Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence is a crime.

Domestic Violence 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

Statistics

National research has shown that:

Every week in the UK, 2 women are killed because of domestic violence

1 in 4 women experience domestic violence during their lifetime.

42% of female homicide victims (compared with 4% of male victims) were killed by their current or former partner in England and Wales in 2000/01.

60% of women affected by domestic violence had left the relationship fearing that either they or their children would be killed by the perpetrator of domestic violence.

In 40% of homeless women cases, domestic violence was a major contributory factor to the homelessness.

Between 30 - 40% of cases of domestic violence start during the pregnancy of the victim.

The highest incidence of domestic violence was reported by women aged 20-24, 28% of whom had been assaulted and 33% had either been assaulted or threatened by an intimate partner at some stage in their lives.

Help me!

Don't become the next statistic. Take control and get help.

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.

They can help you to:

• discuss your options
• take action to protect yourself and your loved ones
• change your life to live in safety and without fear

In an Emergency

In an emergency call Sussex Police on 999 to obtain immediate assistance. Ongoing support is available through Crawley Police Station's Anti - Victimisation Unit and specially trained officers can be contacted on 01293 583914.

Women's Aid and Refuge are the two national charities working to end domestic violence against women and children. They offer support and a place of safety to abused women by providing refuges and other services.

The national helpline number is: 0808 20 00 24 7

For 24 hour advice: www.womensaid.org.uk and www.refuge.org.uk

North Sussex Women’s Aid, which covers the Crawley, Horsham and Haywards Heath areas, can be contacted Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10.00am and 12.00pm on 01293 522994.

Drop In Centres

Crawley Domestic Violence Drop In Centre opened in June 2000 and has helped hundreds of people and their families deal with the issue of domestic violence. Numerous agencies are represented and advice can be obtained from Police officers, social workers, health visitors, housing officers and solicitors.

No appointment is necessary and the advice is free and confidential - just drop in!

The Domestic Violence Drop In Centre is open every Monday (except bank holidays) between 1pm and 3pm at:

The Orchards,

1-2 Gleneagles Court,

Brighton Road,

Southgate.

Tel: 07961 022 438 during opening hours, or leave a message at other times.

In West Sussex there are 7 Domestic Violence Drop In Centres including Crawley:

Legal Advice

A family law solicitor can offer timely legal advice for your protection including:

• How to get an injunction
• Divorce and separation issues
• Children residence and contact matters
• The financial consequences of separation to achieve your future financial security
• Funding options including the availability of legal aid

You have a free choice of solicitor and it is recommended that you consider using a specialist family solicitor. The following can help you find a good solicitor:

1. Crawley Citizen Advice Bureau keeps a list of solicitors that is available on request. Contact: 0870 126 4087.

2. Law Society of England and Wales telephone 0207 242 1222 or visit the website www.lawsociety.org.uk..

3. Solicitors' Family Law Association (SFLA) are a group of over 5000 solicitors nationwide who promote good family law practice in a constructive and non confrontational manner. The SFLA can recommend a solicitor by telephoning 01689 850227 or visit the website at http://www.sfla.co.uk/

4. Community Legal Advice from the Legal Services Commission (formerly Legal Aid Board) - go to www.clsdirect.org.uk or telephone 0845 345 4 345.

Housing and Benefits

If you need advice about your housing options then Crawley Borough Council's Housing Options team at the Town Hall, Boulevard, Crawley can be contacted on 438931/438779. (Out of office hours on 01293 554666). Click on the link to find out more about Housing Advice from Crawley Borough Council.

For independent housing advice then contact the housing charity Shelter on 01293 419255 at Broadfield Barton, Broadfield. The National Shelter telephone number is 0808 800 4444.

If you need to make an income support or other benefit claim then the local DSS benefits office can be contacted on 01903 286000 or Job CentrePlus on 01293 728200.

Independent benefits advice can be obtained from Crawley CAB on 0870 126 4087.

Crawley Open House is a hostel for street homeless people. It is a direct access hostel - if there is a bed free they will take someone in. Women and men who are fleeing domestic violence can be accommodated if there is a bed space. The hostel is open 24 hours a day 365 days of the year. There is also a Day Centre for anyone who is experiencing the effects of homelessness, unemployment, loneliness, discrimination or social exclusion. It is open from 10am to 2pm every weekday including Bank Holidays and during some weekends.

Crawley Open House can be contacted on 01293 447702 (fax 01293 447703) e-mail: COHPO@hotmail.com

Address: Riverside House, Stephenson Way, Three Bridges, Crawley RH10 1TN

Children

NSPCC (National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children) offer a 24 hour helpline for people concerned about a child at risk of abuse including children themselves.

National telephone for counselling, information and advice: 0800 800 500

The Crawley NSPCC office can be contacted on 01293 449200.

Education Welfare Officers are skilled in supporting families experiencing domestic violence difficulties. Children are the innocent victims of domestic violence and it is important that their routine is kept and the opportunity to attend school can give affected children much needed support. Both parents and children can be assisted to ensure continual school attendance.

Call 01293 895325 for advice.

If a child has relocated to the Crawley area help can be offered to place a child in a new school through the Admissions team on 01293 895182.

Emotional & Practical Support

Victim Support is a national charity set up to provide emotional support and practical guidance to victims of crime to help them overcome the emotional stress and material consequences of crime. Victim Support is committed to offering support through specially selected and trained caseworkers to those who are or who have experienced domestic violence. Support is on-going initially by telephone.

Crawley Victim Support can be contacted on 01293 613010. National 24 hour helpline no: 0845 30 30 900

Samaritans offer confidential 24 hour support to any person of any age with any problem.

National telephone number is 08457 90 90 90. The local Samaritans office can be contacted on 01403 276276

Relate is Britain's largest couple counselling agency and has a clear message on domestic violence - it is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. Relate have counsellors who have specialist domestic violence training and can offer support and guidance to a victim by individual relationship counselling. Relate West Sussex actively supports domestic violence initiatives and it is with most grateful thanks to them that their offices in Crawley (as well as Horsham and Chichester) are used as the base for the Domestic Violence Drop In Centre.

Relate can be contacted on 01293 517925. The National Relate number is 0845 130 4010

Social and Caring Services

Children and Families Services are notified of any domestic violence incident where the police attend and it is known that there are children in the home. The risk of harm to children will be assessed with the provision of help and support to an adult domestic violence victim. If an adult is vulnerable due to being elderly, suffering mental health problems or learning or physical disability then needs will also be assessed and services provided.

Crawley Social and Caring Services can be contacted on 01293 895100

West Sussex County Council's website contains a Directory of Services in West Sussex which is a useful guide for people experiencing domestic violence. It contains information on services broken down into regions, with contact details for each organisation.

Everybody has the right to live their lives free from domestic violence

Links

• www.counselling-directory.org.uk
• http://www.femalehealthissues.co.uk/