A Practical Guide to anyone experiencing Domestic Violence and Abuse
The information on this page is taken from a "A Practical Guide to Anyone Experiencing Domestic Violence and Abuse" published by the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Community Safety partnership during 2008/2009. Copies of the booklet are available free of charge on request from our office.
1. Introduction
If you are experiencing domestic violence and abuse, you are not alone. There are many organisations in Cornwall that offer support.
The information on this page has been produced to provide information for anyone experiencing domestic violence and abuse. It tells you about the support available and what you can do if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
Seeking help is a positive step in ending the abuse and living free from the fear.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence and abuse covers a range of abusive and controlling behaviours. It can take the form of emotions and psychological abuse including being controlled, feeling intimidated and being told what to do.
It may be physical abuse, such as being hit or burnt and made to do things you do not want to. The abuser could be your partner or family member; it may be that they control you by not letting you have access to money or isolating you from friends and family.
If you are not sure whether what you are experiencing is domestic violence and abuse, please call one of the specialist services below and talk to a support worker.
If personal relationships lead to abuse, the situation is hard to cope with. If you are in fear of someone with whom you are having a relationship or have had a close personal relationship, support and information is available to help you make choices about your future safety, whether you live with them or not.
Domestic violence and abuse can continue even after a relationship has ended.
2. Practical Steps
This section outlines some steps you can take to protect yourself and assist if you are considering leaving the relationship.
IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 999
The Police have specialist officers throughout Cornwall who are trained to offer expert advice and guidance to those who report an incident.
Personal Safety Plan
Having a personal safety plan is essential if you or your children are living in a violent or abusive home. This personal safety plan is designed with safety in mind, whether you stay in the relationship or choose to leave.
In an emergency the most important single factor is the physical safety of yourself and any children you may have. Below are some steps to follow but please remember that every person’s situation is different, you may need to take all or only some of these steps and not necessarily in this order.
Identify one or more neighbours you can confide in and ask that they call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.
Devise a codeword to use with your children, family and friends and neighbours when you need them to call the police.
Decide and plan where you will go if you have to leave home (even if you don’t’ think you will ever need it).
Always remember - you don’t deserve to be hit or threatened.
Have a bag ready and consider keeping key documents in one place – perhaps even at a relative’s or friend’s home. You should consider:
- Money: ensure you have enough money put away in case you need a taxi, bus, coach or train fare quickly. Ensure you have your cheque, savings and giro books, credit cards, current and unpaid bills.
- Child benefit / other benefit books: these will have your National Insurance Number which you may need to make a claim for other benefits.
- Passport: make sure you take your children’s passports if they have them.
- Other legal, financial papers: – for example, medical, marriage and birth certificates, rent books, mortgage details.
- Keys: have an extra set made of house, car and office keys.
- Emergency addresses and contact numbers: school, GP, Domestic Violence Guide.
- Medicine and baby provision: nappies, baby milk, food.
- Clothes: take the essential items and extra clothes for the children.
- Children’s toy: sometimes it is difficult to carry much but your children may be confused and upset by what is happening and a special toy or comforter can help settle them.
- Personal items: photographs, diary, jewellery, small items of sentimental value, mobile phone and charger.
In an emergency it is always better to leave something or everything behind than put you and your children’s safety at risk.
After a violent incident
- Get to a safe place
- Call the police
- If your partner injures you, see your doctor or attend hospital as soon as possible
- If you feel able, disclose how your injuries came about
- Contact one of the agencies below for advice and support.
Safety in the home
If you do not live with the abuser or he or she has left the home, it is important that you take some or all of the following steps to stay safe:
Consider additional locks and safety devices. There are schemes called “Sanctuary” throughout Cornwall that will provide security measures to make your home safe. This is a free scheme to increase safety and is open to anyone who has been subjected to domestic violence and abuse, hate, crime, or threatened with violence. Contact Cornwall Council Housing Advice service for information or to request this service.
Discuss a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.
Inform the children’s school, nursery etc. about who has permission to pick up your children.
Inform neighbours and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see him/her near your home.
3. Where to go for Support and Advice.
Please note these are not emergency services, if you or your child are in immediate danger always call 999 and ask for the Police.
Throughout Cornwall there are a variety of organisations and general advice centres that provide a range of support for anyone experiencing domestic violence or abuse. The following specialist domestic violence and abuse agencies can offer the intensive and specialist support and advice which many people need. Section 4 (below) provides details of more general advice and information services available to you.
Some of the organisations listed here can refer you to other support services if necessary, which may assist with your situation
Broken Rainbow: 0800 5875247
Advice and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender victims of domestic violence and abuse
Cornwall Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre: 01872 262100
Counselling and Support Services for anyone who has been
raped or sexually abused.
Monday and Tuesdays 9.00am -5.00pm, Wednesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays - hours variable. Answer phone outside office hours.
NSPCC: 01872 245230
Provides support for children and their carers in the
aftermath of domestic abuse. Supports the relationship between the
child and non abusing carer and works to help children and young
people come to terms with their experiences and manage their
feelings.
St Austell Refuge: 01726 871244 (not 24 hour)
Provides access to emergency accommodation.
SUsie Project: 0845 0567999
Supports women survivors of domestic violence and abuse to
overcome barriers to learning and employment, developing skills, and
enhancing self esteem.
Cornwall Women’s Refuge Trust: 01872 225629
Telephone helpline (24 hour) and provides support, advice
and access to safe emergency accommodation.
Victim Support: 0845 0567999
Provides emotional support, practical help and information
for male and female victims of domestic abuse.
WAVES: 01872 2254506
Provides counselling service, therapy and group support.
West Cornwall Women’s Aid: 01736 367539
Telephone helpline (Monday-Friday 10am-3pm) and provides
outreach support, counselling and access to safe emergency
accommodation.
Women’s Domestic Violence Support Network: 01208 79992
(not 24 hour)
Provides a helpline, support, advice and advocacy to women and
teenage girls who have experienced all forms of domestic violence
and abuse.
Women’s Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre:
01208 77099
Provides a free confidential helpline and support service
to women and teenage girls who have experienced any form of sexual
violence and abuse at any time in their lives.
Young Women’s Support Network: 01208 76466
Provides support services aimed specifically at young women
between the ages of 16 and 25 who have experienced domestic violence
and/or sexual violence.
National Advice and Support Services
BAWSO Black Association of Women Step Out: 0292 043 7390
Broken Rainbow (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender domestic violence and abuse) national helpline: 08452 604460
JAW Jewish Women’s Aid (Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 9.30pm): 0800 591 203
Kiran Asian Women’s Aid (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm): 0208 5581 986
Muslim Women’s Helpline (Monday to Friday) 10.00am to 1.00pm: 0208 9048 193
NCPCC (24 hours): 0800 800 500
Shakti Women’s Aid (voluntary organisation offering support to all black minority ethnic women) (Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm): 01314 752 399
Victim Support Helpline (Monday to Friday 9.00am to 9.00pm and Saturday – Sunday 9.00am to 7.00pm): 0845 303 0900
Respect (perpetrators) (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm): 0845 122 8609
Women’s Aid help line (24 hour): 0808 200 0247
Support for Male Survivors
Mankind Initiative (10.00am to 4.00pm & 7.00pm – 9.00pm weekdays): 01823 334244
Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
4. General Help and Advice
Anyone experiencing domestic violence and abuse may need to address multiple problems: where to live, how to ensure and income, how to tell family and friends, how to support the children ….. the list goes on. This is all at a time when you are likely to be feeling emotional and distressed due to the probable break down of your relationship, made worse by the very real fear of physical violence. As a result people reporting domestic violence and abuse will be in need of wide ranging advice.
The advice centres listed give a range of general advice.
Citizens Advice Bureaux
The Citizens Advice Service helps people resolve their
legal, money and other problems by providing free information and
advice. To contact your local Bureau telephone: 0844 499 4188
Relate: 01726 74128
Provides counselling for individual and couples experiencing
relationship problems. They also provide child contact centres.
Samaritans: 01872 277277
Samaritans provide confidential non-judgmental emotional support, 24
hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or
despair.
5. Accommodation and Housing Advice
Most people leaving a relationship will have accommodation matters to sort out. If you live in council or housing association accommodation, or are homeless or at risk of being made homeless you should seek advice in the first instance from your landlord or the Housing Advice team at Cornwall Council. You will be able to speak to a housing officer who will be able to give you advice and explore the options open to you. In addition, there are other organisations which can offer housing advice.
Housing related support aimed at developing and maintaining your ability to live independently in your accommodation is available in Cornwall. This could include helping with:
- Managing your money
- Settling into a new home
- Developing social skills and social contacts
- Maintaining a tenancy
- Staying safe and secure
The services provided are free and each Housing Advice centre will be able to provide information.
If you live in owner occupied or privately rented accommodation you may need advice on how to ensure you do not lose your home. Advice is best sought from your local housing office, specialist housing advice centre or a solicitor.
Where to go for support and advice
Housing Advice
Cornwall Council can be contacted:
- via your local one stop shop,
- by telephoning 0300 1234 161 or the main switchboard on 0300 1234 100,
- by emailing to housing@cornwall.gov.uk
- or by writing to the Housing Department at one of the following addresses:
- Dolcoath Avenue, Camborne,TR14 8SX
- Luxstowe House, Greenbank Road, Liskeard, PL14 3DZ
- St Clare, Penzance, TR18 3QW
- 39 Penwinnick Road, St Austell, PL25 5DR
- Carrick House, Pydar Street, Truro, TR1 1EB
- Trevanion Road, Wadebridge, PL27 7NU
Shelter
provides a fully trained team offering free, independent
advice and help to people who have housing problems including
arrears and benefits.
48 West End, Redruth TR15 2SQ 0844 5152300
National 24hr Advice Line 0808 800 4444
Social Housing Landlords
Cornwall Rural Housing Association
1 Dreason Barns, Bodmin Road, Bodmin PL30 4BG 01208 264530
Cornwall Council can be contacted:
- via your local one stop shop,
- by telephoning 0300 1234 161 or the main switchboard on 0300 1234 100,
- by emailing to housing@cornwall.gov.uk
- or by writing to the Housing Department at one of the following addresses:
- Dolcoath Avenue, Camborne,TR14 8SX
- Luxstowe House, Greenbank Road, Liskeard, PL14 3DZ
- St Clare, Penzance, TR18 3QW
- 39 Penwinnick Road, St Austell, PL25 5DR
- Carrick House, Pydar Street, Truro, TR1 1EB
- Trevanion Road, Wadebridge, PL27 7NU
Coastline Housing Association
Ferris House, Dolcoath Avenue, Camborne TR14 8RY
Devon & Cornwall Housing Association
Kenwyn Street, Truro 01872 267300
32 Forth Scol, Redruth 01209 210902
5 Heathlands Business Park Liskeard 01579 340404
Guinness Trust
4 Chywoon Gardens, Higher Broad Lane, Illogan, Redruth 01209 211174
(Redruth Office)
Ocean Housing Ltd
Stennack House, Stennack Road, St Austell PL25 3SW 01726 874450
Penwith Housing Association
67 Morrab Road, Penzance TR18 2QS 01736 331799
Sanctuary Housing Association
Leat House, Tavistock Street, Roborough Village, Plymouth PL6 7BD
0800 083 9283
Stonham
17 High Cross Street, St Austell 01726 871910
West Country Housing Association
Endurance House, 3 Parkway Court, Longbridge Road, Marsh Mills,
Plymouth PL6 8LR 01752 254200
Sanctuary Schemes
These schemes operate through Cornwall and can provide security measures to make you home safe. This is a free scheme to help you feel safe, increase your safety and remain in you home. For more advice and information on the Sanctuary scheme, please contact your local Housing Advice service at Cornwall Council.
6. Legal Services
Legal Advice can be sought from various organisations which can provide details of solicitors and support services for those experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
Citizen’s Advice Bureaux
see above for your local bureaux.
Community Legal Service
A free legal advice line and website on the law and entitlement to
legal aid. (Helpline) 0845 345 4345 Helpline open 9am-5pm, with
answer phone service out of hours
www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk
Resolution
formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association – has a list of
solicitors who specialise in injunction proceedings. They can be
contacted on 01689 820272 (9am-5.30pm)
www.resolution.org.uk
7. Finance and Entitlements
Worries about income may cause a lot of stress to someone fleeing domestic violence and abuse. Many perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse use money as a means of controlling their partner. The best way for you to ensure you are receiving all the money you are entitled to is by talking to an expert. Individual circumstances vary enormously and small differences can have major implications for benefit entitlement.
Experts help can be given by Citizen’s Advice Bureaux (see above), and the following agencies:
The Department of Work and Pensions
0845 606 0265
Job Centre Plus National Contact Centre
0800 055 6688
Job Centre Plus
Lemon Quay House, Lemon Quay, Truro 01872 355000 7 South Street, St Austell 01726 294000 130 Fore Street, Saltash 01752 616300 Branwell House, Clarence Street, Penzance 01736 334400 11 Tower Street, Launceston 01566 764300 Commercial Road, Penryn 01326 434300 32 East Street, Newquay 01637 894900 7-9 Church Street, Liskeard 01579 335000 71A Fore Street, Bodmin 01208 254200 Nettles Hill, Redruth 01209 885800 Royal Square, St Ives 01736 575200 Eddystone Road, Wadebridge 01208 254600Tax Credit Helpline
0845 300 3900
8. Children, Young People and Families
Childline
A free helpline for children and young people to talk about any
problems.
0800 1111
Connexions
Advice, guidance and practical help for ages 13-19yrs.
www.connexions-cd.org.uk
Share
A young peoples (13-25) advice, information, counselling service
Old May Court, Adelaide Street, Camborne 01209 711500 1 Biddicks Court, St Austell 01726 181033 Newquay Resource Centre, Mount Wise, Newquay 01637 872070 Knights Yard, Belgravia Street, Penzance 01736 361059
The Hideout
Provides help, information and support for children and young people
who are living with or have experienced violence
http://www.thehideout.org.uk/default.aspa
Family Information Service
Provides information to families with children from 0-19,
signposting to services and providing details on registered
childcare, leisure activities for children and families and family
support information services.
0800 587 8191
www.cornwall.gov.uk/cypfdirectory
9. Health
People experiencing domestic violence and abuse are often seen in Accident and Emergency Departments, GP surgeries, paediatrics and outpatients. The psychological effects of domestic violence and abuse can include anxiety, depression and panic attacks, which often result in feeling worthless or feeling that things will never change. Domestic violence and abuse often gets worse during pregnancy and early parenthood. If you have a Health Visitor or Midwife it is important to talk to them about how you are feeling and any concerns you may have about domestic violence and abuse. You may feel able to talk to your doctor.
Emergency Medical Help: Call 999 and ask for an ambulance
If you are not registered with a GP, visit your local health centre to register. If you do not know where to find your nearest health centre, ring NHS direct for 24 hour advice and information:
NHS Direct: 0845 4647
Website:
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
The hospitals in the region which provide 24 hour Accident and Emergency services are:
Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske), Truro 01872 253113
West Cornwall Hospital, St Clare, Penzance 01736 874000
Derriford Hospital, Plymouth (for East Cornwall) 0845 155 8155 or 01752 202082
Rape / Sexual Assault: Call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
It is vital to contact the police and medical emergency services as soon as possible.
For non-emergency medical help:
If you are experiencing domestic violence and abuse you can
access help and advice from the following professionals: Health
Visitor, GP, Midwife, Practice Nurse and Community
Nurse. Appropriate information will be given as well as referrals to
other agencies.