Domestic Violence

Swindon Domestic Violence Strategy 2008 - 2011

Update

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to the contents of the draft consultation Strategy.  The Community Safety Partnership is currently working on a three-year action plan, and the final Domestic Violence Strategy will be posted here shortly.

What is Domestic Violence?

• One in four women and one in six men will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives (British Crime Survey 2001/02)
• Two women are murdered every week in the UK by a partner or ex-partner (British Crime Survey 2001/02)
• One in three domestic violence incidents begin in pregnancy (Metropolitan Police Study 2002)

Domestic violence is any violent or abusive behaviour used by one person to dominate and control another within a close personal or family relationship.

It can happen to anyone, in all kinds of relationships – heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. People experience domestic violence regardless of their social group, age, class, lifestyle, disability or sexuality. It can begin at any time – in a new relationship or after many years together.

• It can be physical:
  Beating, punching, kicking, slapping, biting or sexual assault.
• It can be emotional:
  Bullying, isolating from family and friends, undermining self-confidence.
• It can be verbal:
  Put downs, name calling, shouting.
• It can be threats:
  Threats to kill or harm you or another person, including children; to kill or harm pets; threats to kill themselves.
• It can be financial:
  Control over money; not allowing money for personal items, food or transport.

No one has the right to abuse you. Victims may be made to feel responsible for and guilty about the abuse. The decision to take action against the abuser may be a difficult one, but it is important to remember that whether you decide to leave or stay, support and assistance is available.

The Partnership employs a Domestic Violence Co-ordinator to work with agencies, organisations and communities such as Swindon Women’s Refuge, the Police, Health Visitors, NSPCC and Housing to raise awareness of domestic violence and identify ways to support victims and survivors.

Please click on the downloadable pdf file (26Kb) Warning Signs of an Abusive Relationship on how to recognise an abusive relationship.

The downloadable pdf file (72Kb) Friends and Family Leaflet gives advice if someone you know is experiencing domestic violence.

Frank Mullane, whose sister and nephew, Julia and William, were murdered by Julia's estranged husband has read the Friends and Family leaflet. He said:

"The leaflet clearly explains how we help those being abused; what we should or shouldn't say and includes a heart stopping reminder that we may be a victim's only lifeline. I was shaking when I first read the advice, knowing that had I seen it earlier my family might still be intact."

Help and Support

In an emergency always dial 999

National 24-hour domestic violence helpline	0800 200 0247
Swindon Police Domestic Abuse Unit	01793 507801
Swindon Women’s Refuge	01793 536447
Swindon Borough Council Housing Needs Team	01793 463181
Swindon Social Services (Children & Families Service)	01793 466903
Swindon Social Services (Emergency Duty Service) (Evenings, nights, weekends and Bank Holidays)	01793 436699
MALE For male victims of domestic violence	0845 064 6800
Childline	0800 1111
Victim Support in Wiltshire	01380 738888
Broken Rainbow (for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender)	0300 999 5428
Elder Abuse Line	0808 808 8141
The Honour Network - a national helpline for victims affected by forced marriage or honour based violence - open 7 days a week from 9am-9pm	0800 599 9247

Or you can visit the following web pages by clicking on the links below: (all links open in a new browser window)

Women's Aid website (www.womensaid.org.uk)

Men's Advice Line website (www.mensadviceline.org.uk)

Broken Rainbow website (www.broken-rainbow.org.uk)

The Hideout website - for children and young people (www.thehideout.org.uk)

Southall Black Sisters - for Asian and African Caribbean women experiencing domestic violence (www.southallblacksisters.org.uk)

For a copy of the Wiltshire Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel Annual Report 2009 - 2010, please click here.