safe exit
Domestic Violence & Abuse
If you are living with a person who is violent or threatening to you or your children, you may need to leave home, at least temporarily, to protect yourself. If you feel at immediate risk in your home, we can help you.
The Government has released a page with information related to Coronavirus and Domestic Abuse.
Please see:
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Dial 999, or you can contact the Police on 101 If you are unable to speak safely, make yourself heard by coughing, tapping the handset or - once prompted by the automated system - by pressing 55. Make Yourself Heard guide |
How to Get Help - Local Services
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Worth Services
Supporting men, women & young people
Tel: 0330 2228181
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Safe in Sussex 0330 333 7416 |
My Sisters' House CIC 01243 697800
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Veritas Justice (Stalking Support) 01273 234773 |
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West Sussex Family Assist |
Safe Space Sussex A list of all Sussex help and support which can be searched geographically |
How to Get Help - National Services
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National Domestic Abuse 24 hour helpline 0808 2000 247 |
Mens Advice Line http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk/ |
Hourglass (harm and abuse of older people) 0808 808 8141 |
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Tel: 08444 99 41 88
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The Suzy Lamplugh Trust (stalking support) 0808 802 0300
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Samaritans are available to talk about any subject and can be reached on 116 123. |
Worried about Your Behaviour? 0808 802 4040 email: info@respect.uk.net
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How to Get Help - Multiple Languages
Polish / Polskie
https://pincic.org/
https://www.vestasfs.org/
https://1q7dqy2unor827bqjls0c4rn-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Survivors-Handbook-Polish-may-08.pdf
www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/2005/ws1094_worth_leaflet_polish.pdf
https://polishpsychologists.org/, email: konsultacje@polishpsychologists.org
https://www.vestasfs.org/domesticviolence
Bulgarian / български
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/2001/ws1094_worth_leaflet_bulgarian.pdf
Lithuanian / Lietuvis
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/2006/ws1094_worth_leaflet_lithuanian.pdf
Russian / русский
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/1997/ws1094_worth_leaflet_russian.pdf
Romanian / Română
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/1991/ws1094_worth_leaflet_romanian.pdf
Portuguese / Português
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/1998/ws1094_worth_leaflet_portuguese.pdf
Other languages
Stalking
The National Stalking Helpline provides advice and guidance if you are being made to feel harassed or intimidated by the behaviour of another person or know someone who is. They can be contacted on 0808 802 0300.
https://www.suzylamplugh.org/pages/category/national-stalking-helpline
Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service provides advice to all survivors of stalking and professionals working with them.
https://paladinservice.co.uk/
What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic Abuse is NOT Love.pdf [pdf] 657KB
Domestic abuse is threatening behaviour or violent acts carried out by one person towards another in romantic or family relationships. It can take many forms, but may involve one or more of the following:
- Physical abuse - the use of violence or the threat of it towards someone.
- Sexual abuse - forcing someone to have sex or making them carry out sex acts they don't want to do.
- Emotional abuse - repeated controlling behaviour, threats or nasty comments towards someone.
- Financial abuse - control over someone's property or how they use their money.
Signs of being a victim of domestic abuse
There may be other explanations for these but signs include:
- Feeling afraid around or very anxious about upsetting your partner or family member.
- Feeling alone and cut off from loved ones.
- Having low self-esteem and feeling that you don't deserve better.
- Needing alcohol, anti-depressants or other drugs to cope.
Links to further support:
- https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/domestic-abuse/recognising-signs-domestic-abuse
- https://loverespect.co.uk/
- https://www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/
Keeping you and your children safe
How domestic abuse can affect a child
Seeing or hearing domestic abuse is upsetting for a child and may affect them in the short or long term. It can lead to the following in children:
- Angry or aggressive behaviour.
- Mental health issues including anxiety, depression and self-harm.
- Not sleeping, having nightmares or bedwetting.
- Getting into trouble or not doing well at school.
Further ways domestic abuse can affect a child, can be found on the NSPCC - Signs, indicators and effects website.
Children may also be hurt if they try and protect someone and get caught in the middle. Those who carry out domestic abuse may also be cruel to or threaten children and it has been a factor in many Serious Case Reviews (which take place when a child has suffered a serious injury due to abuse or neglect).
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/domestic-abuse
Whether you want support and advice for adapting to family life in lockdown, or you’re worried about a child the NSPCC Helpline is available
How you can help a child
- Tell them what they have seen or heard is wrong.
- Tell them they can talk to you or somebody else they trust about their feelings.
- Let them know about services such as Childline, Kooth or The Hideout (Adults), where they can talk about how they feel.
- Plan together what to do if they feel unsafe.
- Further details of ways to help a child, can be found in the Women's Aid Survivors Handbook.
Further links for how to help a child:
- https://www.childline.org.uk/
- https://www.kooth.com/
- http://thehideout.org.uk/
- https://www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/how-can-i-help-my-children/
- https://www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/children-and-domestic-abuse/
- https://www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/taking-children-with-you-to-refuge/