Domestic abuse advice pack

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone.

Noticing and acknowledging the signs of an abusive relationship is the first step to ending it. Domestic abuse isn’t just physical; it can be psychological, sexual, financial, and emotional. You might have experienced coercive and controlling behaviour from your abuser. Abusers often use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under their control.

Your abuser may also threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you.

Domestic abuse affects can include the following:

• Impacts on your health and well-being, and that of any children involved
• Mental health problems
• Increased use of drugs and alcohol
• Financial worries

If you are worried about your health, or that of your children, you can contact your G.P.

People stay in abusive relationships for several reasons.

Often this is because:

• They fear there is nowhere else to go
• They worry about how they will manage financially
• They do not want to leave their pets

There is a wide range of organisations and local support groups that can help you and offer further advice and practical guidance on domestic abuse

Clare’s Law - Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme

Clare's Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, was introduced to provide a process for disclosing information which will enable a partner (the applicant) who is in an intimate relationship with a previously violent individual (the subject) to make informed choices about whether and how to take forward that relationship.

The 'Right to Ask' process is where the applicant can make a direct application to the police for information about the subject via phone, attending a Police Station or Officer contact. Visit here for more information and how to apply.

Support services in Essex

Domestic Abuse Partnership – www.setdab.org

South Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB) - Website with advice and information on services for those affected by domestic abuse across Southend, Essex, and Thurrock Local Authority areas.

Essex Compass –www.essexcompass.org.uk 03303337444
Helpline available 8am to 8pm weekdays and 8am to 1pm weekends, messages will be responded to within 24hrs. Trained staff will provide information, advice, and guidance and where appropriate, complete an assessment and ensure contact is made with the most appropriate support service so that the right support is provided at the right time.

Changing Pathways - www.changingpathways.org.uk 0330 333 7 444
Domestic abuse charity working across the areas of Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford, and Thurrock. They provide free and confidential services to support people who are currently experiencing, or have previously experienced domestic abuse, also, stalking and harassment specialists.

Safesteps - www.safesteps.org Helpline and Refuge referrals - Get Help - Southend: 01702 302333
Get Help - Essex (24/7): 0330 3337444
A charity based in Southend-On-Sea, supporting women, men, children, and families who have been affected by domestic abuse.

Next Chapter - www.thenextchapter.org.uk 01206 500585 / 0330 3337444
Provide advice and support to those affected by domestic abuse across Chelmsford, Maldon, Braintree, Colchester, Tendring and Uttlesford areas.

Support services elsewhere in the UK

24hr DA helpline - www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk Freephone 0808 2000 247
Provides support, help and information over the phone, also emergency accommodation for women and children when they are most in need.

Victim Support - www.victimsupport.org.uk Free Support Line 0808 1781694
Help anyone affected by crime – victims, witnesses, friends, and family. This can include emotional support, information, and practical help, either over the phone or face-to-face.

National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) - Freephone 0800 970 2070 www.ncdv.org.uk Offers legal support to DA victims, by helping individuals get emergency injunctions, usually within 24 hours. Please note: Alternatively, other legal services (e.g. local family law solicitors) may be able to help you too.

Men’s Advice Line - www.mensadviceline.org.uk Freephone 0808 8010327 Advice and support line for men experiencing domestic violence and abuse.

Karma Nirvana - www.karmanirvana.org.uk 0800 5999 247
Supporting victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage.

Forced Marriage Unit - www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage 0207 008 0151
Provides advice and support for people suffering or afraid of being subject to forced marriage.

Elder Abuse - AGE UK – 0800 678 1602 / Hourglass – 0808 808 8141 24/7
Charity working across the UK to protect and prevent the abuse of vulnerable older adults.

LGBTQ+ - Galop 0800 999 5428
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.

Al-Non - www.al-anonuk.org.uk - [email protected] 0800 0086 811
Provide support across the UK to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking.

Eastern European Advice Centre - www.eerc.org.uk 0208 741 1288
Charity providing information, advice, and support to people from Central and Eastern Europe, including Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Mankind Initiative - mankind.org.uk 01823 334244
Helping men escape domestic abuse. Confidential helpline available for all men across the UK suffering from domestic abuse by their current or former wife or partner (including same-sex partner).

Dogs Trust - www.dogstrust.org.uk 01268 535050
Provide a dog fostering service for people fleeing domestic abuse.

Cats Protection - Lifeline - Access Lifeline | Domestic violence & pets | Cats Protection
Call: 0345 260 1280 Email: [email protected]
Lifeline (formerly Paws Protect) is a specialist cat-fostering service, supporting survivors with cats to find freedom from domestic abuse.

Also see www.rspca.org.uk regarding other animals

Support services for perpetrators

Respect - Freephone 0808 8024040 www.respectphoneline.org
Perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse can access help and support by contacting the Respect charity. Respect is a confidential and anonymous helpline for anyone concerned about their violence and / or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner.

The Change Project - The Change Project - Relationships: Counselling & Domestic Violence (thechange-project.org) 0800 5003006 is a service that promotes wellbeing by enabling people to have healthy relationships in families, between individuals, and in the community –
[email protected]

Social services have a statutory obligation to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and can provide a wide range of services to children and their parents, usually within the own home environment and co-ordinated by a social worker.

Essex Police record and share information from domestic abuse incidents with partner agencies, such as Social Care and Health, also with relevant schools, depending on this risk involved. Every effort will be made by the authorities to try and protect you and them from harm.

The police can be contacted in an emergency by dialling 999 or 112.
For non-emergency, dial 101.

For those with hearing or speech impairments use Minicom 01245 452828 or text 07624 800101.

There is a translation service available for those who do not speak English.
Free advice can be obtained from Citizens Advice Bureau. Your local Council is also a good source of information/support.

Officers can guide and support you through the criminal justice process and talk through any worries or concerns that you may have. The Witness Care team are also available on 101 extension 484098 or via email [email protected]