Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a crime. It is physical assault as well as psychological and emotional abuse.

Abusive behaviour can include:

• constant criticism and belittling comments
• verbal abuse and threats to you and your children
• isolation and control of contact with family and friends
• restrictions on entry/exit from your home
• intimidation
• controlling behaviour
• denial of privacy
• oppressive control of finances
• destruction of personal property and possessions.

If you are experiencing domestic violence or are a previous victim of domestic violence there are many organisations that can offer urgent assistance to you and your family in the Crawley area.

In an emergency

In an emergency call Sussex Police on 999 for immediate assistance. You can also get 24 hour help on the Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247.

Emergency alarm

A Lifeline is a personal alarm system that provides a link between you and the people you can rely on, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The system connects through your phone and is made up of a base unit and pendant.

Local support

Rise is a charity which supports women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse across West Sussex. Rise services include: refuge accommodation, resettlement, crisis appointments, helpline, counselling, housing, legal and financial advice, solicitors appointments, support groups, play therapy, 1-to-1 support and training and preventative education. For help, advice and support within office hours call Horsham Rise on 01403 750499.

WORTH (Ways of Responding Through Health)

WORTH Services have teams of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors across West Sussex available 7 days a week for people who live in, are visiting or relocating to West Sussex.

Trained Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) provide support to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Crawley’s IDVA Service can be found at:

Crawley Urgent Treatment Centre
Crawley Hospital
West Green Drive
Crawley
West Sussex
RH11 7DH

Tel: 01293 600 300 Ex 3511
Tel: 01293 600 300 Ex 3510 (with voice mail)

The Saturn Centre SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre)

The Saturn Centre is the sexual assault referral centre based at Crawley Hospital. It provides a range of services to women and men who have been raped or sexually assaulted including linking to local independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) to provide ongoing support. It is open for police referrals or to people who want to self-refer without involving the police. The phone number is: 01293 600469.

Social Services

3rd Floor, Crawley Library, Southgate Avenue, 01293 895100.

http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/living/social_care.aspx

Crawley Citizens Advice Bureau

1-2 Gleneagles Court, Brighton Road, Southgate, Crawley or 0844 477 1171

Provide advice on a range of issues including welfare benefits, housing and legal. General information can be found on the CAB advice guide website http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index.htm

Housing advice

For advice about your housing options contact the council’s Housing Options Team on 01293 438931/438779 (10am - 12noon).

The council also run a Sanctuary Scheme, which offers enhanced security measures for victims of domestic violence to enable them to stay in their home.

For independent housing advice contact Shelter, the Crawley office located at Barton House, Broadfield Barton can be contacted on 0344 515 1749. The national Shelter number is 0808 800 4444 www.shelter.org.uk

Victim Support

Victim Support provide emotional support, information and practical help for victims and witnesses of crime. Victim Support Sussex can be contacted on 0845 389 9528 Monday – Friday 8am to 8pm, for immediate help over the phone contact the Victim Supportline on 0845 30 30 900

http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Crawley Relate

Crawley office – 1-2 Gleneagles Court, Brighton Road, Crawley. 01293 657055

National Relate number 0300 100 1234. www.relatesussex.org

Sussex Police

For information on how the police can help and what happens when you report domestic abuse, visit the Sussex Police website .

County Council information

There is lots of useful information about domestic violence on the West Sussex County Council website .

West Sussex County Council directory of services provides information on where you can find support and advice regarding domestic violence.

National support and information

Women’s Aid and Refuge

National freephone 24-hour domestic violence helpline – 0808 2000 247, run in partnership by Women’s Aid and Refuge.

www.womensaid.org.uk

www.refuge.org.uk

There are a number of links to useful websites on the Women’s Aid website , covering a wide range of domestic violence related issues.

Legal advice

Community Legal Advice offers free, confidential and independent legal advice to people living on a low income or benefits and who are eligible for legal aid.

Call 0845 345 4 345. You can also text ‘legalaid’ and your name to 80010 and CLA will call back within 24 hours.

Support for friends and family

Support for friends and family of women experiencing domestic abuse .

Advice for men

Men’s advice line – advice and support for men in an abusive relationship

0808 801 0327

Mankind - Provide help and support for victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence. National Helpline 01823 334244 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm and 7pm-9pm)

Support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

Broken Rainbow – support and advice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people experiencing homophobic, transphobic and same sex domestic violence. Helpline 0300 999 5428 (Monday 2pm-8pm, Wednesday 10am-1pm and Thursday 2pm-8pm) www.broken-rainbow.org.uk

Other useful websites

Counselling Directory – connecting you with professional support

www.femalehealthissues.co.uk – information and advice on women’s health issues