Domestic Abuse 

We define domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer. It is very common. In the vast majority of cases it is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men.

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)

• Psychological and/or emotional abuse

• Physical or sexual abuse

• Financial or economic abuse

• Harassment and stalking

• Online or digital abuse

 (Women’s Aid, 2020)

Here are some links you may find useful:

Metropolitan Police: https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/what-is-domestic-abuse/

Women’s Aid: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/

Mens Advice Line:  https://mensadviceline.org.uk/

Galop: http://www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/

Refuge: https://www.refuge.org.uk/get-help-now/recognising-abuse/

GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

 

Honour based violence (HBV)

There is no specific offence of "honour based crime". It is an umbrella term to encompass various offences covered by existing legislation. Honour based violence (HBV) can be described as a collection of practices, which are used to control behaviour within families or other social groups to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or honour. Such violence can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and/or community by breaking their honour code.

It is a violation of human rights and may be a form of domestic and/or sexual violence. There is no, and cannot be, honour or justification for abusing the human rights of others (CPS, 2020).

Forced Marriage (FM)

You have the right to choose who you marry, when you marry or if you marry at all.

Forced marriage is when you face physical pressure to marry (for example, threats, physical violence or sexual violence) or emotional and psychological pressure (eg if you’re made to feel like you’re bringing shame on your family).

Forced marriage is illegal in England and Wales. This includes:

• taking someone overseas to force them to marry (whether or not the forced marriage takes place)

• marrying someone who lacks the mental capacity to consent to the marriage (whether they’re pressured to or not) (GOV.UK, 2020).

Here are some links you may find useful:

Karma Nirvana: https://karmanirvana.org.uk/

GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/stop-forced-marriage

CPS: https://www.cps.gov.uk/publication/honour-based-violence-and-forced-marriage

Rights of Women: https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-information/family-law/forced-marriage-law/

 

Female genital mutilation (FGM)                    

Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. It is nearly always carried out on minors and is a violation of the rights of children. The practice also violates a person's rights to health, security and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to life when the procedure results in death (WHO, 2020).

There are no health benefits!

Here are some links you may find useful:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation

 

If you are worried you might be in an abusive relationship, you can access this link:

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/am-i-in-an-abusive-relationship/

If you are worried that someone else might be in an abusive relationship, you can access this link:

https://www.pankhursttrust.org/advice-and-support/im-worried-about-someone

If you are worried about someone accessing your internet search history or browser history please read the following, for tips on to stay safe:

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/cover-your-tracks-online/

 

 

Where can I find help?

All staffs at the surgery have basic training regarding domestic violence; how to identify this and support an individual who may be a victim of domestic abuse.

You can always contact the surgery for help and support: 0161 227 9785 / 0161 872 8129 or access our online triage service by clicking here

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 or https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

• End the Fear: 0161 636 7525 or http://www.endthefear.co.uk/

• Man Kind: 01823 334 244 or https://www.mankind.org.uk/

• Men’s Advice Line: 0808010327 or https://mensadviceline.org.uk/

• Galop (LGBT+ support): 0800 999 5428 or http://www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/

• Victim support: 0808 168 9111 or https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

• National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300 or https://www.suzylamplugh.org/

• Police: 101 or 999

Further information around domestic abuse can be found at:

• GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

• https://www.cambs.police.uk/information-and-services/Domestic-abuse/Clares-law

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-abuse-bill-2020-factsheets

• https://www.gov.uk/topic/law-justice-system/domestic-violence

• NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/

 

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