Abuse - Experienced At Home
Victims Of Domestic Violence or Abuse
Victims of domestic violence suffer on many different levels and often live their lives in constant fear.
Domestic violence is believed to be extremely under-reported. Statistics show that it accounts for a quarter of all violent crime and has more repeat victims than any other crime.
Victims of domestic violence should be encouraged to report the incident to the police. However, it is recognised that many will suffer in silence on many occasions before they are prepared to make a formal complaint to the police. Some will never make a complaint to the police at all.
Support For Women And Children
A national helpline - 0808 2000 247 - operates on a 24 hour free-phone basis. It joins the existing help lines of Women’s Aid and Refuge and now offers both women and children help in finding:
- emergency accommodation,
- information,
- planning on safety issues
- and a translation service
If you are a victim, a concerned relative, or friend of a victim you can contact the national helpline for advice. This operates on a call back service.
For male victims of domestic violence support can be provided by Men’s Aid. They can be contacted on 01334 474348 or by email support@mensaid.org. Men’s Aid is run by volunteers and is open Monday to Friday 10am-3pm.
Support For Non-hetrosexual People
For lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people experiencing domestic violence support is available from Broken Rainbow on 07812 644 914 or by email lgbtdv@btopenworld.com
Leaving Home Because Of Violence
You may feel you have to leave your home because of threats abuse or intimidation. It may be possible for you to stay in your home if you take action against the person responsible. In some situations there may be things you can do to solve the problems yourself.
Don’t make a decision to leave permanently until you have considered all your options and spoken to a housing adviser, solicitor or a professional with experience in domestic violence issues.
Considerations You May Wish To Make
Making a plan in the event of an emergency. Consider what you would need if you had to leave your home quickly, i.e. clothing, money, medication, important documents, such as your passport, credit cards, child benefit book and other legal papers. Although it is advisable to make a plan, you should never leave yourself in a dangerous situation. In an emergency you should call the police on 999.
If you do not have family or friends who are able to assist you with temporary accommodation, you can apply to Housing and Community Services for emergency help. You will be given advice about finding somewhere else to live. You may also be entitled to emergency accommodation, such as bed and breakfast or a women's refuge. You will be asked for supporting evidence. This could include brief details of incidents information from your GP, police or maybe a solicitor.
Seeking legal advice in order to obtain a court order. The court order (an injunction) could order the person to:
- stop being violent
- remove the person from your home
- stay away from your home
- stop contacting you
The court order may have a power of arrest attached to it. This means that the violent person can be arrested if they do not comply with the terms of the court order. If you already have an injunction but the person is not taking any notice of it, call the police immediately or contact your solicitor for further help.
Non Molestation Orders - This order tells your perpetrator they must not use or threaten to use violence against you or 'harass, pester or intimidate' you or anyone living with you. The orders are often written in very general terms to stop all forms of unpleasant behaviour including, for example threatening phone calls and texts. They will also stop your perpetrator getting someone else to harass you.
Occupation Orders - If the perpetrator's behaviour has been serious enough for them to be kept apart from you so as to protect you, you may need an order to say who can live in the home. An occupational order can order one party to leave the home and not return or it can order them to stay out of certain parts of the property. It can also consider who will repair and maintain the home, who will pay the mortgage or rent and who can use and care for things at home.
If the court order is broken, you can ask the court to act against the other party. They can fine them, imprison them in certain circumstances or vary the order to make if offer you greater protection. You should always tell your solicitor if the order isn't working as there are ways to ensure that the court's instructions are kept to.
Your Housing Options
In most cases, people will wish to remain in their homes. It is important that you seek advice in order to safeguard your position and your accommodation. If you are:
- living in a council or housing association property, you should seek legal advice with regard to your occupation rights and the possibility of having the tenancy transferred into your sole name. In this situation you should contact your landlord as well as a solicitor.
- a homeowner, you may wish to seek advice to exclude the violent person from your home or coming near to your home.
- live in private rented accommodation, you should advise your landlord, who may be able willing to take action to evict the violent person from your home. The landlord may then be willing to grant you a fresh tenancy in your name only.
Sanctuary Schemes
Our Sanctuary Scheme can provide a range of security measures to allow you to stay safely in your own home. The scheme can help whether you are renting or a home owner and is totally voluntary. It is tailored to the needs and circumstances of the individual and can include the installation of basic security measures such as window locks and door locks to more robust forms of support such as the creation of a safe room, window grilles, security lighting or an alrm system called lifeline. An assessment can be carried out to find out whether it is suitable fo you but it can provide a real alternative to homelessness and give you choice. Ask us for more details if this interests you.
What if the problems i am experiencing are coming from outside the home?
If the problems you are experiencing are caused by someone living in your neighbourhood with whom you have no relationship, get advice before taking any action. Council's and Housing Associations can stop anti-social behaviour by their tenants and if the perpetrator is in private rented accommodation, the landlord can be encouraged to take action to evict such tenants.
Whoever is abusing you, there are laws to protect you. For instance, you can stop a former boyfriend or girlfriend from harassing you by using the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. This gives the court power to impose restraining orders that are similar to occupation and non molestation orders.
Useful support agencies and contact telephone numbers:
- Poole Domestic Violence 24hr helpline 01202 748488
- Victim Support Dorset 01258 453100
- Samaritans 01202 551999
- National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247
- Relate (Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch) 01202 311231
- Respect (for perpetrators) 0845 122 8609
- MALE (for male victims of Domestic Violence) 0845 064 6800
- National Centre of Domestic Violence 08709 220704
Refuges:
- Poole Refuge 01202 748488
- Bournemouth Refuge 01202 547755
- North Dorset Refuge 01747 858555
- West Dorset Refuge 01305 262444
- Weymouth Refuge 01305 772295
Police:
- Eastern Domestic Violence Liaison Officers 01202 226089
- Western Domestic Violence Liaison Officers 01202 226547
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