 0300 561 0077

Our domestic abuse helpline is staffed by skilled workers ready to offer free, confidential and non-judgemental advice. Where appropriate they can also make referrals to other Leeway services and external agencies.

The decision making process faced by people who experience domestic abuse are complex. The decision to stay in an abusive relationship may be reasoned and logical. If you are still in a relationship or know someone who is; it may be useful to create a safety plan, see tips below.

1. Agree a code word with a trusted friend, neighbour, relative or professional so they know if you are in danger, distressed and need access to urgent help. Make sure they know the plan and are up dated with any changes.
2. If you or someone you know is thinking of leaving, work out a plan for leaving. Including who to call, where to go and how to get there.
3. Planning an escape route within the home; consider access to phones, access to the outside, access to doors that lock. Identify rooms which are low risk and room that are high risk.
4. Pack an emergency bag and hide this in a safe place which is easily accessible if needed quickly. Some useful things to pack are important documents such as birth certificates and passports, money, spare clothing, financial documents, copies of household bills, legal documents such as marriage certificates or divorce papers, medications and prescriptions.
5. Do children know the emergency plan, do they have a code word that will alert them to call emergency services, is there a plan for where the children can stay safely?