Domestic Violence and Abuse
Links to Domestic Abuse procedures and relevant documents
Domestic Abuse - Notifications to Schools
Learning from Multi-Agency Case Audits involving Domestic Violence
Support groups and organisations for victims of domestic violence
Domestic violence is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.
Less than half of all incidents of domestic violence are reported to the police, but they still receive one domestic violence call every minute in the UK.
The vast majority of the victims of domestic violence are women and children. When there are children in the household, the majority witness the violence that is occurring, and in 80% of cases, they are in the same or the next room. In about half of all domestic violence situations, the children are also being directly abused themselves.
Women are also considerably more likely to experience repeated and severe forms of violence and sexual abuse. Men are also victims of domestic violence but perceived cultural barriers can make it difficult for men to report domestic violence.
Men and women may experience domestic violence regardless of ethnicity, religion, class, age, sexuality, disability or lifestyle. Domestic violence can also occur in a range of relationships including heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender relationships, and also within extended families.
NSCP's Domestic Abuse Procedure
See Domestic Abuse in the online NSCP Procedures Manual.
Training for professionals in relation to Domestic Abuse
Free e-learning course: 'Domestic Violence and Abuse'
This course is primarily aimed at those who may come in to contact with children, young people, adults at risk and/or their families during the course of their work in the voluntary, statutory and independent sectors. The course includes:
- Explanation of what domestic violence and abuse is and who is most at risk
- Facts and myths surrounding domestic violence and abuse
- The physical and psychological effects of domestic violence and abuse
- The impact of domestic violence and abuse on the unborn child, children and young people
- The behaviours displayed by a perpetrator
- Positive and negative ways to support cases of domestic violence and abuse
- Best practices
- The "dos and don't's" of assisting in a domestic violence and abuse case
- Recognising when and where to get help
Go to the e-learning page for more info and to access this course.
Domestic Abuse - Notifications to Schools
See details and briefings on the Domestic Abuse Notification Scheme for Schools. This page also includes frequently asked questions about the scheme.
Visit the Domestic Abuse Notification page for more details.
Learning from Multi-Agency Case Audits involving Domestic Violence
Multi-agency case audits analyse cases along specific themes, identifying strengths and weaknesses and publishing these as a learning summary for professionals. See the recent Domestic Violence Learning Summary.
Support groups and organisations for victims of domestic violence
SafeLives (formerly CAADA): www.safelives.org.uk
National charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse. The website is aimed at professionals informing and training specialists and interested parties in the area of domestic abuse, improving and influencing policy, advising commissioners and supporting workers on the ground especially around MARAC. This website has good links to the latest DA research and documents.
Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service (NDAS) www.ndas.co.uk
Local charity that has been operating since 1974. NDAS provide safe refuge for men, women and children fleeing domestic abuse. NDAS also provide a specialist refuge for female victims of abuse that also have drug and alcohol addictions.
NDAS also offer:
- Group work
- 12 week intensive support programme for adult victims
- Drop in services
- Specialist training for professionals
NDAS can be contacted in a variety of ways:
- 24 hour helpline: 0300 0120154
- Email: advice@ndas-org.co.uk
- Online chat www.ndas.co
- Facebook messenger: www.facebook.com/NorthamptonshireDAS
EVE (formerly NVCFR): www.eveda.org.uk
A registered charity working with survivors of domestic violence and abuse since 1984. We are based in Northampton but take referrals for refuge accommodation from all over the Country. We have been running a Family Refuge in Northamptonshire for over 35 years.
Our Restored Programme helps women who are victims of domestic abuse to rebuild their lives and prepares them for a future. We offer therapeutic group work sessions for women, children and families that help them to identify domestic abuse and to develop the resilience and confidence to change their lives. We also train professionals in a range of topics to help them help victims become survivors.
WEN Women's Aid: www.wenwomensaid.co.uk
Provides safe, secure and confidential accommodation in three refuges within Northamptonshire for women and their children who are fleeing domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence. We also provide an Outreach & Support Service for women who live in their own accommodation.
www.thehideout.org.uk
Women's Aid have created this space to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it's happening to you.
The website has pages aimed directly at children, young people and adults.
National Domestic Violence Helpline: www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk
24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline 0808 2000 247
Immediate information and support for women experiencing domestic violence.
If lines are busy on the Helpline, keep trying. Quieter periods are after 4pm, evenings, nights and weekends. In an emergency, always call the police by dialling 999.
In addition to the Helpline, the Women’s Aid and Refuge website links can provide immediate online support and information for women experiencing domestic violence.
Domestic Abuse Against Men - NHS Choices
Information and help on the NHS Choices website for men who may be experiencing Domestic Abuse.
Last updated: 12 January 2024