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Domestic abuse is defined as any behaviour/pattern of behaviours of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, an intimate partner or family members, regardless of their gender or sexuality. We can talk about Domestic Abuse when person ‘A' and person ‘B' are personally connected.
Domestic abuse can include but is not limited to the following:
If you think you might be experiencing domestic abuse, take the Women's Aid Relationships Questionnaire.
If you think you might be experiencing stalking, take the National Stalking Questionnaire.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, support is available in Warwickshire. You can find more information and access services at: Link - https://safeinwarwickshire.com/homepage/10/domestic-abuse-support-and-services-in-warwickshire
In an emergency, always call 999. If you are unable to speak, you can use the Silent Solution. Call 999 and follow these steps to indicate you need help without speaking.
Protective Orders
If you need somewhere safe to stay, either alone or with your children, or if you wish to stay at home, you could get legal protection to keep the abuser away. If you wish to stay in your home and it is safe to do so, Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse can offer advice on measures to take to protect you in your own home such as legal orders to prevent the perpetrator from coming near you or measures such as increasing security.
There are different types of protective orders, where you can also use ‘civil' laws to protect yourself and your children – for example, by getting a civil order that stops your abuser from contacting you, such as a Non-Molestation Order or a Restraining Order. Not all these orders require police involvement. However, if your abuser breaks a civil order, it may be a criminal offence and they could be arrested.
You can also get further information by talking to a solicitor, visiting websites run by lawyers, such as Rights of Women,Free Legal Protection Order support or by calling Refuge's National Domestic Abuse Helpline, 24-hours a day, for free and in confidence, on 0808 2000 247. You can also access support online at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Sanctuary Schemes
This is just one option available to victims of domestic violence. The Sanctuary Scheme provides victims of domestic violence and hate crime a way to stay safe in their home and stop them from becoming homeless. It does this by providing improved home security using the following tools:
To fund out more information on The Sanctuary Schemes, please contact Warwickshire Refuge.
Supportive Device Applications
There are a range of apps available for devices which can help to log evidence and offer protection to those experiencing domestic abuse. Organisations also offer advice and support on using the internet and devices as safely as possible and what to be aware of with your technology.
All apps listed below should be available from your devices App Store. Care should be taken when downloading any of these apps to a device that this does not increase risk to the person experiencing domestic abuse (for example if the app is seen). Please only download any of the above apps if it is safe to do so and you are sure your device is not being monitored.
The Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme (Claire's Law) enables the Police to release information about any previous history of violence or abuse a person might have on their criminal file. Under Clare's Law you can:
To make a right to know application under Clare's Law please visit: https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/request-information
You can apply to our Homeless Team as a homeless person if you can't stay in your home due to domestic abuse. If you are eligible for assistance (normally reside in the UK and are not subject to immigration control) and are homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days the Council may have a duty to help you.
People who are in “priority need" are entitled to emergency accommodation. You can find out more information about priority need from the Homeless Team. If you are entitled to help from the Council, you will be invited to complete a Personalised Housing Plan with a housing professional. This will outline the actions that both you and the Council need to take to resolve your housing situation.
If the Council has a duty to help you, you will be asked to provide details of your situation. You may be asked for supporting evidence, which could include details and dates of incidents, however if you are unable to provide these this does not mean the Council will not help you. You can bring a friend or advocate with you for support.
For more information on your housing options and homeless support, you can self refer to support services using the Customer Referral Form or you can contact our Homeless Team for further information via:
Address: Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6HX
Phone: 01789 260 126
Out of hours phone: 01789 267575
If you are a supporting public agency and you are working with someone who needs homeless assistance and you have their consent, please complete a Duty to Refer.
Further information in relation to domestic abuse can be found on Warwickshire County Council website: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/abuse of you can visit the Government website which provides more information and guidance on additional sources of support available in relation to Domestic abuse: how to get help - GOV.UK
If you are experiencing abuse from a current or former partner, you and your children have the right to seek safety.
One of these options may be that you explore refuge accommodation or seek support from any local council. You can also seek support to make your property safer. If you are unable to stay at home, you could look at alternative housing options, such as:
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and wish to find emergency safe accommodation, there are various options available to you. Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse can also help you with this.
We recommend you take some essentials with you such as a change of clothes, toiletries and any medication you need to take regularly. Try to bring important items such as your passport, bank and credit cards and mobile phone if it is safe to do so. Do not make a decision to give up your home permanently until you have spoken to a housing advisor and considered all your options.
If you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse, train companies are offering free travel to those affected. For more information please visit Link - https://www.womensaid.org.uk/what-we-do/supporting-our-members/travel-to-refuge
If you or someone else in your family is being hurt at home, you may not be sure what you can do about it. Domestic abuse is not your fault, and you won't get into trouble for telling someone about it.
The first thing to do, is to tell someone else about what is happening to you. You can tell a teacher, a neighbour, a friend or a friend's parent.
You can call Childline on 0800 1111 for free. They won't tell anyone else you are calling unless you are in immediate danger. They can tell you about places where you can get help.
For more information on support for Children and families in Warwickshire, please visit the Family Information Service.
Some domestic abuse survivors who are subject to immigration control have restricted options for housing and claiming benefits. For example, they might not be eligible for homelessness assistance from the local authority.
Households subject to immigration control with no recourse to public funds cannot normally claim Homelessness support. However, there are some exceptions made for people who have fled domestic abuse and applied through the Migrant victims of domestic abuse concession.
The Migrant victims of domestic abuse concession is a form of exceptional leave to remain for some victims of domestic abuse. The concession gives three months' limited leave to remain with access to public funds while the Home Office considers their application for permanent leave to remain.
A person who is granted the concession is eligible for homelessness assistance from the local authority. Anyone who is looking to claim the migrant victims of domestic abuse concession should seek immigration advice. For more information, please visit:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-benefits-for-visa-holder-domestic-violence
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