Domestic abuse
IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 999
- If you are in immediate danger always call 999 and ask for the Police
- If you can't speak call 999 followed by 55 when the operator answers (or tap or cough into the phone) this will alert the operator and the police to respond
- Abuse 24 hour Support Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Domestic abuse can affect men and women of any age, from any culture or religion. It can happen in within the family, or within a heterosexual or same sex relationship (or not in a relationship at all). Victims may live with or apart from their abuser.
We have put together this simple guide to help those who are suffering domestic abuse, or for those who are concerned about someone else who might be.
What can Grand Union do to help?
We’ll listen to you, believing what you tell us, and will contact you safely, in a way and time that suits you.
We’ll treat what you tell us confidentially but, if we’re concerned that someone is at risk of serious harm, we do have to pass this information on to the police.
We’ll be clear about what we can do and we’ll help you find specialist support. If you want to take action against your abuser, we can support you.
We will refer you to other organisations for more support and see where we can improve the security of you home if you do not wish to leave. We can refer you to the council for temporary accommodation if you do want to leave your home, or offer you a transfer to one of our properties in another borough if you cannot remain in your home.
What are my legal rights?
You can apply for any of the following
Please speak to us for more information on these legal remedies. Any of the agencies listed above can advise you of solicitors with experience in family law to help you apply for one of these.
It is important to remember that not all abuse is physical and that anybody from any gender and age can be a victim or perpertrator of abuse.
The abuse can be physical, psychological, sexual, financial or emotional, or could be in the form of ‘honour’ based violence, including forced marriage or Female genital mutilation (FGM).It’s rarely a one-off incident and tends to get worse over time.
Some victims of abuse may have bruising, cuts, or broken bones. However in many cases the abuse can be emotional or coercive and harder to spot and if you are concerned about someone who may be experieicng abuse, they may withdraw or become distant.
It is important to remember that perpetrators of abuse can be extremely clever at covering their tracks. They are unlikely to be physically violent in public and may often be very pleasant towards others, often making the victim appear as though they are unreasonable or difficult to live with. If you believe that someone may be suffering abuse, you should trust your instinct. If something doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t and you should report your concerns.