This can be a worrying time for those living with domestic abuse. If you’re finding it difficult to be at home whilst self-isolating, help and support is available. Visit Safe Lives for more information.
Phone 999 if a crime is being committed or if someone is in immediate danger.
Contact Leicestershire police on 101 if you think a crime has been committed but there is no immediate danger.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of violent, threatening or abusive incidents of behaviour between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family.
It can be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or financial and can include:
- controlling, isolating, threatening or coercive behaviour
- family and partner violence, which can be in the presence of children
- forced marriage
- honour-based violence, used as an umbrella term to describe a collection of practices used to control behaviour within families or other social groups to protect perceived cultural and or religious beliefs
What to look for
If you believe that you or someone else could be a victim of domestic abuse, there are signs that you can look out for including:
- being withdrawn or anxious
- having bruises
- controlling finances
- not being allowed to leave the house
- monitoring technology use such as social media platforms
Help and advice
If you live in Leicestershire, Leicester City or Rutland and you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse or sexual violence, there are many organisations and charities that can offer confidential advice and support:
- Leicestershire Police - 101 (Ask for a Victim Liaison Officer)
- UAVA - 0808 802 0028
- Women’s Aid Leicester - 0116 283 2225
- Leicestershire Citizens Advice - 0844 417 1025
- Men’s Advice Line - 0808 801 0327
- Galop - 0800 999 5428
- Age UK - 0800 678 1174
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247
- NSPCC - 0808 800 5000
- Samaritans - 0845 790 9090
If you are in danger, always call 999 and ask for the police.
If you're unable to talk, listen to the questions from the operator and respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can. If prompted, press 55 – this will transfer your call to the police. Please note that pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.
Domestic abuse strategy
The Leicestershire Domestic Abuse Reduction Strategy 2022-25 outlines how Leicestershire County Council (LCC) will work in partnership to reduce Domestic Abuse and support victims and how the statutory duties associated with the provision of safe accommodation will be implemented, as required by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
This Strategy adopts the Government definition of domestic abuse which is outlined in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The new definition emphasises that domestic abuse is not only physical violence, but can also be emotional, coercive or controlling behaviour, and economic abuse.
It describes how safe accommodation and support for domestic abuse (DA) victims and survivors will be provided over the next three years and outlines five objectives that will be the focus of delivery:
- Early Intervention and Prevention
- Targeted Support
- Reachable Services
- DA Act (Part 4) – Safe Accommodation
- Strong Partnerships