Domestic Abuse
August 2009
Domestic Abuse
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is defined as ‘any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between people who are or who have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender’. The abuse could be psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional. It might include any of the following:
§ Physical attacks
§ Being locked in your home
§ Being denied access to money
§ Being prevented from seeing family and friends
§ Threats of physical and/or sexual abuse
§ Threats to children
§ Rape
Most frequently it is women who are abused by men. But it can equally apply to men abused by women. ‘Abuse can occur in heterosexual relationships and in same sex relationships or lesbian and gay relationships.’
What will we do for anyone experiencing domestic violence?
We are committed to treating domestic violence seriously. We will treat all enquiries confidentially and sensitively.
For Mosscare Housing tenants we will:
§ Offer a private interview conducted by a person of the same gender
§ Not expect a person or family to remain in or return to accommodation in a property which is considered a risk to a person or their child’s safety
§ Ensure that priority for re-housing is given to people who have suffered domestic violence
§ Discuss what legal remedies can be taken to help people who have suffered domestic violence.
What about the perpetrators of Domestic Violence?
If any Mosscare Housing tenant is convicted for causing abuse then we will investigate and use the appropriate powers available to take action against the tenant for breach of their tenancy conditions and/or anti social behaviour.
What to do in an emergency situation
In an emergency dial 999
For emergency accommodation contact:
Women’s Direct Access
(Single women without children)
Homeless Families
Tel: 0161 234 4847
Out of office hours
0161 224 6452 / 4743
Men’s Direct Access
(Single men without children)
Are there any other options?
There are a number of refuges within Manchester and UK wide. A refuge is a house where women who have experienced violence can live with or without their children. Support and advice is given on benefits, your legal rights and re-housing. They are also able to provide counselling and practical support and an aftercare service once a person has moved on.
What if a person doesn’t want to go into a refuge?
No-one has to go into a refuge if they don’t want to. Refuges have Outreach Workers who are able to offer support and practical help for people to stay in their own home if that is what they prefer.
Contact Manchester Domestic Violence helpline on 0161 636 7525
for further information
USEFUL NUMBERS
Family Law Association
Provides help with finding a solicitor
National Domestic Violence Helpline
Information available in a range of languages
Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline
Supports and assists women who want to leave home by referrals to refuges and
safe houses. They also provide an outreach service for people who wish to remain in their own home and receive support.
Sojourners House
Outreach project aimed at Afro-Caribbean women – open door policy to all women
Asian Women’s Outreach Project
Specialist outreach project providing a city-wide service to Asian women
Relate
Confidential counselling
Rape Crisis
0161 273 4500
Samaritans
0845 790 9090
Broken Rainbow
National domestic violence helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
communities
0845 260 5560
Websites: www.wdvh.org.uk
