Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone no matter your age, race, class, culture, disability, gender, sexuality or lifestyle.
Women’s Aid defines domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, by a partner or ex-partner. These incidents can include coercive control; psychological and/or emotional abuse; physical abuse; sexual abuse; financial abuse; harassment; stalking; and/or online or digital abuse.
Many people experience domestic violence and other forms of abuse without ever being physically abused. It is important to know that non-physical forms of abuse can be as destructive and as undermining as physical violence. Whilst the vast majority of those who experience domestic violence – and all forms of gender-based violence – are women, it can affect anyone.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse or are concerned about a colleague please remember that our University has guidance for our staff and their managers. We also have colleagues in Human Resources who are trained in issues relating to domestic abuse.
Telephone lines
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24-hours a day, for free and in confidence on 0808 2000 247 or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk (access live chat Mon-Fri 3-10pm).
Male Victims of Domestic Abuse – Please call 01823 334244 to speak to Mankind confidentially.
Women's Aid has a directory of local support.
Emergencies
If the situation is critical, call 999 and ask for the police.
If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone you can then press 55. This will transfer the call to the relevant police force who will assist you without you having to speak.
Other support
If serious abuse is reported to you or to a colleague, advise your employee to contact the police on 101.
Line managers should maintain regular contact with their team members as part of good management practice. If you lose touch with employees, please take action to re-establish contact.
If you are concerned about someone that works for you and want more advice on what to do, please contact your People and OD Partner in the first instance.
You can learn more about what is legally required of employers here: https://www.eida.org.uk/ . Employers have a duty to safeguard the wellbeing of staff - the statutory guidance accompanying the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 makes clear that employers should consider the impact of domestic abuse on their employees as part of their duty of care.
Domestic abuse all too often follows a survivor into the workplace:
- Over one in ten of those who experience domestic abuse report that the abuse continues in the workplace, in 81% of cases this is through abusive emails or phone calls.
- 47% of those experiencing domestic abuse say that their perpetrator turned up at their workplace or stalked them outside their place of work.
- In a 2014 report, 16% of those who had experienced domestic abuse said that their perpetrator worked in the same place as they did.
Refuge can support you whatever your decision. They run a range of services which will support you no matter what your experience of violence (domestic violence, sexual violence, forced marriage, ‘honour’-based violence, human trafficking and modern slavery) including refuges, community-based projects, culturally-specific services, and support for women going through the criminal justice system.
The Bright Sky mobile app, free to download from the App Store or Google Play, provides support and information to anyone who may be experiencing domestic abuse or is concerned about someone they know. If you don't feel comfortable downloading the app, visit the Bright Sky website for more information.
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24-hours a day, for free and in confidence on 0808 2000 247 or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk (access live chat Mon-Fri 3-10pm)
Manchester Women’s Aid provide services so that domestic abuse survivors can live a life free from the fear of domestic violence and abuse. They provide safe and confidential temporary accommodation, play services, advice and support, dedicated case workers and support groups.
Natasha's story
Hollie's story
Sophie's story
The Mankind Initiative has a number of case studies, experiences and stories of male victims
The Mankind Initiative is the principal, expert and specialist charity in the UK focussing on male victims of domestic abuse. The charity collaborates and works in close partnership with other organisations and practitioners to support these victims too.
Male Victims of Domestic Abuse – Please call 01823 334244 to speak to us confidentially
Our confidential helpline is available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.
We provide an information, support and signposting service to men suffering from domestic abuse from their current or former wife, partner (including same-sex partner) or husband.
This can range from physical violence or object throwing to abuse such as constant bullying or insults.
The helpline is a listening service which provides emotional support, practical information and signposting.
We receive calls from male victims of domestic abuse across all age ranges and professions, from dustmen and doctors, to, bankers and builders.
Other information
If your partner, family member, carer or anybody else is controlling your financial affairs, then this is financial abuse. Financial abuse is a form of domestic abuse and is a way of having power over you. It involves someone else controlling your spending or access to cash, assets and finances. This can leave you feeling isolated, lacking in confidence and trapped.
Moneyhelper Guide
If you're LGBTQ+ and experiencing domestic abuse, or think you know someone who is, LGBT Hero has information to help keep you safe and find support.
For the National LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Helpline, call 0800 999 5428.
