Domestic Abuse - how we can help you



What is domestic abuse?

YHN believes that domestic abuse is "Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality." 

Domestic abuse includes but is not limited to:

  • Physical violence, for example: slapping, pushing, kicking, stabbing, damage to property or items of sentimental value, attempted murder or murder.
  • Sexual violence, for example: any non-consensual sexual activity, including rape, sexual assault, coercive sexual activity, or refusing safe sex.
  • Restricting freedom, for example: controlling who the victim sees, or where they go, what they wear and what they do, stalking, imprisonment, forced marriage.
  • Emotional/psychological abuse, for example: intimidation, social isolation, verbal abuse, humiliation, constant criticism, enforced trivial routines.
  • Economic abuse, for example: stealing, depriving or taking control of money, running up debts, withholding benefits books or bank cards.

YHN also believes that issues such as forced marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Honour Based Violence (HBV) are included in this definition. 

Wherever domestic abuse takes place, it is rarely a one off incident.  YHN believes that it should be seen as a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviour through which the abuser seeks power over their victim. 

How can we help you?

YHN understands that people experience abuse, regardless of their social group, class, age, race, disability, sexual orientation and lifestyle. 

Abuse can occur any time within a relationship, at the beginning of a new relationship or after many years spent together.

If you are suffering domestic abuse, we will work with Northumbria Police, Newcastle City Council and Social Services to support you and take action against the person who is abusing you.

Some of the examples of support we can offer include;

  • Referral to Victim and Witness Support services.
  • Personal alarms.
  • Mobile phones.
  • Emergency accommodation.
  • Target hardening (additional security e.g. window/door locks).
  • Immediate temporary relocation.
  • Permanent re-housing.
  • Referral to our Housing and Anti Social Behaviour and Enforcement Team    who can help support tenants to remain safe in there homes and pursue various legal measures to tackle perpetrators of domestic abuse. 
  • Referral to our Advice and Support Service who can assist with any financial issues there may be and provide support should they require re-housing.
  • Referral to relevant agencies for long term emotional outreach support.
  • Safety planning by the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit
  • Support in pursuing the prosecution of the perpetrator if a criminal offence has occurred, such as support at court, emotional support and special measure for court and requests for restraining orders.

We are also represented on the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) which enables us to support complex action plans for high risk domestic abuse cases.

Support agencies in Newcastle

  • Newcastle City Council Adult Services - 0191 278 8377 scd@newcastle.gov.uk
  • Broken Rainbow (support for LGBT victims of domestic violence) - 08452 60 44 60  www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
  • Children's Social Care - 0191 277 2500
  • MESMAC North East (gay/bisexual men's health advice) - 0191 233 1333 www.mesmacnortheast.com
  • Newcastle Lesbian Line - 0191 276 7957
  • Newcastle Women's Aid - 0191 265 1248 (24 hours)
  • Panah (refuge for black and minority ethnic women) - 0191 284 6998
  • REACH (rape counselling service for men and women) - 0845 130 6225 www.reach.org.uk
  • Emergency Housing Duty Team - 0191 232 8520
  • Forced Marriage Unit - 020 7008 0151 fmu@fco.gov.uk
  • The Samaritans of Tyneside - 0191 232 7272 (24 hours)
  • Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre - 0191 232 9858  www.tynesidercc.org.uk

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