Carlisle & District Citizens Advice Bureau
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence means any form of physical, emotional, psychological or sexual abuse, usually by your partner or spouse. This can be:
physical attack - whether or not it results in injury
threatened attacks
verbal abuse
mental cruelty
Whatever form it takes, it is serious and you do not have to put up with it. You need to consider seriously your own safety as well as that of your children. It is often difficult to know what to do about it. Here we aim to give you the main options you have, and give you some practical information to help you sort things out.
1. Leaving the home
If you do this you will need to find somewhere temporary or permanent to stay. Depending upon how urgent your need is, the following options are possible:
Women's refuges can provide safe, short term accommodation, including help and support
Your local housing authority may have a duty to accommodate you under Homeless Persons legislation.
Alternatively you may prefer to rent privately or stay temporarily with friends or relatives.
2. Staying in the home
You may feel it is more important to stay in the home to avoid disruption and distress for your family. It can also make it easier to establish your right to the home. There are various ways to get the violent partner out of the home, depending on your circumstances.
CAB can explain the different orders Courts can make, but you will usually need a solicitor to do this
3. Using the Police
When pursuing any action, reporting the offence to the police will:
Ensure records and evidence of violence is there for future reference (for housing, legal action etc.).
Allow the police to take action against the violent partner.
The priority of the police is to support you and to make sure the violence cannot happen again. There are officers who are specially trained to deal with domestic violence, and provide appropriate help to you.
4. Solicitors
You will need a solicitor to take civil action against your partner. This can be done very quickly in emergencies. You should choose a solicitor carefully, and find out about costs. CAB can advise you about legal aid, and which firms specialise in domestic violence. Details of local firms can also be found in yellow pages. You can also obtain a list of solicitors from the CLS Directory www.clsdirect.org.uk
5. USEFUL CONTACTS
Besides your local Citizens Advice Bureau, the following organisations can help:-
For urgent help
Domestic violence and abuse 24 hr helpline
Freephone 08005-876500Carlisle Women's Refuge
01228 591 995
Police
In an emergency ring 999, otherwise 0845-045-4545.6. OTHER SUPPORT & COUNSELLING SERVICES
Rape Crisis
Provides support and counselling to anyone over 16 who has suffered any sexual abuse or assault, however long ago.
Tel: 01900 829 729
Email: info@rapecrisis.org.uk
www.rapecrisis.org.uk
The Samaritans
Tel: 01228 544 444 or 08457 90 90 90
Relate
Relationship counselling.
Tel: 01772 717 595
www.relate.org.uk
7. GOING TO A REFUGE
Refuges can provide safe space, as well as practical and emotional support.
Each refuge will have slightly different rules and will offer different levels of support, and some are very specific (eg one is for the particular needs of Asian women).
If you decide to go to a refuge, you may be able to self-refer but it is more usual to be referred by an agency, such as Social Services, Police, Samaritans or the CAB.
There are refuges within Carlisle area but it may be more important to get away completely from the local area:
Women's Aid Federation of England aka Refuge
Advice and information including refuges throughout England:
Free 24 hour helpline- 0808 20 00 2478. OTHER NATIONAL HELPLINES
Shelterline
Freephone 0808 800 4444
Childline
Freephone 0800 1111
NHS - 24Hr medical help
Freephone 0845 4647
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline
Freephone 0800 800 500
Careline
0181 514 1177
Male Advice & Enquiry line
0845 064 6800
Our Carlisle office is open......
Wednesday to Friday 10am - 4pm
also...
Saturday 10am to 12 noon.
Admin Line: 01228 633 909
Advice Line: 01228 633 900