Domestic Abuse

Domestic Abuse is amongst the major causes of youth homelessness. If you become homeless or are faced with homelessness as a result of violence in your home you could be rehoused by the Council in a different area, offered emergency refuge accommodation, or support in making it safe for you to stay at home.

What is domestic violence?

Domestic abuse is rarely a one-off event, and tends to increase in frequency and severity over time. Domestic abuse is about power and control, it can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial or mental. Young people may witness or hear the abuse, get caught up in other ways, or experience it directly in their own relationships.

• Physical: shaking, smacking, punching, kicking, biting, tying up, throwing things, using objects as weapons, female genital mutilation, 'honour based' violence
• Sexual: forced sex, forced prostitution, ignoring religious prohibitions about sex, refusing to practice safe sex, sexual insults, sexually transmitting diseases, preventing breastfeeding
• Psychological: intimidation, insulting, isolating a woman or man from family, criticising, denying the abuse, treating a partner as inferior, threatening to harm other members of the family or take them away, forced marriage
• Financial: not letting a man/woman work, undermining efforts to find work or study, refusing to give money, asking for an explanation of how every penny is spent, making a partner beg for money, gambling, not paying bills

• Emotional: swearing, undermining confidence, making racist remarks, making a partner feel unattractive, calling them stupid or useless

What is NOT ok in a relationship?

If you are in a relationship and feel scared or pressurised into doing things you don't want, this is not ok! If you feel uncomfortable about what is happening, it might be an abusive relationship.

If domestic abuse or violence is happening to you, you might feel too frightened, ashamed or trapped to ask for help. Remember that a loving relationship is based on respect not fear, domestic violence is a crime. There are organisations nationally and locally that can give you advice and support, they are experienced in telling you your options and offering you as much help as you want - they do not judge or tell you what to do.

Who does it happen to?

Domestic abuse or violence is very common and can happen to anyone regardless of whether they are young or old; black, brown, white or dual heritage; diabled or able bodied, gay, straight or bisexual. It doesn't only happen between partners; parents, siblings, other relatives or firends could be abusive.

For more information about Leaving Home in a Hurry click here....

Click here for more information on the services available

Thank you to Broxtowe Women's Project for providing this information