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Support for domestic violence and sexual abuse in Derbyshire

If you, or anyone else, is in immediate danger, call 999. 

To report a non-urgent incident to the Police, call 101.

Need help, but making a noise could put you in danger?

If you find yourself in a situation where you need the emergency services, but making a noise could put your life in danger, help can still be provided.

Dial 999 then press 55 and the operator will know you need help.

Be aware, a silent 999 call will not always get a response.

Please remember that you are not on your own and support is available.

Your health

Living with abuse takes its toll and it's normal to experience emotional difficulties when living with abuse and the aftermath of an abusive relationship. As well as talking to your GP, you can self-refer for support and gain further assistance from the following organisations

If you're considering having a Forensic Medical Examination (whether or not you want the Police to investigate your assault) there's more information about what this involves in this guide.

Children & young people

Children are individuals and can react in a number of different ways to being brought up in a house in which there is domestic abuse, but the risks of harm to children exposed to abuse are recognised.

Children and young people can also perpetrate abuse and it's important they are supported whether they are perpetrating or experiencing it.

If you can, talk to your child’s health worker or school about what is happening so they can make sure your children are supported. You can also contact children’s social care for advice and support:

Salcare - Art Psychotherapy for children and young people

Art Therapy is a psychotherapy service for children and young people aged 6 – 18 years old. Our criteria for referrals is that the individual must live in the Derbyshire area and that they have witnessed, been involved or lived in a house where there has been Domestic Abuse, current or historic.

The Elm Foundation - Support for children and young people

Our service provides one-to-one support, determined via a needs-based assessment and tailored to the individual. The support worker will look at topics such as safety, confidence, family, sleep, school, feelings and behaviour with the young person.

We provide the tools to children we work with to help them to make positive changes in their lives. We work with a wide range of materials, resources and activities so we can tailor resources to the child.

The Freedom Programme

Domestic violence and sexual abuse can have a profound and long-lasting impact on those living with it. As such, you may still be feeling the after-effects even if you left an abusive relationship some time ago.

This online course was primarily designed for women who have been abused as research consistently shows the majority of cases of serious abuse are male on female. However, there is also a programme for men being effected by abusive women.

The aim is to help you make sense of what's happened, to understand how children are affected and to enable you to recognise how life can be without abuse.

You can access the course through several agencies in Derbyshire (ask your health visitor for your best option) or you can also get access online for a small fee The Freedom Programme.

Protect your pets

Abusers will sometimes hurt the family pets in order to cause distress.

  • Some WISH refuges accept pets and there are other charities that offer short term pet fostering until you can get back on your feet.

Speak to your local housing association

Many of the social housing associations have specially trained tenancy support officers who will support you with applications and legal processes.

If you're a social housing tenant, you can always speak to your housing association about the support they can offer. Please contact the relevant housing team:  

Choose to change

“Sometimes when we argue I shout at her. She's scared of me”

“I get so angry at times and I just lash out at him; and then I regret it”

“I slapped her once and promised it would never happen again…but it did”

You may not intend hurting your family, but if you recognise yourself in the statements above, you are.  It’s important to face up to the impact your behaviour is having so that you can choose to change.

Abuse is something that's said or done that hurts another person physically, emotionally, sexually or mentally. Domestic violence is a number of abusive behaviours, both physical and non-physical, that may occur frequently or infrequently. In most cases there is a pattern of abuse.

Studies show that children suffer long term harm if they live with violence and abuse at home, even if the abuse isn’t directed at them.

Get support to make a change

The RESPECT Changes Programme is a voluntary programme that assists those who are concerned that they might be hurting, scaring or controlling their partner and who want help to make it better. You can find out more about the programme by visiting The Elm Foundation - Respect Changes Programme.

There is no charge to use this service and the Changes programme is now available for referrals. 
 
We accept referrals from a variety of sources, including self-referrals. Our referring criteria is as follows: 

  • Person is aged over 18
  • Who is using violent and abusive behaviour to their partners/ex-partners
  • Who has some recognition of their abusive behaviour and show some willingness to change it.

If you suspect that someone you know is mistreating their partner, just get in touch by replying to this email or completing our contact form so we can discuss your referral.

The 180° Project

The 180° Project will provide you with a varied programme of support, which is tailored to your needs following a suitability assessment.

You’ll be supported to recognise the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship, take accountability for your behaviour and learn to identify safer ways to deal with your emotions.

We understand that it can be difficult to talk about these things. That’s why we’ll listen to you and help you identify your key priorities to make changes.

At work

If your line manager receives a report or disclosure that identifies you as a potential perpetrator of abuse, they will encourage you to seek support from an appropriate source to address your behaviour.

As with any other risks disclosed, your line manager will need to consider whether there's a legal or professional obligation to share information in order to protect those at risk, both in work and at home. They will be open with you about this and will only do this on a “need to know” basis.

If you're cautioned or convicted of a criminal offence relating to domestic abuse, you should inform your manager immediately and may be subject to disciplinary action. You will be treated fairly and honestly and will be kept informed of the progress of any investigation.

If you work with children, please be aware that your manager will have a responsibility to inform the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) about any circumstances in which it is alleged that you have:

  • behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child
  • possibly committed a criminal offence against children, or related to a child
  • behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates you are unsuitable to work with children

The LADO is responsible for co-ordinating the response and will advise your Manager about how to manage this.

Other services to help you 

You may be feeling bad about how you've behaved - ashamed or guilty. As well as talking to your GP, below are links to other services that may be able to help if you are struggling.

Your legal rights

As well as the Citizen’s Advice bureau, you can access legal advice from the Derbyshire Law Centre. 

There are also organisations which may be able to support you through the legal process if you're not able to engage a solicitor. You can find more information at:

McKenzie Friends

If you need help getting an emergency injunction, this can be sought through the National Centre for Domestic Violence. They'll provide a fast, free emergency injunction service regardless of financial circumstances, race, gender or sexual orientation.

Finally, if you are worried you're in a relationship with someone who may have been abusive before and may harm you (or you are worried about someone else who is) you can always ask the Police to look into their records and share any information necessary to help keep people safe, known as "Clare's Law".

Right to Ask leaflet

Remember, if you think that you or anyone else is at risk of immediate harm, dial 999

Financial support

Find your local Citizen’s Advice who can give advice on a range of financial and legal issues. 

You may also be able to apply for discretionary funds through your union, or for funding and support through an organisation such as Cavell Nurses’ Trust.

There are many ways you may be experiencing an unhealthy or abusive relationship. Our relationship health checklist aims to give you an idea of some behaviours that may be of concern

We've developed a list of definitions and terminology, including an explanation of controlling and coercive behaviour to help.

If you're worried, please contact the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Support team to talk it through.

Hollie Guard personal safety app

Hollie Guard turns your mobile phone into an advanced personal safety device at the touch of a button.

A simple shake or tap of your phone activates Hollie Guard, immediately notifying your chosen contacts, pinpointing your location and sending audio and video evidence directly to their mobile phones.

Bright Sky support app

Bright Sky provides support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or is concerned about someone they know.