Domestic Abuse

KEEPING YOU SAFE

  • Your key contact at CAHA is going to be your Neighbourhood Officer or Youth Coach. They will have establish a ‘safe word’ with you should you ever need them to call the Police on your behalf.

  • You are not alone, you can speak to us on the phone, or come into one of our locations to see us face to face.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is a single incident or pattern of controlling, manipulative or violent behaviour used to gain power and control over someone.
It can happen between partners, ex-partners or family members. Abuse is not always physical. It can include:
Emotional Abuse
A pattern of behaviours intended to control, manipulate, or undermine a person’s self-worth and emotional well-being.
Psychological Abuse
A person intentionally manipulates, controls, or harms another’s mental and emotional well-being.
Sexual Abuse
Any sexual activity that occurs without consent, often involving force, coercion, or exploitation, and can have profound physical, psychological, and social consequences.
Financial Abuse
Occurs when someone controls or misuses another person’s money or assets without consent, often leaving the victim isolated, pressured, or financially dependent.
Anyone can experience abuse, regardless of gender, age, race, religion or sexual orientation. 
Domestic abuse is never the fault of the victim or survivor, and support is available as per below for those who need help.
Helplines:
  • For Women & Children call the National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247
  • Solace women’s Aid – Provides free advice, advocacy, refuge accommodation etc for women and girls
  • Men’s Advice Line – There to support men affected by domestic abuse
  • Mankind Initiative – Talk in confidence
  • Galop (LGBT+)- Help for LGBTQ+ people experiencing abuse or violence, such as hate crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence, so-called “conversion therapy” or any other kind of abuse.
Should you or your family require any further support, CAHA can make a referral to victim support, please see the attached link for further information surrounding the service: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk.
paper figures in cicrcle with ladies hands around themWith Domestic Abuse, financial difficulties may also arise. In response to these situations, we have established a Hardship Fund. The primary purpose of this fund is to provide short-term financial assistance to eligible tenants who are facing genuine financial hardship and experiencing difficulty in maintaining their tenancy. For more information please contact us here.

This charity also exists to help people experiencing difficulty- Furnishing Futures | Charity creating healing homes for domestic abuse survivors- 
For more details please refer to our Domestic Abuse Policy.
 

The 5 Rs & Clares Law

The 5 R’s

  1. Recognise: Be aware of the signs, symptoms, and indicators of abuse, neglect, bullying, or harm, including physical, emotional, and sexual indicators.
  2. Respond: Act immediately when a concern is raised or disclosed, ensuring the immediate safety of the individual, not ignoring the situation, and acting with sensitivity.
  3. Report: Promptly report concerns to a designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or appropriate authority within your organization, according to established policies.
  4. Record: Make detailed, accurate, and confidential notes of what was seen or heard, focusing on facts rather than interpretations.
  5. Refer: Pass the safeguarding concern to the appropriate external authorities (e.g., social services, police) if the risk of harm is immediate or if the DSL advises it. 
Clares Law Link — The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), also know as Clare’s Law means the Police will tell you about a partner or ex-partners previous abuse or violent offending. You have the ‘Right to Ask’ and the ‘Right to Know’ if your safety could be at risk.

Case Study

Domestic Violence Awareness RibbonI got married at the age of 18 and believed our lives would be perfect.
When my ex-partner got their way, it was wonderful. When they didn’t, I would get the blame whether it was my fault or not. If I got upset or challenged them, they would say I was weak and didn’t know what I was doing.
Food that I thought I had bought started disappearing and they would call me stupid.
I would arrive at a pre-booked appointment at the hairdressers and find it was cancelled. 
I missed school evenings because the dates I was told were incorrect. 
I thought I was losing my memory or my sanity.
They used to try to exclude me when we attended gatherings, whispering to tell me to leave because I wasn’t welcome and no-one wanted me here. 
If I got upset they would make it look like I had mental health issues and I was being oversensitive.
Eventually I stopped seeing my friends and family, as I believed I just needed my ex. 
I became too afraid to do anything or make any decisions because I knew they’d be wrong and I would be threatened.
As a result of the constant insults from my ex-partner, I lost 3 stone and was diagnosed to a counsellor. This referral saved my life.
With the support of my counsellor and family law solicitor, I have got a Non-Molestation Order and Occupation Order against my ex-partner and I have started divorce proceedings.