When You Are the Victim of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can take many forms including verbal or psychological violence that can include harassment. If you are the victim of domestic violence there are a number of steps you can take.

In an Emergency

If you are suffering from domestic violence and think that you are under threat of serious injury, call the police on 999 (minicom 0800 112 999).

Help and Advice

There are a number of organisations that can help you if you are in a domestic violence situation. These include:

• Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline
  0800 027 1234
  www.google.uk.net/dma/72.html
• English National Domestic Violence helpline
  0808 2000 247
  www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk
• Women's Aid 24-Hour Domestic Violence Helpline (Northern Ireland)
  0800 917 1414
  www.womensaidni.org
• Domestic Abuse Helpline (Wales)
  0808 80 10 800
  www.wdah.org
• Samaritans
  0845 7909 090
  www.samaritans.org.uk
• Lesbian, bisexual, gay and transsexual domestic violence
  08452 60 44 60
  www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
• Refuge
  0808 2000 247
  www.refuge.org.uk

Domestic Violence and Young People

Even if a child is not physically harmed abuse is still defined to have taken place if the young person or child is bullied or neglected by an adult. Constantly swearing at a child can also constitute emotional abuse and is punishable under the law.

Children that are being abused at home can contact Childline on 0800 1111, or visit their website for more information: www.childline.org.uk. The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) also has a helpline you can call on: 0800 800 5000. They can't investigate your case of abuse, but they have expert knowledge they can use to help you. They also have a website aimed at 12-16 year old people who think they may need help: www.there4me.com.

The import thing to remember is that it is not your fault that you are being abused or are suffer from physical or verbal abuse at home. If your situation is serious, call the police as they can take action straight away to help you.

Victims Support

The organisation Victim Support can help you with any incidents of domestic violence. This can be verbal, physical or sexual abuse. It is often the case that women stay in an abusive relationship for a wide-range of reasons. The relationship that has become abusive can be complex and difficult to leave. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone and don't have to suffer in silence. Victim Support can help you realise you are in an abusive situation and show you ways to cope.

You may decide that leaving your abusive partner is the only cause of action open to you. Victim Support can help you with finding new accommodation. If you feel that you must go to court because of the abuse you have been suffering, Victim Support can help you before, during and after your court case. For more information call Victim Support on: 0845 30 30 900, or visit their website at: www.victimsupport.org.uk. There is also a leaflet you can download from their website that gives information and advice about domestic abuse.

Men in Abusive Relationships

Research has shown that most of the domestic violence that takes place is against women, but men can also suffer this kind of violence too. Abuse can take many forms, but the result is the same: a feeling of confusion and embarrassment as you have no one to talk to.

Men have the same rights as women when it comes to living in a safe environment. Anyone regardless of gender that is found to be causing abuse can be prosecuted. There are a number of organisations that can help you:

• Mens Advice Line
  0808 801 0327
  www.mensadviceline.org.uk
• Survivors UK (if you have suffered child abuse in your early life)
  0845 122 1201
  www.survivorsuk.org
Next Page
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