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What is it? | What should I do? | How to report it? | Where to get help?
What is it?
Domestic abuse is defined as any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between persons who are 16 and over, who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. Domestic abuse can affect both women and men and can occur in same sex relationships. It can be psychological in nature, physical, sexual, financial or emotional and can be repeated, random or habitual and is used to control a partner. Controlling and coercive behaviour and financial abuse are both distinctive forms of domestic abuse, as explained in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This act also introduced a legal definition of domestic abuse which recognises children as victims in their own right. No-one needs to accept this type of behaviour which can have devastating consequences for you and other family members. Help and support is available.
See the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 Statutory Guidance for more information- Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance (publishing.service.gov.uk)
What should I do?
Victims of domestic abuse are particularly vulnerable and often frightened about seeking help but you do not need to face this abuse alone – there is help and protection available. If you are experiencing abuse of any kind please report it. If you are unsure whether or not you are being abused, you could talk to someone, such as a doctor, the police, someone you trust, a member of your family or a work colleague. Whatever your situation, there are a number of organisations who can support you and provide practical help to ensure your safety and recovery. You can always get advice from these specialists.
Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN)
A DVPN is an emergency non-molestation and eviction notice which can be issued by the police, when attending to a domestic abuse incident, to a perpetrator. Because the DVPN is a police-issued notice, it is effective from the time of issue, thereby giving the victim the immediate support they require in such a situation. Within 48 hours of the DVPN being served on the perpetrator, an application for a DVPO may then be made by the police to the magistrates’ court.
Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO)
A DVPO can prevent the perpetrator from returning to a residence and from having contact with the victim for up to 28 days. This allows the victim a degree of breathing space to consider their options with the help of a support agency. Both the DVPN and DVPO contain a condition prohibiting the perpetrator from bothering the victim.
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA)
The main purpose of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) is to address the safety of victims at high risk of harm. They serve as a victim’s primary point of contact, and normally work with victims from the point of crisis to assess the level of risk, discuss the range of suitable options and develop safety plans. IDVA’s are pro-active in implementing the plans, which address immediate safety, including practical steps to protect themselves and their children, as well as longer-term solutions. These plans will include actions from the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference as well as sanctions and remedies available through the criminal and civil courts, housing options and services available through other organisations.
Clare’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme)
If you are worried that your partner poses a risk of domestic abuse, you have a right to ask the police through the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, also known as Clare’s law. The scheme also allows a member of the public to make an enquiry into the partner of a close friend or family member.
Police forces are allowed to disclose information to a potential victim and have a duty to protect members of the public from domestic abuse.
For more information or to utilise Clare’s law, visit Derbyshire Constabulary’s website.
How to report it?
In an emergency situation, always dial 999 for help. If you want to report an incident of domestic violence or ongoing abuse involving you or someone close to you call the non-urgent police number on 101. There are people specifically trained to help protect you and your family. Alternatively you can access any of the organisations listed below without needing to report to the police.
Where to get help?
There are a multitude of organisations and helplines in Derbyshire and nationally to help victims of domestic violence including women, men and children. Many organisations both locally and nationally offer refuge for those affected by domestic abuse, if you would like to know about these services please click here to visit our Shelter and Accommodation page.
The Police and Crime Commissioner funds organisations that provide support services for victims and witnesses in Derbyshire. These are free of charge and are available to anyone who lives in Derbyshire. For Domestic Abuse these support services are provided by Refuge, Glow and the Elm Foundation.
Refuge
Refuge provides services to people experiencing domestic violence in Derby city. The service provides free confidential, non-judgemental and independent support and advice for both men and women living in Derby City. Referrals to this service can be made by yourself, friends, family and professionals as long as they have your consent. Refuge also offers refuge, outreach and resettlement support to women and children who have experienced domestic violence, stalking, honour-based violence, trafficking, forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation. For further information about this service please see the contact details below.
Glow – The Honeycomb Group
Glow delivers the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Service in both Derby City and Derbyshire.
The IDVA Service is independent of any agency, and the role of the specialist service is to provide effective, dedicated support to males and females aged 16 and over, who are at high risk of domestic-related homicide or serious harm. The IDVA will support high-risk victims through the civil and criminal justice system and assist in accessing service provision such as housing, health, and finance. They will liaise with agencies from the statutory and voluntary sector to ensure that a multi-agency approach is taken to ensure the victim’s safety. As part of this service there are dedicated IDVA’s who work within the criminal and family courts, the BAME communities and those victims accessing Derby Royal and Chesterfield Royal hospitals.
Referrals to the service will come via referrals to MARAC from statutory agencies, criminal justice system and third-sector support services in the usual way.
Please note that this service is for high-risk/MARAC victims only.
https://www.findtheglow.org.uk/
0330 0945559
The Elm Foundation
The Elm Foundation provides a helpline service to anyone experiencing domestic violence in the Derbyshire County area. The Derbyshire Domestic Abuse helpline can put you in touch with the right services to support you, provided by a number of different local organisations. These organisations offer a personalised support service, which can help with safety plans, the court process, refuges, counselling, and Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs).
https://www.theelmfoundation.org.uk/
08000 198668
NCHA Derbyshire Wish
NCHA Derbyshire Wish provides services and support, including accommodation and community-based support, for adults and children who are experiencing and living with the impact of domestic abuse.
To access support from NCHA Derbyshire Wish, you will usually need to contact the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Support line on 08000 198 668. You can self-refer or be referred by a professional you are working with.
NCHA Derbyshire Wish
01773 483 430
AAFDA – Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse
AAFDA provide a dedicated and specialist caseworker for supporting families bereaved by suicide after domestic abuse, reviewing their case and its current status, continued support of the families and providing ongoing peer support. They’re independent, a registered charity and work nationally.
www.@aafda.org.uk
07887 488 464
Derby Women’s Centre
Derby Women’s Centre provides a range of activities to enhance the wellbeing of women and girls in Derbyshire. They deliver a highly respected counselling service, a series of drop in coffee mornings, alternative therapies, drama therapy, benefit & debt advice, employment & Volunteering advice. They also run relaxation and confidence building courses and hold therapy classes & provide legal advice.
https://derby-womenscentre.org.uk/
01332 341633
Salcare
Salcare is a ‘one-stop shop’ providing support for the people. They help anyone in need, whether they have been referred to them by organisations such as social services, the police, domestic abuse services or job centres. The benefit of having all the information as well as aid and assistance in one place is to be able to make sure that people who require support of any kind can be helped to make safer choices for themselves and their families.
https://www.salcare.org.uk/
01773 764562
Deaf-initely Women – For women who are Deaf/Deafblind or Hard of Hearing
Deafinitely Women has a qualified IDVA/ISVA who is Deaf and provides specialist support to victims living in Derby City and Derbyshire aged 16+ and onwards.
Our IDVA/ISVA can support victims through both the civil and criminal justice systems and assist with accessing key services, including housing, health, and financial support. They can also liaise with other agencies to ensure the victim’s safety remains a priority at all times.
Support includes accompanying clients to police stations, court hearings, and any other appointments where advocacy is needed.
We also proudly support individuals from LGBTQ+ and BAME communities.
https://www.deafinitelywomen.org.uk
01773 828233 / 07421 827162 (Including Whatsapp video)
Women’s Work
Women’s Work provides group support, drop-in centre, outreach, one-to-one support and training for other organisations. The organisation also provides respite and advice and support to females who may have suffered domestic abuse, and substance misuse and had an involvement in street work.
https://www.womens-work.org.uk/
01332 242525
Crossroads Derbyshire
Crossroads Derbyshire is a charity offering confidential support and advisory services to people affected by domestic abuse, particularly in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales areas, with services including refuge, outreach, community programs, counselling, and specialist services for children.
https://www.crossroadsderbyshire.org/
01457 856675
PEGS
PEGS provides a bespoke package of support where individuals can pick from a suite of services (including all services) to ensure they have the best support for them. This includes 1:1 support, drop in provision, peer support, workshops, resources and tools that any victim from Derbyshire can access.
PEGS provides support to any victim who is experiencing child to parent abuse regardless of any demographic.
Remedi
Remedi (Restorative Services) are commissioned by The Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner to provide Restorative Justice Provision across Derbyshire. Restorative justice enables communication after a crime/conflict between the person harmed and the person causing the harm. It is a voluntary process which can help all those involved to talk about what happened, the impact and what each person needs to move forward.