July 2022
A Quick Guide to... Domestic Abuse
What is Domestic Abuse?
The legal definition of domestic abuse is: any incident 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
Domestic abuse also includes honour-based abuse and forced marriage. The Crown Prosecution Service website has a breakdown of the types of domestic abuse.
Just one incident counts as abuse. 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's likely you're a victim of domestic abuse.
You're not to blame for what's happening. You're not alone.
|
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.
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.
Remember to report an incident you can call Cumbria Police non-emergency call 101 or Cumbria Police online, in an emergency always call 999.
|
Other support available from Cumbria Police
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.
- 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)
- Both DVPNs and DVPOs place certain conditions on the perpetrator
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.
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.
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.
Domestic Abuse support in Cumbria
There is a range of support services available across Cumbria.
- Emergency Accommodation - There is a duty to accommodate victims of Domestic Abuse - This does not have to have been reported to the police
- Local services
- Cumbria wide services
- National services
You can find more information here.
Remember to report an incident you can call Cumbria Police non-emergency call 101 or Cumbria Police online, in an emergency always call 999.
|
