What is Domestic Abuse?

Everyone has the right to live a life free from fear and harm

What is domestic abuse?

The UK government’s definition of domestic abuse is:

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour,  violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.

This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following:

Coercive Control
Psychological and/or Emotional Abuse
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Financial or Economic Abuse
Harassment and Stalking
Tech/Online Abuse

Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Coercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.

Domestic Abuse includes 'honour’ based violence (HBV), female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage (FM).

Domestic abuse does not have any boundaries - it can happen to anyone and anybody can be an abuser, regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, religion or belief, and sexuality. Whilst domestic abuse occurs in all relationships, evidence shows the vast majority of domestic abuse incidents are carried out by men and experienced by women.

Whilst the government definition applies to those aged 16 or above young people under 16 can be in abusive relationships.

Safer Places recognises that survivors of domestic abuse who experience other forms of oppression and discrimination may face further barriers to disclosing abuse and accessing support.

If you are being abused, remember you are not alone.

We can help you by providing advice and support with:

Improving your safety
Emotional support
Housing and homelessness
Finances and welfare benefits
Access to legal services
Support reporting abuse if you choose to
Parenting and children
Immigration and No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

If you are in immediate danger contact the police on 999

To find out more about how we can help please see our accommodation and outreach services.

Latest

Help for Family and Friends

Domestic Abuse can happen to anyone and the chances are that you may know someone impacted by abuse – a parent, sibling, friend or colleague who is experiencing abuse or has done in the past. If you are trying to support someone, unless the person confides in you and are open about their experiences it can be difficult to address your concerns directly.
Spotting the Signs

There are many ways an abuser abuses. Abusers seek to gain power and control over another person or person. It can often start off small, with lots of different events that gradually chip away or erode confidence. Survivors have said domestic abuse makes you feel that you are losing your “sense of self” and that you can’t trust your own judgement or feel you don’t have the right to make decisions.

Are you in a trauma bond?

A blog post about trauma bonds from Lexie - Safer Places' Children and Families Worker
Level 3 Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA)

Each year more than 100,000 people in the UK are at imminent risk of being murdered or seriously injured as a result of domestic abuse (Safe Lives, 2015). The IDVA course designed for professionals working with families affected by domestic abuse. This qualification will enhance professionals’ practical knowledge, improving the response and ensuring the safety of victims and their families.
J9 Initiative

The J9 Domestic Abuse Initiative aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse and assist survivors to access support safely by training professionals and members of the community to recognise domestic abuse and respond to survivors. Once J9 trained, the J9 logo is displayed, letting survivors know that they have a safe place to access information and use a telephone to contact support services.
Work With Us

At Safer Places, our team are our most important resource and a real asset to us. Having a highly competent, survivor focused, experienced and resourceful team is key to delivering a high quality service. We are proud of our team and our organisational culture is really important to us. Working for Safer Places is no ordinary job. Every role in our organisation plays a part in delivering on our Mission. We work hard to create an environment that inspires and empowers staff to give their bes
Level 3 Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA)

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) 2022 estimate that 2.3% of adults aged 16 years and over were victims of sexual assault (including attempts) in the previous year. This course will build your skills, knowledge, and confidence when supporting victims of sexual abuse including victims from reporting through to the court system.
About our Training

At Safer Places we have a range of training courses and qualifications available, from short 3 hour sessions to Level 2, 3 and 4 accredited qualifications.
Contact Us
Accommodation

Safer Places has 8 refuges across Essex and Hertfordshire, including specialist therapeutic refuge spaces for women with multiple needs and women with no recourse to public funding. A refuge is a temporary safe home where survivors of domestic abuse and their children can stay. It is staffed by experienced and dedicated support workers who provide individual client led support and help survivors find new safe accommodation. Our accommodation includes a combination of self-contained f
Mission and Values

Vision Safer Places vision is a society where everyone lives a life free from fear and abuse
Help in a Crisis

If you or your children are in immediate danger, call the police on 999. If you are not in immediate danger and would like to talk to us about your options, call our helpline on 03301 025811. We will provide you with the support and information you need to consider your options and decide what to do to improve your safety and that of your children.