Domestic violence and abuse usually takes place within the home, the person carrying out the abuse is typically a partner, ex-partner, family member or carer.
The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. Anyone forced to alter their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner’s/family member’s reaction is being abused.
The terms ‘domestic violence’ and ‘domestic abuse’ are often used interchangeably, so here we have joined them together as it is felt to be a more inclusive way to describe a range of behaviours, which include violence as well as all other forms of abuse.
Refuge
Refuge’s Domestic Violence and Abuse Service Warwickshire helpline: 0800 408 1552
Warwickshire County Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner have co-commissioned the charity Refuge to provide specialist support for victims in Warwickshire.
Since April 2017, Refuge has delivered a combined community-based support and accommodation service in Warwickshire offering:
- A single point of contact and specialist helpline.
- Outreach support, specialist advocacy for high risk victims and specialist support for male, BME and LGBT victims.
- 24 units of accommodation in locations across Warwickshire and associated support for females aged 16 and over and their dependent children, including provision of a children’s worker.
- Support to Warwickshire’s GP practices under the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) programme.
- Coordination of Warwickshire’s Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) and support to the Warwickshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse
Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 408 1552
The aim of Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse is to tackle domestic abuse by increasing the information and support available to victims, their friends and family, young people and to abusers.
Calls from most landlines to the Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Helpline are free and not itemised on bills. If in doubt, or you are calling from a mobile, please check with your telephone provider.
More ways to get help
Help is also available from the following organisations which can be accessed via the links below:
- National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) – providing legal assistance to obtain civil orders/injunctions
- GALOP – supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people experiencing domestic violence and abuse
- Mankind – supporting male victims of domestic violence and abuse
- Karma Nirvana – aiming to stop forced marriage and honour based violence
- Women’s Aid – national charity for Women and children working to end domestic abuse
- Family Intervention Counselling Service – funded by the PCC, FICS is a team of dedicated and qualified therapists, working in Warwickshire and the West Midlands with families who have or are experiencing domestic abuse.
- Domestic Abuse Counselling Service (DACS) – provides counselling services for both female and male victims of domestic abuse.
