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Domestic abuse
Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, social or economic status, sexuality or background. If you feel you are at risk of abuse, or think you know someone who is, there is help and support available.
Our tenancy agreements state that you must not threaten violence or be violent towards anyone living in your home. This includes harassing or using psychological, emotional, physical or sexual abuse to make anyone who lives with you leave the property. We are here to support victims, and we will take action against perpetrators.
In an abusive relationship, one partner tries to dominate the other through physical harm, criticisms, demands, threats, or sexual pressure. This behaviour can be very dangerous, frightening, confusing and damaging for the victim.
Psychological or emotional abuse can be just as harmful as physical abuse. Abuse in a relationship is never acceptable, regardless of the circumstances, and is never the victim’s fault. Physical and sexual assault, threats and stalking are crimes, and you can report these to the police.
Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to:
Psychological – Making you feel devalued and afraid. If you are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT), threatening to ‘out’ you to your family.
Physical – Kicking, punching and restraining.
Sexual – Rape, making you do things you don’t want to do, preventing you from practising safe sex.
Economic – Taking your money and/or controlling your money.
National support services
National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) National Domestic Abuse Helpline ManKind Initiative - support for male victims Refuge Womans Aid Respect Phoneline - for perpetrators Men's advice line Galop - support for the LGBT+ community Restitute – Supporting third party victims of crimes
Questions to ask yourself
- Is your partner or another family member abusive?
- Is your partner jealous and possessive?
- Are they charming one minute and abusive the next?
- Do they tell you what to wear, where to go, who to see?
- Do they constantly put you down?
- Do they play mind games and make you doubt your judgment?
- Do they control your money?
- Do they pressure you to have sex when you don’t want to?
- Are you starting to walk on eggshells to avoid making them angry?
- Do they monitor or track your movements or messages?
- Do they use anger and intimidation to frighten and control you?
Checking if someone has an abusive past
If you are concerned that a new, former or existing partner has an abusive past, you can ask the police to check under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (also known as ‘Clare’s Law’). This is your ‘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.
If you are concerned about a friend or family member, you can apply for a disclosure on behalf of someone you know.
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.