Tackling Domestic Abuse
Domestic violence and abuse is the power or control over one person by another. It can be in many forms including physical, psychological, sexual, emotional, verbal and financial abuse between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members. It can happen to anyone, regardless of their social group, class, age, race, disability, sexuality or lifestyle.
The majority of domestic violence incidents are committed in marriage or intimate relationships, or after the relationship has ended. Other family members can be perpetrators too, and domestic violence and abuse affects all members of the family, especially children living in the household.
Anyone who is forced to alter their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner’s reaction is being abused.
CSPs across Lancashire, including the upper tier authorities of Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner continually commission services that help victims, perpetrators and their children. These services can either be based in the community and specialist services in domestic abuse refuges too. From trying to prevent domestic abuse, to responding to incidents and providing recovery from the impact of abuse – a whole range of services are available across the Pennine area.
If it is happening to you
You are not to blame. It can be hard to recognise or admit that you are the target of domestic violence and abuse. Your abuser may tell you it is your fault but no victim asks for it or deserves to be abused regardless of what the victim says or does. You have the right to live with respect and safety and to put your own and your children’s needs first.
If it is happening to someone you know
Victims of domestic abuse often don’t realise they are in an abusive relationship and if they do, they may feel they are to blame in some way and that there is no way out. There are many reasons why a victim may find it difficult to leave an abusive relationship. They may be worried about losing their home or their children if they seek help. Despite what some people might think, ending an abusive relationship isn’t an easy thing to do. Victims need to know they will receive the help and support they require.
How we tackle domestic violence and abuse in Lancashire
Our aim is to prevent harm and save lives and we believe the best way to do this is for different agencies to work together and to work as one to provide a bespoke service for anyone that needs our help. We are committed to protecting victims and taking firm action against offenders and offer a range of services which can help.
For further details on the services available or for a confidential chat with our trained domestic abuse advocacy service please contact us.
Domestic violence disclosure scheme: Clare’s Law
From 8 March 2014, the domestic violence disclosure scheme will be implemented across England and Wales. Find Out More
Domestic Homicide
When someone has been killed as a result of domestic violence (domestic homicide) or commits suicide a review should be carried out. Professionals need to understand what happened in each homicide and to identify what needs to change to reduce the risk of future tragedies. Find Out More
What is a Domestic Homicide Review?
A Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) is a review into the circumstances around a death of your friend or family member following domestic abuse. The purpose is to establish what can be be learned from the death regarding the way in which local professionals and organisations work individually and together to safeguard victims.
They are a way to ensure that public bodies – like police, councils, social services and other community and voluntary based organisations – understand and learn from the circumstances that led to the death. These reviews can also help raise awareness in the wider community of how to help victims of domestic abuse.
Each Domestic Homicide Review aims to highlight ways of improving responses to domestic violence and to prevent further deaths. These reviews became law in April 2011.
If you have lost a family member through domestic abuse, the local Community Safety Partnership (CSP) should write to you letting you know whether or not a Domestic Homicide Review will be undertaken. The CSP will set up the review and they should invite you to contribute. This would give you the opportunity to share your understanding of what happened and why. It is best practice for friends to be spoken to as part of the review too. They may have valuable information to add to the review.
You can read the Home Office Statutory Guidance for Domestic Homicide Reviews on the Government Website
