Domestic Abuse

The Safer Havant Partnership is committed to reducing domestic abuse in the Havant Borough and the unacceptable harm it causes to those who suffer. Follow the bookmarks below for information and advice on domestic violence and abuse issues:

Police launch new campaign to tackle abuse in the home

Hampshire Constabulary, supported by the Safer Havant Partnership, has launched a new campaign to tackle domestic abuse in the Havant Borough.

This Hampshire-wide campaign will run from September 2010 – January 2011 and will include the use of a range of tactics to deal with this serious issue and raise awareness of the services that are available to victims. Additional services will be put in place over this time and new techniques will be used to gather evidence, including the use of cameras worn by police officers who are called to attend domestic abuse cases.

Chief Inspector Will Schofield, Police District Commander for Havant and Waterlooville commented: ‘Hampshire Constabulary aims to provide the best possible service for victims of domestic abuse through the use of specialist officers, innovative evidence-gathering techniques and by working closely with partner agencies.'

Havant Borough Council, Havant Women’s Aid and Victim Support are supporting the police campaign through a number of innovative projects, including the funding of specialist training for Victim Support volunteers on domestic abuse issues together with training to work with male victims. The Safer Havant Partnership has also supported the production of a new brochure for victims aimed at building up their self-confidence.

Tim Pointer, Community Safety Team Leader at Havant Borough Council commented: ‘These projects are a great example of public sector agencies working closely with voluntary organisations in the Borough to tackle the issues that really matter to local people’.

Havant parents urged to be aware of signs of teenage abuse

Most parents don’t think that abuse can take place in teen relationships, but it happens all the time. And it can happen to anybody. In a recent national survey one in three teenage girls said they had been sexually abused by a boyfriend. And boys can be victims too. Warning signs that there might be problems in your teenager’s relationship may include:

Making excuses for a boyfriend or girlfriend
Spending less time with their friends
Feeling depressed or being more quiet than usual
Becoming angry if you ask how they are

It is important to talk with your teenager about the dangers of abusive relationships. If they are in an abusive relationship, you can help them understand that it is not acceptable.

Follow the link below for more information if you are concerned that your child might be in an abusive relationship:

External link for parents concerned about domestic abuse >>

Need to build up your self-confidence? This may help…

The Safer Havant Partnership have provided support to Victim Support to produce a new information pack helping people to be more assertive, to challenge negative thoughts and to take control of their lives. If you are a victim of domestic abuse or anti-social behaviour, if a community safety problem has been getting you down, or if you just feel you would like to build up your confidence, follow the link below for exercises, information and advice aimed at working on self esteem:

Link to Victim Support's Confidence pack (PDF file) >>

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional), between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. Domestic abuse frequently co-exists with child abuse.

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime
2-3 women a week are killed by their partners or ex-partners in the UK alone
Although only a minority of incidents of domestic abuse are reported to the police, the police still receive one call about domestic violence for every minute in the UK
Domestic abuse can affect people of any age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth and geography, every day of the year. Follow the link below for advice for anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse:

Don’t suffer in silence: Useful contacts

As with any crime, if you are in immediate danger you should call the police on 999. The following organisations offer support and advice to anyone affected by domestic abuse:

Havant Women’s Aid

Havant Women’s Aid provides a number of services to women and their children who have experienced or who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Havant Women’s Aid runs a refuge offering support and temporary accommodation to women and children escaping domestic abuse. They also offer outreach to families not staying in the refuge but still in need of advice, support and information. Other available support includes:

Telephone advice
Counselling
Individual tailored advice to women, focusing on their current risks and options for safety
Specially provided workshops
Play therapy, free play and structured play
Group and individual sessions for children and young people of all ages
Holiday activities
Refuge accommodation

Contact Havant Women’s Aid on 02392 480 246 or call the national 24 hour domestic violence helpline on 0808 2000 247.

External link to Havant Women's Aid website >>

Victim Support

Victim Support is an independent national charity for people affected by any crime. Their volunteers are specially trained to give information, practical help and emotional support to people who have been threatened or abused. Victim Support’s services are confidential, free and available to everyone.

Call the national Victim Supportline 0845 3030 900 or contact your local Victim Support office on 023 92 653111

Broken Rainbow National Helpline

Broken Rainbow provides services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who are experiencing domestic abuse. For help and advice call 0300 999 5428.

External link to the Broken Rainbow website >>

Men's Advice Line

The Men's Advice Line is a confidential helpline for all men experiencing domestic violence by a current or ex-partner. This includes all men - in heterosexual or same-sex relationships. For information and advice call 0808 801 0327.

Further contacts

Follow the link for details of other services that are available to victims of domestic abuse:

Link to directory of services available to domestic abuse victims (PDF file) >>