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Domestic Violence, (also referred to as domestic abuse), is physical, sexual, physcological, or financial abuse that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship.
It can happen to anyone, no matter what their age, race, gender or sexuality.
It can also happen in any relationship whether it be heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
It is more common for the abuser to be male and the victim to be female, but it can also happen the other way round and in same sex relationships. This is still wholly unacceptable and deserves just as much awareness.
Some facts about domestic abuse.
- It is estimated that the police receive a call from a victim of domestic violence every minute
- On average a women gets assaulted 35 times before she reports it to the police
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime
- On average 2 women a week are killed by their current or former partner
- In Suffolk domestic violence accounts for 25% of all violent crime
If you or somebody you know are experiencing domestic abuse you can find more information and help line numbers on Suffolk's very own dedicated website: http://www.onesuffolk.co.uk/breakthepattern
What is the council doing about domestic violence and abuse?
We have joined Babergh Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum. It brings together a number of organisations in order to share best practice and sharpen working arrangements. All of these organisations may have victims of domestic abuse turn to them and they need to be able to deal with that sensitively and professionally.
The Forum's two key messages are:
- Domestic abuse in Babergh is ALWAYS unacceptable
- Victims of Domestic abuse are not alone
What projects are the Forum involved with?
Befriending Service
Run by the Forum this helpline provides one to one support for those in abusive relationships. You can contact them on: 07875644018
"Survivor's Stories" DVD
The Forum have produced a training tool which depicts the lives and diversity of domestic abuse survivors. It was officially launched on the first day of the "White Ribbon Campaign" which is Monday 26th November 2007. In addition to releasing this DVD the Forum have launched their own website. For further information please visit: http://www.domestic-violence-survivors-stories.org.uk/
If you are a practitioner who would be interested in using the DVD as a training tool please contact: community@babergh.gov.uk
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