Winchester Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum



| Winchester Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum |

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|[pic] |An independent multi-agency forum working to co-ordinate and improve support services for those affected by domestic |

| |violence and raise awareness of their needs. |

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| |Facilitated by Winchester Area Community Action |

| |Contact pwilliams@.uk for details. |

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What is Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is the physical, emotional, mental, sexual or financial abuse of one person by another with whom they have had an intimate relationship or are related to.

Physical abuse

This may include slapping, punching, spitting, kicking, burning you with a cigarette, choking, and the use of weapons to cause you injury.

Sexual abuse

This may include forcing or pressuring you into carrying out humiliating sexual acts as well as rape.

Emotional and mental abuse

This can often be worse than the above. Such controlling behaviour may include constant criticism, continuous verbal abuse, calling you a failure, useless and ugly, threats including to kill/harm you and/or the children, locking you in or isolating you from friends and family, telling you what to wear, humiliating you in front of your children/family/friends and not allowing you any food/sleep/freedom.

Financial abuse

This may include not allowing you any money and not paying family bills so you and your children are hungry and cold.

BEAR IN MIND

Anyone can experience domestic abuse, regardless of age, race, sex, income and lifestyle.

Domestic Abuse is far more common than people think.

It is rarely a one off event and tends to escalate over time.

Domestic abuse has a wide ranging negative impact upon children that continues into adulthood.

The Risk to Children

• Violence and abuse within the home has an enormous impact on children.

• Children are wholly dependant upon the adults around them to make them feel safe.

• If a child does not feel safe, this may have long term damaging effects on their development.

• Children witnessing or hearing violence and abuse can experience guilt, shame, terror, aggressive behaviour, bedwetting, low self esteem, depression and may underachieve at school.

• There are many agencies that can offer support to you and your children. Do not be embarrassed or afraid to seek help.

• It is not true that because you are experiencing domestic abuse a social worker will take your children away. They will work with you to ensure that both you and your children are safe.

YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE.

Local Services

Hampshire Police Domestic Abuse Unit

Hampshire Police has specialist domestic abuse units throughout the county who can offer advice and explain procedures. They can be contacted via the switchboard on 0845 045 4545. In an emergency, if your safety is threatened, please call 999.

Hampshire Police – 0845 045 45 45

In an emergency – 999

Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB)

An organisation that offers free confidential advice and information, including benefit entitlement, financial difficulties, housing and legal assistance.

Winchester CAB – 01962 848000

Bishops Waltham CAB – 01489 896376

Solicitors

A solicitor can help to protect yourself and your children by applying for various orders through the civil courts. You may be entitled to public funding to cover costs; a solicitor will assess whether you are eligible.

Shentons Solicitors – 01962 844544

Winchester City Council

You can approach any local housing authority in England and Wales for assistance if you are at risk in the area you are living.  The local housings authority to which you present may have a duty to secure that alternative accommodation is available on a temporary basis, in a place where you are not at risk.

If your house is a council property, the housing department may be able to change the locks or secure your doors and windows with extra locks. In a crisis, they may find you emergency accommodation in a refuge.

Housing Department – 01962 840222

Trinity Centre

The Trinity Winchester Women’s Centre works with vulnerable women and has a domestic abuse outreach worker. Trinity also offers FREEDOM - a program for women who are experiencing domestic abuse, which aims to break the cycle of abuse. The program is rolling, so one can join at any time.

Trinity Women’s Centre – 01962 866888

Health services

If you are suffering from domestic abuse, your GP can record any injuries and refer you to local services.

Friends of the Family

A local open group supporting vulnerable parents and young children.

Gill O’Shea – 01962 864466

The Olive Branch

A Christian Counselling Service (requires contributions)

01962 848028

Relate

A confidential service offering relationship counselling.

Winchester – 01962 861336

Clouds – Families Plus

If your abuser suffers from alcohol and/or drug dependency, Clouds offer support for those struggling to cope with someone who is misusing substances.

01722 340325

Parentline Plus

A national charity offering help and information for parents and families.

Local office – 02380 619826

National Freephone Helpline – 0808 800 2222

Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling (RASAC)

A free and confidential helpline and counselling service for anyone who has been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives.

Women’s Helpline – 01962 848024

Men’s Helpline – 01962 848027

Winchester Youth Counselling

A free confidential counselling service for young people aged 11-25 who live in the Winchester district.

01962 820444

Victim Support

A service for victims of crime (reported or unreported to the police), offering practical help, someone to talk to in confidence and support/assistance through court.

North Hampshire Victim Support -01256 423860

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