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When You Are the Victim of Domestic Violence

By: Dave Howell - Updated: 3 Jan 2017 | comments*Discuss
 
Domestic Violence Psychological 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:

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
  • You might also like...
    Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice..
    Looking for some anonymous advice please, I'm currently waiting for my ex to be on trial for DV, I am a witness attending court, long story short we broke up after a particularly bad episode and he was released on bail not to contact me with we're both in contact with eachother as I was still in love with him and totally brainwashed and he came to my house one night and happened again, I've told police I had no contact with him but if it comes out in court what will happen? I mean I wasn't the one on bail I'm just worried it will make me look like a liar about the charges!
    Emz123 - 3-Jan-17 @ 10:32 PM
    Hi my now ex partner attacked me a few years ago with a knife taking off part of my finger. I do not have full use of my hand and never will do. I spent a few days in hospital and had to have plastic surgery on my hand. I lived with him for 6 years and weekly got attacked by him weather it was a punch in the face or a full on attack. It did go to court but at the time I was to scared to go through with it all, basically brainwashed me. I was wondering if a claim would be looked into? Thank you
    Nc - 9-May-16 @ 12:14 AM
    Hi, there was a minor family domestic involving aunty and niece, the niece attacked the aunty police where called but no complaints where put through, later that day aunties son found out his mom was attacked by her niece so knocked on the door to resolve matters and calm everything but the niece was very aggressive and swearing so son left it and went but while later the niece called police and was claiming the son pulled her arm and tried assualting her when he did not. Theres was witnesses from both sides of family there but neices husband is taking her side and lying too, how would the police deal with this? Thanks
    Leggie - 5-Jul-15 @ 1:12 AM
    @Misty - Here is the guidelines to the CPS Policy for Prosecuting Cases of Domestic Violence, link here. The CPS takes domestic violence very seriously and you will find all you need to know in this document in order to put your mind at rest. I hope this helps.
    CourtroomAdvice - 2-Feb-15 @ 10:55 AM
    My now ex partner was arrested and bailed earlier this month. He had long been verbally abusive to me and often intimidating. However, in this instance he physically assaulted myself and my 13 year old child in the presence of our six year old. His attack on my son was violent and prolonged. He was gripped, shaken and pushed extremely violently across a room. All of this was accompanied by verbal abuse and threats. We fled to the police station and, the next day, my son was video interviewed and seen by a paediatrician who confirmed his injuries (abrasions and bruising from the push, fingertip bruising at the tops of his arms from being grabbed and shaken and marks on his back from being repeatedly pinned up against a book shelf. He is an extremely bright and well behaved child and made it confident and comprehensive statement. His brother also did a video interview and, similarly bright for his age, gave a very thorough account, albeit from a very young perspective. In addition to my statement will this be enough for the CPS to prosecute and would his solicitor advise a guilty plea? His bail conditions exclude all contact and he can't come to the town we live in. I very much want these restrictions to remain in place and for him to be charged and prosecuted. The thought he might get away with that and the message that would send to my children really scares me.
    Misty - 30-Jan-15 @ 11:59 AM
    My now ex partner was arrested and bailed earlier this month. He had long been verbally abusive to me and often intimidating. However, in this instance he physically assaulted myself and my 13 year old child in the presence of our six year old. His attack on my son was violent and prolonged. He was gripped, shaken and pushed extremely violently across a room. All of this was accompanied by verbal abuse and threats. We fled to the police station and, the next day, my son was video interviewed and seen by a paediatrician who confirmed his injuries (abrasions and bruising from the push, fingertip bruising at the tops of his arms from being grabbed and shaken and marks on his back from being repeatedly pinned up against a book shelf. He is an extremely bright and well behaved child and made it confident and comprehensive statement. His brother also did a video interview and, similarly bright for his age, gave a very thorough account, albeit from a very young perspective. In addition to my statement will this be enough for the CPS to prosecute and would his solicitor advise a guilty plea? His bail conditions exclude all contact and he can't come to the town we live in. I very much want these restrictions to remain in place and for him to be charged and prosecuted. The thought he might get away with that and the message that would send to my children really scares me.
    Misty - 30-Jan-15 @ 11:45 AM
    @Esser - Unfortunately the legal position is that if the debts are in your daughters' name, then she is legally responsible for paying them off, which is why it is always a good idea that if someone is living together everything is done in joint names. You could consider using the small claims court if she can prove somehow that he agreed to pay half the costs, which may fall short as he may obviously deny knowing everything was registered in her name. On another note if he is still getting himself into debt and using her name and details fraudulently then you need to contact the police. I hope this helps.
    CourtroomAdvice - 20-Jan-15 @ 10:41 AM
    My daughter has been left in debt by ex partner and 18 months later still getting new debts arrive that he took out in her name on line when they were together, can she claim this money from him in small claims or look into fraud charges? Thank you
    Esser - 18-Jan-15 @ 10:38 PM
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