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Domestic abuse awareness and information
Domestic Abuse Strategies
Wiltshire's Domestic Abuse Strategy and Wiltshire's Strategy for the Provision of Domestic Abuse Support in Safe Accommodation were published in draft in October 2021.
Both strategies have been produced by the Wiltshire Domestic Abuse Partnership Board, which is a collaboration between Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Police, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Clinical Commissioning Group, National Probation Service and our community and voluntary sector. Together, we are committed to achieving our shared goals on preventing, supporting and safeguarding those impacted by domestic abuse in Wiltshire, and ensuring access to services early and ensure greater accountability and justice is sought against those perpetrating it.
Wiltshire's Domestic Abuse strategy can be found below:
In May 2023 multi-agency members of Wiltshire's Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board reviewed the progress made against the Wiltshire Domestic Abuse Strategy in Year 1. The Year 1 Implementation Plan Review can be found below:
The introduction of the new Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is an integral piece of legislation that will help to protect and safeguard those impacted by domestic abuse.
Wiltshire's strategy for the provision of domestic abuse support within safe accommodation, will outline how together the partnership will work collaboratively to provide victims and their families who have been impacted by domestic abuse a range of options to remain safe at home or access suitable alternative safe accommodation and support. This work seeks to complement existing work taking place across the county to address health and wellbeing, community safety and housing needs of those who are experiencing domestic abuse in Wiltshire.
Wiltshire's strategy for the provision of domestic abuse support in safe accommodation can be found below:
Wiltshire out of hours helpline: 01225 712880 (5pm - 8am Monday - Friday and 24 hours at the weekend)
National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Free text messaging service providing mental health support to Wiltshire residents
If you live in Wiltshire and need somebody to talk to about your mental health or you are struggling to cope you can text WILTS to 85258 for free and confidential text message support that won't appear on your bill.
Trained volunteers are here to listen and can help with anxiety and stress, depression or sadness, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, panic attacks, loneliness or isolation, abuse and bullying. The volunteers can provide you with tools to help you going forward and can point you in the right direction of other local support that can be accessed.
If your life is at imminent risk, please call 999 for immediate help.
On 19 September 2012, following a public consultation, the Deputy Prime Minister announced that the government would be extending the definition of domestic violence so that young people aged 16 and 17 would be included. The change is being introduced to increase awareness that young people from this age group do experience domestic violence and abuse. The new definition was implemented on 31 March 2013. Whilst this is not a legislative change, the definition will send a clear message to victims about what does constitute domestic violence and abuse.
Is this love?
One persons dominates and controls the other. For example:
your boyfriend/girlfriend gets angry when you talk to someone else
your boyfriend/girlfriend is verbally aggressive or physically threatening
your boyfriend/girlfriend calls you names, puts you down, makes you feel bad
your boyfriend/girlfriend uses force, threats, emotional blackmail or bargains to make you do things you don't want to do
your boyfriend/girlfriend threatens to harm any of your friends, family, pets or property
your boyfriend/girlfriend posts unpleasant or intimately revealing things about you on the internet
This is control and this is abuse.
Jealousy and isolation is when
someone cuts you off from your friends
gets angry when you talk to other people
Aggression is when
someone yells and shouts at you
uses physical violence
gets in to fights with other people
uses violence to solve problems
Put downs are when
someone makes you feel stupid
calls you names
makes nasty comments
generally puts you down
Control is when
someone checks on you all the time
where you are
where you have been
who you are with
threatens or forces you to do things you don't want them to do
doesn't let you make your own decisions
Sexual abuse is when
someone does sexual things to that you don't agree to
If any of these things are happening to you, you may be in an abusive relationship
Relationship abuse is not a one-off event. It's a cycle and it usually gets worse if nothing is done to stop it.
It's not your fault.
Types of abuse
This includes:
name calling threats
humiliation
blame
insults
put downs
isolation from friends/family
ridicule
intimidation
being ignored
control
pressure
extreme jealousy
This includes:
putting a person in danger
pushing
slapping
hitting
punching
kicking
hair pulling
choking
burning
using a weapon or other object to harm
This includes:
pressuring someone in to having sex (this could include touching, kissing, fondling, oral sex or penetration)
taking photos of someone in a sexual situation when they don't want to be photographed or are not aware of it (including on a mobile phone)
sending those photos to other people or posting them on websites
forcing someone to look at pornography
offering someone to another person for sex
This includes:
controlling how your money is spent
restricting access to essential resources such as; food, clothing or transport
denying the means to gain employment, education or training to improve income
This includes:
monitoring of social media profiles or emails
abuse over social media such as Facebook or Twitter
sharing intimate photos or videos without your consent
using GPS locators or spy ware
Abusers are responsible for their behaviour. If you are in an abusive relationship, the best thing for you to do is end it.
This may be tough and you may need help:
find support from people who care about you
contact one of the support organisations listed in 'where to go for help'
carry a mobile phone or phone card and phone numbers of people or organisations who can offer support
Two people feel good about themselves and each other.
Good relationships include things like:
being good friends
freedom to do your own thing
time and space to see your friends
having your own interests
knowing your opinions are respected
listening to each other
having fun together
trusting each other
being able to disagree with each other
being able to go at your own pace - including sexually
making decisions together
being able to talk about it when you have an argument
feeling safe
respecting the decision if either of you want to end the relationship
Everyone deserves respect and there are no excuses for abuse. Physical assault is a crime so be true to yourself and remember, someone who loves you cares about you.
Where to go for help
Always call 999 if you are in immediate danger
Tel: 0808 2000 247
Free and confidential 24hr helpline run by Women's Aid and Refuge. This helpline will take calls from children and young people.
Relate Mid Wiltshire offers a counselling service for young people aged 7-19 years who are experiencing emotional distress including those who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse. The aim is to improve self-esteem, resilience and their ability to cope.
FearFree Support Service is an independent charity established in 1989.
We mend lives. We work free of charge with victims, children and perpetrators of domestic abuse. We work to encourage healthy relationships. We do this by offering one-to-one support:
for adult victims of abuse
support services for young people who have witnessed abuse
a scheme offering befriending and emotional support (Buddy Scheme)
a voluntary programme for male perpetrators of domestic abuse to help change their harmful behaviour
If you are abusing someone, you need help
If you want to change your behaviour, you can - with help. To talk to someone who can help:
phone FearFree Support Service on 01225 775276 - FearFree Support Service offer advice and structured support for those who act in abusive ways and provide support for victims.
Respect offers information and advice to people who behave in abusive ways, as well as those who are victims of abuse. Nothing is so bad you can't talk about it.
