Welcome to day three of National Safeguarding Adults Week. Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board are working in collaboration with the National Safeguarding Adults Board Network and Ann Craft Trust to raise awareness of abuse and neglect. Each day this week will focus on a specific theme when we will provide you with information and signpost to resources for further learning. Today's key theme is Domestic Abuse.
Domestic abuse is categorised by any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:
Physical
Emotional
Psychological
Sexual
Financial
The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically, just one encounter counts as abuse, and it can be an ongoing pattern of behaviour. However, the one constant element of domestic abuse is the abuser's consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the victim.
Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality or social background. If you are suffering from physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse, or are being threatened, intimidated or stalked by a current or previous partner or close family member, it is likely you are a victim of domestic abuse.
Other forms of domestic abuse including controlling or coercive behaviour. Controlling behaviour is a range of acts performed by the abuser and designed to make their victim subordinate and/or dependent. These acts include but are not limited to:
isolating the victim from sources of support
exploiting the victim's resources and capacities for personal gain
depriving the victim of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape
regulating the victim's everyday behaviour
Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used by the abuser to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.
During the past year, police have recorded 7,402 incidents of domestic abuse in Cumbria.
What are the signs of Domestic Abuse?
There are a number of signs that could indicate abuse if occurring. Those suffering from domestic abuse will not always identify as a victim. Signs to look out for include:
Injuries – a victim may have bruising, cuts or other injuries. A victim may excuse their injuries by claiming they are clumsy or give the same explanation each time.
Stress – a victim may display physical symptoms related to stress, other anxiety disorders or depression. They may have panic attacks, or have strong feelings of isolation and an inability to cope. In more extreme cases, the victim may talk of suicide or have even made attempts.
Absent from work - a victim may be late for or off work on a regular basis, or take time off without notice.
Personality changes – you may notice personality changes when a victim is around their partner. They may appear to ‘walk on eggshells’, or be jumpy and nervous
Low self-esteem – a victim may express or display low self-esteem or lack of confidence regarding their relationship or life in general.
Lack of money – a victim may never seem to have any money because their partner is withholding it from them to control them.
Stops socialising – a victim may regularly make excuses for not going out with friends, or suddenly pull out of social meets at the last minute.
A victim's partner might display irrational behaviour – they might be jealous, aggressive or possessive. He or she may accuse them of having affairs, flirting or may read their emails, check their phone or constantly phone to check up on them.
Unwanted pregnancy/termination – pregnancy often triggers the start of domestic abuse. This may lead a female abuse victim to be unhappy at being pregnant, not wish to continue with the pregnancy, or be forced into having a termination by her partner.
Substance abuse – victims may use alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescribed drugs like tranquillisers or anti-depressants to cope.
Damage to property – there may be damage to the home or even harm to the pets of victims.
The ‘relationship’ escalates quickly – the victim and perpetrator move in together very quickly.
How to report Domestic Abuse?
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, or know someone who is, and there is an ongoing emergency or life is in danger, call 999 now.
If you have been the victim of domestic abuse, or are concerned for someone who is, you can report this in the safety of your local police station.
In non-emergency cases and for general advice, please call 101.
Police officers will make sure that you are dealt with respectfully and spoken to away from the person responsible for the abuse. If you have been physically injured, it is important that a doctor examines your injuries. Where necessary, medical care will be arranged.
Reporting incidents is a major step in ending abuse. With your information, police can thoroughly investigate incidents to bring offenders to justice. Most importantly, following a report, victims can access safeguarding services to help them recover. Help is always available for victims.
What support is available?
The most important thing to know is that a lot of support is always available.
Cumbria Police offer a number of schemes, which aim to help victims of abuse or those at potential risk. Two schemes currently in operation are:
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme - Clare’s Law: The scheme allows you to make an application to police for information about a person’s violent behaviour in previous relationships. Following your application, police will consider sharing this information with you to help you make a more informed decision on whether to continue the relationship. You will also receive advice on support available to make that choice.
If you make an application for information about a friend or relative’s partner, police will consider sharing this information with the person you are concerned about, or relevant agencies, if appropriate. Police will talk to you and decide whether it is appropriate for more information to be disclosed, to help protect the friend or relative you are concerned about.
Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO) & Domestic Violence Protection Notices DVPN: These provide immediate protection following an incident of domestic violence and give you time to consider what to do next. Local specialist services that provide advice and support will get in touch with you if a DVPN is issued. Both DVPNs and DVPOs place certain conditions on the perpetrator, which may:
Stop them from entering and being within a certain distance of your home.
Stop them from making you leave or excluding you from your home.
Mean they have to leave your home (even if you live at the same address)
There are a number of other support services available to victims of domestic abuse. Once police receive a report, safeguarding actions are immediately considered. These include signposting a person to appropriate victim support services.
Other useful information and links
Would you recognise signs of domestic abuse? What would you do? Watch a Safeguarding Scenario video from Ann Craft Trust here
