Could you, or someone you know, be experiencing domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone regardless of gender or sexuality.
At Homes in Sedgemoor we understandthat it can be very difficult to take the first step to get help.Therefore, we are committed to acting quickly and sympathetically to anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse.
Within this leaflet,you will find out what domestic abuse is and howHomes in Sedgemoor can help if you, or someone youknow, is experiencing any of the signs.
What is domestic abuse?
Domesticabuseisde nedasanyincident orpatternofincidents of controlling coerci e threateningbeha iour iolenceorabusebet een thoseaged 6oro er hoare orha ebeen intimatepartnersorfamily membersregardlessofgenderorsexuality. heabusecanencompass butisnotlimitedto:
Psychological abuse
Psychological abuse involves the regular and deliberateuse of arange of words and non-physical actions, with the purpose to manipulate, hurt, weaken or frighten aperson mentally and emotionally.These actions can also distort, confuse or influencea person’sthoughts and actions within their everyday lives, changing their sense of self and harming their wellbeing. An example of psychological abuse would be threatening to ‘out’ youtoyour family if youwere lesbian, gay,bisexual or transgender.
Physical abuse
This form of abuse is when someone is physically hurting you. This could be by kicking, punching, and restraining youwith their hands, their feet, or an object.
Sexual abuse
This form of abuse is acted out by making youdothings youdon’t want to do such as preventing youfrom practicing safesex.Another form of sexual abuse is rape which is forcing another person to havesexual intercourse against their will.
Financial abuse
This involves someone using or misusing money, which limits and controls your financial situation as well as current and future actions and your freedom of choice. It can include controlling what youspend, using credit cards without permission, putting contractual obligations in their partner’sname, and gambling.
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Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is an attempt to control your emotions, in the same waythat physical abuse is an attempt to control another person.The only differenceisthat the emotional abuser does not use physical forms of harm. Emotional abuse couldinvolve someone using emotions to criticise, embarrass, shame, blame, or otherwise manipulateyou,with the aim of controlling youthrough discrediting, isolating, and silencing you.
Controlling behaviour
Controlling money, always criticising andbeing purposely isolated from friends and family are just some of the examples of controlling behaviour which is aformofdomestic abuse. It can happen slowly,building up in arelationship.Thiscontrolling behaviour is called ‘coercivecontrol’ and it is domestic abuse.
Coercive control
Coercivecontrol is an act or apattern of acts of assault,threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten you.
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Emotionalabuse is an attempttocontrol your emotions, in thesame waythat physical abuseisan attempt to control another person.
With your permission, we can make referrals to specialist domestic abuse agencies such as YouTrust, who will be able to offer you the right help.
How can Homes in Sedgemoor help you?
irstly omesin edgemoor illlisten. e ill listenandas youho you ishforustohelpyou. e illbeguidedbyyouand illnotdoanything youarenotcomfortable ith. e illreact uic ly andeffecti elytoensurethatyouaresafe. eare committedtorespondingtoallreportsofdomestic abuse ithin2 hours.
Advice and information
We will ensure youare given information regarding other agencies who are best placed to supportyou. We can be present when youmake the initial call if youprefer and can guide youthrough the process of getting support.
With your permission, we can make referrals to specialist domestic abuse agencies such as YouTrust,who will be able to offeryou theright help. We will provide youwith advice relating to your home and tenancy, and will supportyou to stay safe within your home or supportyou to move away from your home address if this is what youwish.
Keeping information confidential
We will not share the information yougivetouswithout your consent unless there are serious concerns for youoryour children’swelfare. If you reportdomestic abuse to us we will neverinform the perpetrator that youhavedisclosed this. Your safety is our priority.
Communication
We will be sensitiveand understanding when discussing your situation with you. We can meet you at an agreed safeplace, in our offices or in one of our communal halls. If youprefer,wecan offeryou the opportunity to speak to someone of the same gender or sexuality.Wewill ensure that youare kept up-to-date throughout the process and ensure that youhaveone point of contact throughout.
Action plan
We will carry out adomestic abuse risk assessment with youand outline the options youhave. We will offerto increase security within your home, but,ifhome is not asafeplacefor you, we will work with Sedgemoor District Council’sHousing Advice Team to help youget alternative accommodation (such as temporary accommodation).
Translation and interpretation services
If yourequire this, we will provide youwith atranslation and interpretation service. Please call us on 0800 585 360 to arrange this.
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Homes in Sedgemoor 5 536 55 4 Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (SARSAS) 456 Somerset Domestic Abuse Helpline 6949999 How to get help fyou orsomeoneyou no isexperiencingdomesticabuse thereareanumberofdifferent aystogethelp. elo isalist ofsomeoftheorganisations ho illsupportyou: If your life is in danger, always ring 999 Mankind Initiative 3334 44 National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline 99954 National Centre for Domestic Abuse 9 6
Silent Service
(how to call the police when you can’t speak)
fyouareindangerandunabletotal onthephone call andlisten tothe uestionsfromtheoperatorand ifyoucan respondbycoughing ortappingonthehandset.
Calling 999 from amobile
If the BT operator cannot determine whether there is anyone on the line, youwill hear an automated message asking youtopress 55. If youpress 55, your call will be transferred to the police.
Call 999 from alandline
If the BT operator cannot determine whether there is anyone on the line youwill be connected to apolicecall handler.Ifyou replacethe handset, the landline may remain connected
for45seconds.Ifyou pick up again during this 45 seconds and the operator is concerned foryour safety, the call will be connected to police.
If you are deaf or can’t use aphone
Concerned about your own behaviour?
fyou ouldli ead iceabout yourbeha iour orsupportto changeho youtreatapartner ex partnerorfamilymember there areanumberoforganisations hichcanhelp.
Youcan register with the emergency .TextREGISTER to 999. Youwill get atextwhich tells youwhat to do next.Dothis when it is safesoyou can text when you are in danger. National
Domestic Abuse Helpline
4 Respect 4 4 .respectphoneline.org.u
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Need this translated?
If youwould likethis information translated into another language, please contact our Customer Services Team on 0800585360.
Jeśli chcesz uzyskać te informacje przetłumaczone na językpolski, proszęskontaktuj się znaszym Zespołem Obsługi Klienta pod numerem 0800585360.
Se você deseja que essas informações sejam traduzidas para oportuguês, por favor contacte anossa Equipa de AtendimentoaoCliente, pelo telefone 0800585360.
HomesinSedgemoor
@HomesSedgemoor customer.services@homesinsedgemoor.org
www.homesinsedgemoor.org
5 536 55 4
HomesinSedgemoor, Bridgwater House, King Square,Bridgwater TA63AR
