Domestic Abuse Support

Domestic Abuse

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse or know someone who is affected by this, it’s important to tell someone.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, did you know it can include the following:

Violence or threats towards you or your children
Calling you names or making you feel bad about yourself
Stopping you seeing friends or family
Not letting you have any money

Abuse comes in many forms including; sexual abuse, bullying, economic abuse, coercive control plus psychological and physical abuse.

This can be from someone, aged 16 or over, who has been an intimate partner or a family member, regardless of their gender or sexuality.

Support

You don’t have to go through this alone, to help you with this we’ve popped together some advice on what to do next:

What are the signs?

Domestic abuse isn’t always easy to recognise.

If you think you are being treated in abusive way or know someone who is in an unhealthy relationship – there are some things to look out for, see below:

Presenting as being scared and/or nervous
Feeling intimidated or threatened
Signs that they are being isolated from family friends and colleagues
Injuries, covering up with clothing to hide cuts and bruises.
Not being able to speak for themselves (when the perpetrator is present), or nervous, evasive when speaking
Dressing differently
Change in appearance, no makeup, less well kept, different clothes
Broken mobile phone
Broken items and furnishings in the house
Locks on interior doors
Not having the freedom to live how they would wish, being prevented from having the freedom of choice
Makes excuses for their behaviour, says sorry a lot
Appears anxious
Doesn’t talk as much or at all when their partner is around

They may also:

Make excuses for their partners behaviour and be in denial around events
Appear lonely, sad and withdrawn
Stop spending time with friends and family
Not seem to have their own money

How do I report domestic abuse?

We work closely with partner agencies such as GDASS, the Nelson Trust GARAS, Victim Support and many other organisations to provide help and support for victims of Domestic Abuse.

We would encourage anyone with concerns to speak to us by either emailing safeguarding@cbh.org, you can call on 0800 408 0000

If you feel comfortable to speak to someone you can at one of our community hubs at Hester’s Way Community Resource Centre , Oakley Community Resource Centre, or St Paul’s Community Hub.

What other support is available?

Below are some useful links to organisations that offer advice, help and support for people who are suffering from Domestic Abuse.

Most of these web pages have an easy escape option so you can exit the web page quickly if you need to.

Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service GDASS

Phone: 01452 726 570
Email: support@gdass.org.uk

Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge

0808 200 0247
www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

Galop (for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people)

0800 999 5428
www.galop.org.uk

Rape Crisis (England and Wales)

0808 802 9999
www.rapecrisis.org.uk

Mankind Initiative Male Victims of Domestic Abuse

01823 334244 to speak to us confidentially.
www.mankind.org.uk

Respect phoneline

0808 802 4040
www.respectphoneline.org.uk

Love Respect

Aimed at 16–25-year-olds, Love Respect explores what is and isn’t a healthy relationship – from physical violence to coercive control, how to get help and what the law can do for you.
www.loverespect.co.uk

Women’s Aid Domestic Abuse Helpline.

www.womensaid.org.uk

Don’t forget

If you have any concerns, let us know by either emailing safeguarding@cbh.org or give us a call on 0800 408 0000

To read our safeguarding policy click here.