Domestic abuse
The Survivors and Supporters Forum is for adults who have been affected by domestic abuse in Warrington. It will be facilitated by experienced practitioners in the area and all information will treated with the strictest confidence and sensitivity. If you are interested in joining the forum and would like further information please email our Safeguarding Partnerships team domesticabusepartnership@warrington.gov.uk.
Domestic abuse can include a wide range of behaviours and may be a single incident or a pattern of incidents.
Domestic abuse is not limited to physical acts of violence or threatening behaviour, and can include emotional, psychological, controlling or coercive behaviour, sexual and/or economic abuse.
Types of domestic abuse include:
- Intimate partner violence
- Abuse by family members,
- Teenage relationship abuse and;
- Adolescent to parent violence.
Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexuality or background and domestic abuse can take place inside or outside of the home.
Recognising domestic abuse +
Does your partner, ex-partner or someone you live with:
- Cut you off from family and friends and intentionally isolate you?
- Bully, threaten, or control you?
- Take control of your finances?
- Monitor or limit your use of technology?
- Physically and/or sexually abuse you?
- Hurt you physically
- Insult or constantly criticise you
- Control what you do and where you go
- Isolate you from your friends and family
- Punish or humiliate you
- Break something important to you, or smash things in your home
- Scare you, for example by driving dangerously
- Carry out honour based violence: Any form of abuse justified to protect perceived honour or respect of family or community, can include; forced marriage, female genital mutilation, assault and murder.
- Coercive control and ‘gaslight’ you
- Threaten to harm themselves if you leave or seek help
Domestic abuse can start at any time, in new relationships or after many years together. And it can happen to anyone, in all kinds of relationships, no matter what your social group, class, age, race, disability, sexuality or lifestyle is.
If you believe that you are a victim of domestic abuse, there are signs that you can look out for including:
- being withdrawn, or being isolated from your family and friends
- having bruises, burns or bite marks on you
- having your finances controlled, or not being given enough to buy food, medication or pay bills
- not being allowed to leave your house, or stopped from going to college or work
- having your internet or social media use monitored, or someone else reading your texts, emails or letters
- being repeatedly belittled, put down or told you are worthless
- being pressured into sex or sexual contact
- being told that abuse is your fault, or that you’re overreacting
If you’re experiencing domestic abuse it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help. It doesn’t matter if it happens just once, or every so often, or on a regular basis. And it doesn’t have to actually happen - threatening you, or your children, with anything like this could be considered domestic abuse.
You are not alone, talk to someone that can help. You can call for free, confidential advice, 24 hours a day contact a domestic abuse helpline.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you can’t speak and are calling on a mobile press 55 to have your call transferred to the police.
If you're deaf or unable to use a voice phone - you can register with the police text service - text REGISTER to 999. You will get a text which tells you what to do next. Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger.
Support Services +
- Warrington Domestic Abuse Hub - advice, emotional and practical support for women, men and young people. Call 01925 243359
- Warrington Women's Aid Refuge - safe accommodation for women and children, and support and advice to men experiencing domestic abuse. Call 01925 417138
- Cheshire Police - 101 (non-emergency)
- Safe/Emergency Accommodation - The Homelessness and Housing Advice Service can assist you in finding alternative accommodation in an emergency and provide advice on housing options. They can also arrange to install extra safety measures in your current home – known` as a ‘sanctuary scheme’ if deemed safe. For further information Email housingadvice@warrington.gov.uk or call 01925 246868 (out of hours: 01925 444400)
- The Domestic Abuse Money and Benefits Advice service. This service can provide advice and support on debt, mortgage and rent arrears, financial advice, assessing benefit entitlement, and housing advice call 01925 246970 or email admin@warrington.cabnet.org.uk
- Cheshire CARES (Cope and Recovery Enhanced Service) - local support for victims of crime, even if you don’t want to report the crime to the police. Call 01606 366336
- DV Assist – can help you to get Non-Molestation Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Occupation Orders. Call 0800 195 8699
- Warrington Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre - support, advocacy, counselling and information for those affected by rape, sexual assault or abuse. Call 01925 221546
- Hourglass- confidential helpline for anyone concerned about abuse of an older person. Call 0808 808 8141
- SignHealth - domestic abuse support for deaf people in British Sign Language (BSL). Call 020 3947 2601, text, WhatsApp, Facetime 07970 350366, or email da@signhealth.org.uk
- Survivors and Supporters Forum - The Survivors and Supporters Forum is for adults who have been affected by domestic abuse in Warrington. It will be facilitated by experienced practitioners in the area and all information will treated with the strictest confidence and sensitivity. If you are interested in joining the forum and would like further information please email our Safeguarding Partnerships team domesticabusepartnership@warrington.gov.uk. The next meeting is the 12th January.
National helplines
- The 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline
- The Men's Advice Line - a national charity dedicated to helping and supporting male victims of domestic abuse
- Galop – national helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual victims
- Karma Nirvana - supporting victims of honour-based abuse including forced marriage
- FCO Forced Marriage Unit - a government helpline dedicated to supporting British Nationals overseas and in the UK who are affected by or at risk of a forced marriage. Call 020 7008 0151 (or 0044 20 7008 0151 if you are overseas)
- NSPCC FGM helpline - if you're worried a child is at risk of or has already had FGM, call the free, anonymous dedicated FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgm.help@nspcc.org.uk
- National Stalking Helpline - for victims of stalking, their friends, family and professionals. Call the helpline 0808 802 0300 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am-4pm, Wednesday 1pm-4pm) stalking helpline enquiry form
- Southall Black Sisters - advocacy and information for Asian and Afro-Caribbean women suffering abuse
- Muslim Women’s Network Helpline - national specialist faith and culturally sensitive helpline that is confidential. Call 0800 999 5786, text 07415 206 936 or email info@mwnhelpline.co.uk
- The Traveller Movement (TM) - Help for Gypsies, Roma and Traveller women call/whatsApp 0754 1637 795
- Vestar specialist family support - Support for Polish victims of domestic abuse. Email info@vestasfs.org call 07545075093 (Mon - Thur 9:30 -15:00)
- Bright Sky is a mobile app and website for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else. The app can be downloaded for free from the app stores. Only download the app if it is safe for you to do so and if you are sure that your phone isn’t being monitored.
What can I do if I suspect my partner has an abusive past? +
If you are concerned about a new, former or existing partner’s behaviour you can find out if they have an abusive past.
You can contact the police and under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (also known as ‘Clare’s Law’) you have a ‘right to ask’. If records show that you may be at risk of domestic abuse, the police will consider disclosing the information. A disclosure can be made if it is legal, proportionate and necessary to do so.
You can make a request to the police for information about a person’s previous violent offending in person at the police station or elsewhere, by telephone, by email, online or as part of a police investigation. Support agencies and services can also help you ask the police about this.
If you are concerned about a friend or family member, you can apply for a disclosure on behalf of someone you know.
How can I help someone? +
If you are worried that a friend, neighbour, colleague or loved one is a victim of domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and confidential advice, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
Seeking help for someone you know can be challenging but domestic abuse advisers will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and advice on the options available, helping you to keep safe and make informed choices.
If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm to someone, or it is an emergency, you should call 999.
Male Victims +
If you are a man in an abusive relationship, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Abuse of men happens far more often than you might expect - in both heterosexual and same sex relationships. Figures suggest that as many as 1 in 6 victims of domestic abuse are male. However, men are often reluctant to report abuse because they feel embarrassed, fear they won’t be believed, or are scared that their partner will take revenge.
If you are a man experiencing domestic abuse and you need emergency help you can call the police on 999.
Men have exactly the same rights as women to be safe in their own homes. All statutory services (the police, Crown Prosecution Service, housing departments and social services) have a duty to provide services to all, whatever their gender. Men are protected by exactly the same laws as women, anyone who has assaulted another person, regardless of the gender of either, can be prosecuted.
Admitting the problem and seeking help doesn’t mean you have failed as a man or as a husband. You are not to blame, and you are not weak.
There are several specialist agencies that can provide you with the help and support during this difficult time.
Safe/Emergency Accommodation
While there are very few refuge, safe houses or supported housing facilities available in the UK for male victims, local authorities have a duty to ensure domestic abuse victims (and children) are able to access emergency housing. The Homelessness and Housing Advice Service can assist you in finding alternative accommodation in an emergency and provide advice on housing options. They can also arrange to install extra safety measures in your current home – known` as a ‘sanctuary scheme’ if deemed safe. For further information Email housingadvice@warrington.gov.uk or call 01925 246868 (out of hours: 01925 444400)
Support and advice for Male Victims
My child is being abusive toward me +
Child on Parent Violence (CPV) or Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (APVA) is any behaviour used by a young person to control, dominate or coerce parents. It is often threatening and intimidating and can put family safety at risk. Whilst it is normal for adolescents to demonstrate anger, conflict, and frustration during their transition from childhood to adulthood, anger should not be confused with abuse or violence. Violence is a range of behaviours including non-physical acts aimed at achieving ongoing control over another person by instilling fear, similar to in cases of domestic abuse.
Those who experience CPV/ APVA often suffer a great deal before seeking support. Those impacted, express feeling isolated, failing as a parent, and shame and stigma of having an abusive child.
Over the last three years the number of reported crimes involving children attacking parents has doubled and during coronavirus lockdowns there has been a 70% rise in incidents.
How can I get help with this?
- Who is in charge (WIC) - have produced a self-help booklet for parents experiencing child to parent violence and abuse
- Family Lives - confidential helpline and web chat, offers live online chat, email support or a confidential helpline, for parents experiencing any form of stress or difficulty in their lives. (During the night, calls are redirected to the Samaritans helpline)