domestic abuse or violence
believe housing is committed to supporting any person who is experiencing domestic abuse and will work closely with our partner agencies to ensure that the appropriate safeguards are put in place and that the victim’s rights and wishes are respected.
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If you or someone you know has been subjected to domestic abuse please contact us for advice and support. We can talk you through the options available and offer help to access the appropriate services, support agencies and security measures.
Domestic abuse includes, but is not limited to:
- Physical abuse can include hitting, punching, kicking, slapping, hitting with objects, restraining, strangulation, choking, pushing or shoving.
- Sexual abuse can include rape, coerced sex, forcing someone to take part in unwanted sexual acts, refusal to practice safe sex or use contraception.
- Psychological abuse can include isolating someone (not allowing them to see friends or family), using threats (to harm their family, children, friends, pets), humiliation, embarrassing or undermining someone in front of others.
- Financial abuse includes the control of someone’s money or bank accounts, refusing to allow someone to work, and building up debts in their name.
- Coercive behaviour is an act or pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation, intimidation, or other abuse used to harm, punish, or frighten the victim.
- Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person dependent by isolating them from sources of support, depriving them of the means of living independently, and regulating their everyday behaviour.
- Stalking is the unwanted, persistent harassment or attention of another person. This can take place in person or digitally, via the internet known as cyber-stalking.
Reporting domestic abuse:
Durham Constabulary
Call: 101, or 999 in an emergency
Visit: www.durham.police.uk/Advice-Centre/Personal-safety/Domestic-abuse.aspx
Durham County Council Housing Solutions
Call: 08081 968406
Visit: www.durham.gov.uk/housingsolutions
Sunderland City Council
Call: 0191 520 5551
Visit: www.sunderland.gov.uk/housing
Stockton Borough Council
Call: 01642 528389 or out of hours 01642 524552.
Visit: housing.options@stockton.gov.uk
Harbour
Call: 0300 020 2525
Visit: www.myharbour.org.uk/
Wear Valley Women’s Aid
Call: 01388 600 094, or 07946 190 203 (24hr)
Visit: www.wvwa.co.uk
National Domestic Violence Helpline
Call: 0808 200 0247
Visit: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Men’s Advice Line
Call: 0808 801 0327
Paladin
Call: 0203 8664107
Visit: www.paladinservice.co.uk
Alice Ruggles Trust – they don’t directly offer support but they have a directory of other local support services.
Visit: www.alicerugglestrust.org
Suzy Lamplugh Trust
Visit: www.suzylamplugh.org
National Stalking Helpline
Call: 0808 802 0300
Hourglass – Challenging and preventing the abuse of older people.
Call: 0808 8088141
Visit: www.wearehourglass.org
Halo – Supporting victims of honour based violence, forced marriages and FGM.
Call: 01642 683045
Visit: www.haloproject.org.uk
Galop – Supporting LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.
Call: 0800 999 5428
Visit: www.galop.org.uk
Galop also have a specialist hate crime helpline which is 0207 7042040
Angelou Centre – BME-led women’s centre based in Newcastle, offering women only services for BME women.
Call: 0191 226 0394
Visit: www.angelou-centre.org.uk
Signhealth – Specialise in providing domestic abuse support for deaf people.
Visit: www.signhealth.org.uk
Northumbria Police
Visit: northumbria.police.uk
Cleveland Police
Visit: Cleveland.police.uk
Surviving economic abuse
Visit: https://survivingeconomicabuse.org/
No recourse to public funds
Visit: https://survivingeconomicabuse.org/i-need-help/getting-support/no-recourse-to-public-funds/