Domestic Abuse

What is Domestic Abuse?

As the NSPCC says:

Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behaviour between people in a relationship. But it isn’t just physical violence – domestic abuse includes emotional, physical, sexual, financial or psychological abuse.

Abusive behaviour can occur in any relationship. It can continue even after the relationship has ended. Both men and women can be abused or abusers.

Domestic abuse can seriously harm children and young people. Witnessing domestic abuse is child abuse, and teenagers can suffer domestic abuse in their relationships.

What Counts as Domestic Abuse?

Even though every situation is different, common traits include:

• Destructive criticism or constant mocking that makes you feel down
• Pressuring you to do things by threatening to take away money, break your phone, lying to your friends about you etc.
• Being jealous of your relationships with other people including friends and family members
• Using force to intimidate you into performing sexual acts when you don’t want to
• Violent restraint, punching, slapping, kicking or any other harmful, physical acts
• Blaming you for the abuse and making out like you’re the one that caused it
• Crying and begging for forgiveness after doing something to you and promising that they won’t do it again but then do

Spot the signs of domestic abuse:

Use the Women’s Aid online questionnaire to work out if something you’re worried about is domestic abuse: www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/recognising-domestic-abuse

Worried if someone finds out you’ve looked at this page?

The Hideout has steps you can take to keep yourself safe: thehideout.org.uk/cover-your-tracks/ 

Where Can You Get Help?

Trafford Domestic Abuse Service (TDAS) – Trafford Domestic Abuse Services helps people directly in the Trafford area at risk of or currently experiencing domestic abuse. They help people work out what to do and what to look out for

TDAS offer a range of services that support children and young people who have been exposed to domestic abuse or are in their own unhealthy relationship and provide educational programmes to prevent children and young people entering into abusive relationships.
Tel: 0161 872 7368. Their office is at: Gorse Hill Studios, Cavendish Road, Stretford, Manchester, M32 0PS

Website: www.tdas.org.uk/traffordcyp 

End the Fear – a Greater Manchester campaign to end domestic abuse. Their website has a directory of different support services that are available to people in the Trafford area. Telephone helpline: 0161 636 7525 or visit their website at www.endthefear.co.uk/directory/trafford

The Hideout – Women’s Aid have created The Hideout to help young people understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it’s happening to you. You can read other people’s stories to find out about their experiences.  thehideout.org.uk/young-people/home/

Refuge – Refuge is a national charity supporting women and children (including boys) at risk of domestic violence. There’s a special guide on their website for young people explaining what domestic violence is and how to look out for it (see link below). They have a 24 hour freephone number that you can call to get immediate and direct advice that is kept confidential, call 0808 2000 247, or see their website at www.refuge.org.uk/get-help-now/for-teenage-girls/

Trafford Rape Crisis (TRC) Sexual Abuse & Rape Support Greater Manchester – TRC offers free confidential and non-judgemental support service run by women for women and girls who have experienced any form of rape, sexual abuse, or sexual violence, whether now or in the past. To learn more about TRC services and make a counselling referral visit website – https://traffordrapecrisis.com/

Used this service? Tell Healthwatch Trafford about it here