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Forms of abuse
Domestic abuse can take many forms and can affect anyone, it’s a serious issue, one that often goes under-reported and, in many cases, undetected. Here are some of the common forms of abuse.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse or you are worried about a friend, you can contact our community safety team or alternatively contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Find more support agencies here.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.
Stalking
Stalking is defined as ‘any form of behaviour from another person which is persistent, unwanted and harassing, causing fear or anxiety’. There is a lot of misunderstanding around stalking, with many people thinking it can only happen to famous people. It’s often thought to be a ‘one off’ crime too, but it usually takes place over time.
Signs of stalking
- Unwelcome attention from somebody seeking a romantic relationship.
- Receiving unwanted gifts.
- Being followed persistently.
- Malicious communication.
- Internet and social media use being monitored.
This list is in no way definitive, and signs differ from case to case, but it’s an example of some of the ways stalking might unfold.
The Stalking Protection Order
Anyone experiencing stalking should report it to the police. If appropriate they will apply for a Stalking Protection Order (SPO) which prohibits the offender from coming into contact with the person they are stalking.
Support for stalking
Elder Abuse
We all have a duty to respect those around us, particularly older adults who might need additional support or have become more isolated with age. Elder abuse is a national concern and can take on many forms, including physical and emotional harm. It can also involve financial exploitation and neglect by a care giver.
We have many supported housing schemes across the south and southwest of England where our dedicated team work closely with older adults to make sure they’re safe at home.
All areas of our business work together to make sure every resident receives the support they need, and our Community Safety team are readily available to complete risk assessments and refer people to external agencies if appropriate.
If you’re a resident and would like to speak to our Community Safety team, call us on 0300 123 1 567.
Adolescent to Parent
Most forms of abuse do have definitions, provided by charities and the Government, although we recognise every case is different and would never assume it can easily defined. In this case, adolescent to parent violence is ‘any form of behaviour by a young person to control and dominate their parents.’
Signs that it’s happening at home:
- Altered behaviour to avoid confrontation with a young person.
- Verbal and physical episodes causing fear or distress in an adult.
- Threatening behaviour, e.g. blaming a parent for things, suggesting violence.
- Stealing or damaging family possessions.
- Critical and dismissive attitude to a parent.
- Cruelty towards pets.
If you’re a resident and would like to speak to our Community Safety team, call us on 0300 123 1 567
Other support agencies:
FGM
Warning: you may find some of this content upsetting
What is FGM?
Female Genital Mutilation is a procedure which involves the partial or total removal of a woman’s genitalia for non-medical reasons. More than 200 million girls and women have been affected by this, so while it’s not widely spoken about it is an essential issue that needs more awareness.
An estimated 170,000 women and girls are living with FGM in the UK. 65,000 girls aged 13 and under are at risk in the UK. It can happen anywhere in the world.
FGM has serious health consequences and long-term impacts on mental and physical health and by talking more openly about this, and gaining better knowledge and insight into it, we can better spot possible warning signs, such as changes in behaviour and prolonged absences.
There are a number of positive things happening to help tackle FGM in the UK. This includes:
- Improving police response.
- Better funding for charities to raise more awareness.
- The introduction of a national FGM prevention programme.
- Partnership working with NHS England.
If you’re a resident and would like to speak to our Community Safety team, call us on 0300 123 1 567
Other support agencies
Abuse towards women
Domestic abuse (DA) can happen to anyone and every case must be taken seriously, however the majority of cases recorded (and many still go un-reported) are of violence against women by men.
Violence against women is a gendered crime. It can involve forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and sexual abuse. But it’s also complex, and no two cases are the same. Organisations such as White Ribbon exist to raise more awareness of male violence against women, and you can find out more about their work to stop it here.
- Around one in four women aged 16-59 will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
- Two women a week are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales.
- 1.7million women experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022.
If you’re a resident and would like to speak to our Community Safety team, call us on 0300 123 1 567.
There are also many amazing organisations working to stop domestic abuse and provide women with a safe place to go if home is no longer an option. These include:
Abuse towards men
One in three of every domestic abuse victim will be male, so we know it happens and there’s a need to highlight it.
There’s a lot of unhelpful beliefs attached to masculinity and being male that play a part in abuse against men going unreported. Phrases like ‘man up’ and ‘men don’t cry’ are examples of this. But we’re all human with emotions and it’s important to remember anyone can feel a certain way.
The stats:
- Male victims of abuse are over three times as likely as women not to tell anyone about partner abuse.
- One in every five victims of forced marriage is a man.
- 13% of men are rough sleepers because of partner abuse.
Signs of a man being abused:
- Changes in behaviour
- Changes in physical appearance and clothing
- Changes in contact
- Changes in behaviour at work
If you’re a resident and would like to speak to our Community Safety team, call us on 0300 123 1 567.
No one should have to be silent about their experiences and everyone has the right to live free from abuse. If something isn’t spoken about, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. But there is help available, and here’s a list of support services that provide support for male victims.
Abuse towards LGBTQ+
We felt it was important to recognise domestic abuse within the LGBTQ+ community. The stats show us that it is prevalent and more needs to be done to protect people who may be at risk. This includes young people who may come under threat based on their sexuality or gender.
The stats:
- 29% of LGBTQ+ respondents disclosed an incident of abuse involving someone they live with.
- 49% of all gay & bisexual men said they’ve experienced domestic abuse from a family member or partner since the age of 16.
Like many cases of domestic abuse, incidents in the community often go unreported which has led to a false belief that it only happens between men and women.
If you’re a resident and would like to speak to our Community Safety team, call us on 0300 123 1 567.
There are a host of dedicated charities doing amazing work to support the LGBTQ+ community. Here’s a list of just some of them:
Signs of Abuse
Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone. Find out how to recognise the signs and where to get help: NHS: Domestic Violence and Abuse
Domestic violence, also called domestic abuse, includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse in couple relationships or between family members.
Domestic violence can happen against anyone, and anybody can be an abuser.
Abri
Our Community Safety team are here to support our customers experiencing domestic abuse and have received specialist training to help keep people safe at home. We work with a range of partners, including the police and local authorities, to find the best solution for those involved.
To speak to our team please contact us on 0300 123 1 567. If you’re in immediate danger, please call the police on 999.
More information about reporting domestic abuse to us can be found here.
Support Agencies
Nationwide organisations
Alternatively find support in corresponding drop down or here.
