Domestic Abuse
Has your partner hurt you? Are you trapped in an abusive relationship? Are you afraid in your own home or of someone close to you?
Most domestic abuse happens to women, but abuse within relationships can happen to anyone. Domestic abuse can be emotional, which can be just as damaging in its effect on you or your children.
Examples of abuse include:
- Verbal abuse such as name calling or accusing.
- Being spat at.
- Threats to take your child away.
- Being slapped punched or kicked.
- Constant criticism, faultfinding and put-downs.
- Not letting you sleep.
- Withholding money for food or bills or taking it off you.
- Being thrown pushed or pulled around.
- Being sexually assaulted or raped.
- Breaking things or destroying belongings.
- Punching walls.
- Threats of any sort, eg to kill or hurt you or your loved ones.
- Shouting you down.
- Isolating you from your family or friends.
- Never being allowed to do anything on your own.
Domestic abuse is rarely a 'one-off'. Usually it is a pattern of behaviour designed to control, restrict and degrade someone.
You may feel humiliated, frightened, angry, alone or confused…
- You are not the only one, domestic abuse is very common.
- Your abuser may be very charming, especially to others…
BUT
- You are not to blame – however much they may tell you it's your fault – they could choose to act differently.
- Your abuser may say sorry, promise to change or stop, threaten to kill themselves…
BUT
- Improvements can be short lived, and abuse usually gets worse and more dangerous over time.
- Your abuser may tell you no one will believe you and isolate you from friends or family.
BUT
- You have nothing to be ashamed of, you don’t have to keep this a secret and you don’t have to deal with it on your own.
EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO LIVE FREE FROM VIOLENCE AND FEAR.
What can you do?
You do not have to do anything straight away. You have the right to make decisions in your own time and in your own way.
Your options are varied, but it is important to get support with all of the following:-
- Staying in the home with your partner
- Staying in the home without your partner
- Choosing to leave temporarily with your children
- Choosing to leave permanently
If you are thinking of leaving (even temporarily), try to take time to think about how you could do this safely.
- Always put your physical safety first.
- The more isolated you are, the more difficult it can be to take action.
- You don’t have to deal with it alone, you are entitled to support.
You might want to start by talking to someone you trust, or contacting one of the organisations that can help and support you:
Fylde Coast Womens Aid
01253 596699
www.womensaid.org.uk
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
0808 2000 247
www.crimereduction.gov.uk/domesticviolence40.htm
Broken Rainbow (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Trans-Sexual)
0845 260 4460
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
Childline.
0800 11 11
www.childline.org.uk
Respect (Perpetrators/offenders)
0845 122 8609
www.respect.uk.net
Information
Enough Abuse
Information Poster - PDF Format
They Think It's All Over - Summer Nights Campaign
Domestic Abuse Information Poster (PDF Format)
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