What is domestic violence?
The Government, in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, defines domestic violence as ‘any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are, or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexual orientation’. Family members includes mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, and grandparents, whether directly related, in-laws or stepfamily.
National charity Women's Aid define domestic violence as physical, sexual, psychological or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. This can include forced marriage and so called honour-crimes. Domestic violence may include a range of abusive behaviours, not all of which are in themselves inherently violent.
Anyone can experience domestic violence - it can happen in all kinds of relationships, regardless of age, race, sex, sexuality, disability, wealth, gender identity and lifestyle. It is rarely a one-off event. Physical and sexual abuse tends to get more severe and happen more often over time. Domestic violence can affect men in heterosexual or same-sex relationships.
What can I do if I suffer domestic violence?
Domestic violence is a crime. Never hesitate to call the police who have specialist domestic violence officers trained to help you and put you in touch with other agencies who can help you with safety planning, housing issues, drug or alcohol problems or give details of solicitors who can assist you with the legal side of things.
Cambridgeshire Police can be contacted on 101 (non-emergencies). In case of emergency, please dial 999.
If you are female and feel reluctant to speak to the police, we recommend you call Women's Aid who is an independent charity run by women to help other women. You can speak to them in the strictest confidence about your problems and they can offer you practical and emotional support or help you find emergency refuge accommodation if you are escaping abuse.
Cambridge Women's Aid can be contacted on telephone 01223 460 947 (office hours) or you can call the 24 hour helpline 0808 2000 247.
If you are male and experienced domestic violence, call the helpline number on 0808 801 0327.
The Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (IDVA Service):
The Domestic Violence Advocacy Service offers crisis support and information to survivors of domestic abuse.
The advocacy workers (known as IDVAs) are employed by Cambridgeshire County Council, but they are independent and work with a wide variety of statutory and voluntary agencies across the county.
The service supports high and very high risk victims referred by the police. When a police officer attends an incident they will tell the victim about the service and ask them if they would like to be referred. Other professionals, such as social workers, midwives, probation officers etc. can also refer a client to the IDVA Service, provided they have completed a full risk assessment with the client in question and the score is 14 or more.
Once a victim has been referred to the IDVAs, they contact the client and talk them through his or her options. They also provide information to help them make decisions, advocate with agencies on the client's behalf, assist with personal safety planning, support clients through the civil and criminal justice system and give emotional support.
All contact with clients is mutually agreed upon and takes place at safe times and in safe locations.
For more information on any of the above, please contact the Multi-Agency Referral Unit (details to the right of this section).
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy 2012 - 2015 consultation
The Cambridgeshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership is seeking comments on its DRAFT 2012-15 Strategy from community members and relevant professionals to enable the Partnership to better meet the needs of those it serves. If you would like to provide feedback on this document (avaliable for download below), please contact tricia.ager@cambridgeshire.gov.uk prior to 12.00 pm on the 24th April 2012.