Rushmoor CAB

Domestic abuse means any form of physical, emotional, psychological or sexual abuse, usually by your partner or spouse. This can be:

physical attack - whether or not it results in injury
threatened attacks
verbal abuse
mental cruelty

Whatever form it takes, it is serious andyou do not have to put up with it. You need to consider seriously your own safety as well as that of your children. It is often difficult to know what to do about it. Here we aim to give you the main options you have, and give you some practical information to help you sort things out.

If you do this you will need to find somewhere temporary or permanent to stay. Depending upon how urgent your need is, the following options are possible

Women’s refuges can provide safe, short term accommodation, including help and support (see separate section).
Your local housing authority may have a duty to accommodate you under Homeless Persons legislation.
Alternatively you may prefer to rent privately or stay temporarily with friends or relatives.

You may feel it is more important to stay in the home to avoid disruption and distress for your family. It can also make it easier to establish your right to the home. There are various ways to get the violent partner out of the home, depending on your circumstances.

CAB can explain the different orders Courts can make, but you will usually need a solicitor to do this

When pursuing any action, reporting the offence to the police will

Ensure records and evidence of abuse is there for future reference (for housing, legal action etc)
Allow the police to take action against the violent partner

The priority of the police is to support you and to make sure the abuse cannot happen again. There are officers who are specially trained to deal with domestic abuse, and provide appropriate help to you.

You will need a solicitor to take civil action against your partner. This can be done very quickly in emergencies. You should choose a solicitor carefully, and find out about costs. CAB can advise you about legal aid, and which firms specialise in domestic abuse. Details of local firms can also be found in yellow pages.

Besides your local Citizens Advice Bureaux, the following organisations can help:-

Can support you in dealing with the emotional and practical difficulties involved in domestic abuse. They can also support you at court if needed.

Princes Gardens, 2a High Street, Aldershot, Tel: 01252 342777

Taking Steps offers an unconditional, positive and non-judgemental environment for male and female victims of domestic abuse. It provides a chance to meet people experiencing similar problems and to receive practical & emotional help.
The Group meets on a Monday morning at Park Children's Centre, Aldershot from 10am to 11.45am.
Free creche facilities are available.

Contact Gerrie Jordan; Tel: 01489 577818 / 07810 430689
or e-mail gerrie.jordan@btopenworld.com

This Group aims to be friendly and informal, helping to reduce the feelings of isolation and helplessness. It will be facilitated by the outreach worker from the local women's refuge and is open for men and women.
The Group meets on a Thursday morning between 10:30 and 11:45 at St Christopher's Church, Cove.
Free creche facilities are available but please advise in advance if needed.

Contact Nina Thomas; Tel: 07725 958219
or e-mail nina.thomas@homegroup.org.uk

The local council will help with additional safety measures to make the victim’s home more secure. These include additional locks, panic buttons and in some cases the creation of a “safe room” within the home.

Contact Rushmoor; Tel: 01252 398638 or Hart: 01252 622122

Refuges can provide safe space, as well as practical and emotional support.
The local refuge also offers an outreach service with similar support for women who wish to remain in their own homes.

Each refuge will have slightly different rules and will offer different levels of support, and some are very specific (eg one is for the particular needs of Asian women). If you decide to go to a refuge, you may be able to self-refer but it is more usual to be referred by an agency, such as Social Services, Police, Samaritans or the CAB.

There are several refuges within a 20 mile radius of Rushmoor but it may be more important to get away completely from the local area:

24 hour helpline provides advice and information, including information on refuges throughout England: Tel: 0808 2000 247

Aldershot CAB - Farnborough CAB - Heathlands CAB

DOMESTIC ABUSE