Domestic Violence

The Home Office’s definition of domestic abuse or domestic violence 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 occurs across society regardless of age, gender, sexuality, wealth and geography. It is violence largely perpetrated by men against women, though can be perpetrated by women against men, or those in same sex relationships.

Are you living with Domestic Abuse?

• Does your partner demand to know where you have been, what you have been doing, who you have been talking to?
• Does your partner stop you seeing friends and family?
• Are you afraid of your partner?
• Does your partner hit, punch, shove, slap, kick, bite, spit or threaten you or your children with these actions?
• Does your partner constantly criticise you or your abilities as a partner or parent?

If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship.

Do you need support or advice?

If you feel you need any advice or support please click on the link below to contact organisations who can help you.

However, please contact the Police on 999 in cases of emergency. In all other cases please dial 0845 6060365 to be connected to your nearest police station.

Domestic abuse support organisations contact numbers.

Related Information

• Cover your tracks on-line
• Information for mothers
• Information for children
• Planning to leave
• Legal advice
• Welfare Rights information

Statistics of Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is chronically underreported and research indicates that nationally:

• It accounts for 16% of all violent crime.
• It claims the lives of two women a week.
• It will effect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men.
• It has more repeat victims than any other crime.

In County Durham:

• There are over 6,000 reported incidents a year.
• Domestic abuse accounts for a significant proportion of all violent crime.

The Government has developed a National Action Plan to tackle the issue, putting victims and witnesses at the heart of everything. You can view a report published in 2005 below. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.

National Domestic Violence Plan 2005 (29 pages, 126kb)

What's happening in County Durham?

In County Durham each of the five Community Safety Partnerships has domestic violence as a key issue to be addressed as part of the work of the Community Safety Partnerships.
The Council is contributing to this agenda by:

• Supporting the County Durham and Darlington Domestic Abuse Forum Executive and Core Strategy Groups.
• Supporting the work of the Community Safety Partnerships.
• Facilitating the development and implementation of the young people’s video and classroom work.
• Supporting local Domestic Abuse Forums.
• Supporting the development of a voluntary perpetrator programmes.
• Supporting the Early Years partnership and Sure Start Programmes.
• Supporting individuals and families affected by domestic violence.

Durham County Council has also produced a County Durham Domestic Violence Strategy, which has been agreed by the Community Safety Partnerships. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information. County Durham Domestic Abuse Strategy 06-08.pdf (6 pages, 30kb)

Your local city, borough or district council may also offer some support in terms of alternative housing in cases of emergency or if you have to leave home. Please click on the relevant link to find out exactly what they offer.

• Chester-le-Street District Council
• Derwentside District Council
• Easington District Council
• Sedgefield Borough Council
• Teesdale District Council
• Wear Valley District Council

If you are a Male Perpetrator of Domestic Abuse

If you are concerned about your behaviour and want help to change there is a voluntary programme available to help you. The programme lasts for 32 weeks and runs on a Monday evening from 6.00pm to 9.00pm. For further information please call 0776 8368119.

If you are a Male Victim of Domestic Abuse

The following organisations provide support and help to men who are victims of domestic abuse:

Group	Contact
Mankind Initiative North East	0114 2631714
Mankind Initiative (National)	01643 863352
Men's Aid	01334 474384
Male Advice and Enquiry Line	0845 0646800
The Men's Advice Line Freephone Service (free from landlines and some mobiles) (Mon - Wed 10.00am-1.00pm and 2.00pm-5.00pm) or email info@mensadviceline.org.uk	0808 8010327
Harbour	0845 6027308
Survivors UK - a dedicated service helping survivors of male rape and sexual abuse (Mon, Tues, Thurs - 7.00pm-10.00pm)	0845 1221201