If you are in immediate danger, please call the Police on 999.

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What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is ‘any incident or pattern of violent, threatening or abusive incidents of behaviour between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family.’

It can be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or financial and can include:

  • controlling, isolating, threatening or coercive behaviour
  • family and partner violence, which can be in the presence of children
  • forced marriage
  • honour-based violence, used as an umbrella term to describe a collection of practices used to control behaviour within families or other social groups to protect perceived cultural and or religious beliefs.

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What to look for

If you believe that you or someone else could be a victim of domestic abuse, there are signs that you can look out for including:

  • being withdrawn or anxious
  • having bruises
  • controlling finances
  • not being allowed to leave the house
  • monitoring technology use such as social media platforms.

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse. It can happen in all kinds of relationships - regardless of age, race, sex, sexuality, disability, wealth, gender identity, HIV status and lifestyle.

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The council's beliefs

It is our belief that every person has a right to be safe from fear of abuse. We also believe that:

  • Domestic abuse is completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated
  • Violence in relationships is an abuse of power as well as likely to be a criminal offence
  • Anyone experiencing domestic violence should be supported and protected from further abuse.

Help and advice

There are many agencies that deal with domestic violence, however, in an emergency call the Police on 999. If you want confidential help and advice at other times call:

  • Police (Ask for Victim Liaison Officer): 101
  • Local Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 80 200 28 and 07715 994 962 (text only)
  • Living Without Abuse: 0300 365 0112
  • Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0300 303 1844
  • Social Services: 01509 266 641
  • Victim Support: 01509 268545
  • Child Line: 0800 1111
  • NSPCC Help Line: 0800 800 500
  • Samaritans: 0345 909090
  • The Revenge Porn Helpline: 0345 600 0459

Visit the Living Without Abuse website for more information.

If you are a council tenant, you can get in touch with us by using our contact form [insert form].

Related links

  • Freeva - Free from Violence and Abuse, A Leicester based charity specialising in supporting people affected by sexual/domestic violence.
  • GALOP - An LGBT anti-violence and abuse charity, giving advice and support to people who have experienced biphobia, homophobia, transphobia, sexual violence or domestic abuse. 
  • LWA – Living Without Abuse, support and advice for those suffering under abuse.
  • NAPAC - Supporting adults who suffered any type of abuse in childhood.
  • NSPCC - Advice and support for adults who are worried about potential child abuse, and a helpline for children suffering abuse.
  • Respect - An anonymous helpline for those concerned about their use of violence and/or abuse towards a partner/ex-partner. 
  • Mens Advice – Advice for male victims of domestic violence and abuse, whether in a heterosexual or same-sex relationship, and frontline workers.
  • The Bridge - Independent Housing Advice
  • UK Government - Domestic abuse - directory for different kinds of abuse with appropriate advice/support links.

Last updated: Mon 25th April, 2022 @ 08:58