Page updated: 13 Sep 2011
Domestic abuse
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One in four women (and one in six men) in the UK will be the victims of domestic violence during their lifetime, according to research estimates. Two women a week are killed by a current or former male partner.
Domestic violence is officially classified as 'any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults who are or have been in a relationship together, or between family members, regardless of gender or sexuality'.
Adults experiencing domestic abuse sometimes don't realise that they're being abused, especially if the abuse they’re subjected to isn’t physical, and not all abuse is physical.
People think of domestic abuse as something that happens to other people: young couples or middle aged people in relationships, but it can happen to any adult and is more than beating, slapping, hitting, and kicking. It includes emotional and psychological abuse, forced marriages and so-called 'honour crimes'.
It's abuse if your partner or a family member:
- threatens you
- shoves or pushes you
- makes you fear for your physical safety
- puts you down, or attempts to undermine your self-esteem
- controls you, such as stopping you seeing your friends and family
- is jealous and possessive, such as being suspicious of your friendships and conversations
- frightens you
Where can you get help in Trafford?
You don’t have to wait for an emergency situation to seek help. You can talk to your family or hospital doctor, nurse, health visitor or midwife, or use the useful contacts below.
Greater Manchester Police
In an emergency, call 999
Textphone: 0800 112 999
Domestic abuse unit: 0161 856 7574
General enquiries/text type: 0161 872 5050
Adults
Trafford adult safeguarding team: 0161 912 5135
Textphone: 0161 912 2102
Named nurse for vulnerable adults: 0161 873 6084
Children and young people
Multi agency referral assessment team (MARAT): 0161 9125125
Childline: 0800 1111
NSPCC: 0808 800 500
Muslim youth helpline: 0808 808 2008
The Hide Out www.thehideout.org.uk
Victim support and witness service Trafford: 0161 912 3238
Women's Domestic Abuse Helpline (Greater Manchester): 0161 636 7525
Web: www.wdachoices.org.uk.
Trafford Women's Aid: 0845 241 1117
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
Black and minority ethnic communities
Karma Nirvana Honour Network Helpline: 0800 5999 247
Jewish Women's Aid: 0800 59 12 03
Aanchal: 0845 451 2547
Chinese Information and Advice Centre - Women's Support Project:08453 131 868
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender communities
Broken Rainbow: 08452 60 44 60
The Survivor's Handbook from the charity Women's Aid is free and provides information on a wide range of issues such as housing, money, helping your children and your legal rights. The handbook is available as a downloadable PDF in 11 languages.
For forced marriage and ‘honour’ crimes, contact Karma Nirvana (0800 5999 247) or The Forced Marriage Unit (0207 008 0151).
If you decide to leave
The first step in escaping an abusive situation is realising that you're not alone and it's not your fault. Try to get advice from an organisation such as Women's Aid or Refuge before you go.
If you're considering leaving, be careful who you tell. It's important that your partner doesn't know where you're going. Planning is very important. If you decide to leave, it will help to take:
- documents, including birth certificates for your children, passports, any medical records, benefits books, and mortgage or rent details
- your address book
- house keys
- if you have young children: baby items, some clothes and a special toy for each child
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