Head Office
opening Hrs
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is the systematic pattern of behaviour on the part of the abuser designed to control his partner.
The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. Anyone forced to alter their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner’s reaction is being abused. It can begin at any stage of the relationship. Domestic violence is rarely a one-off. Incidents generally become more frequent and severe over time.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, social background, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnicity. Whilst domestic violence happens in all relationships (heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), statistics show the vast majority of domestic violence incidents are carried out by men and experienced by women.
Domestic violence is a crime. We all have a role to play in bringing domestic violence to an end.
Mission:
To create a violence-free environment in the UK by preventing domestic abuse, supporting survivors, and ensuring accountability for perpetrators.
An estimated 2.3 million people in the UK experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022, with women being disproportionately affected. During this period, 114 women were killed by men, 62% of whom were killed by a current or former partner. Domestic abuse costs the UK economy over £66 billion annually, impacting health services, criminal justice, and productivity. In Nottinghamshire alone, over 20,000 cases of domestic-related incidents were reported. This dire situation calls for a synergistic response.
Goals
1. Prevention and Awareness
We educate potential victims and the public to recognize the early
warning signs of abuse and understand the dynamics of domestic
violence through sustained awareness campaigns using various
media channels. We challenge harmful gender stereotypes and
cultural norms that perpetuate domestic violence. We implement
early intervention programmes by training healthcare professionals,
educators, and social workers to recognize early signs and provide
timely intervention.
2. Support for Survivors
We are committed to providing comprehensive services for survivors
of domestic violence, ensuring they receive holistic support, including
emergency housing, access to health and mental health services,
legal advice, job training, and financial assistance to help them regain
independence and rebuild their lives. Our initiative also focuses on
trauma-informed care, delivering sensitive interventions like culturally
competent therapy and counselling. We work with housing authorities
and non-profit organizations to increase the availability of safe
spaces, offering both short-term emergency shelters and long-term
housing solutions to support survivors in transitioning to independent
living.
3. Legal Advocacy
We collaborate with law enforcement officers to ensure domestic
violence incidents are addressed with sensitivity and efficiency. We
ensure that laws protecting domestic violence victims are enforced
and are pushing for harsher penalties for repeat offenders. We are
making restraining orders and protective measures more accessible
and effective to ensure that survivors can rely on the system for their
safety and justice.
4. Community Engagement
We build strong partnerships with local community organizations to reach underserved populations and provide a localized, culturally sensitive response to domestic violence ensuring that support services are tailored to the unique needs of different groups. We conduct educational workshops and seminars in schools and workplaces to raise awareness of healthy relationships and the prevention of domestic violence. By educating young people and employees on recognizing the signs of abuse and equipping them with tools to seek help, we aim to foster safer environments. We encourage bystander intervention, teaching communities how to safely intervene and report concerns to authorities to help prevent further abuse.
Additional Focus for Nottingham
A dedicated Nottinghamshire helpline has been established to
provide crisis support and connect survivors to local services, offering
round-the-clock assistance.