Domestic Abuse

Find out more information about domestic abuse and unhealthy relationships here: What is Domestic Abuse? - City of Doncaster Council

There is still a myth that domestic abuse doesn't happen to men. It does! It can happen to anyone.

There are myths about men who suffer domestic abuse, with some people thinking that it doesn't happen to men, men who are victims are not 'real men' and that the law only protects women.  These myths are of course completely untrue, but it is possibly why male domestic abuse victims do not report the abuse.

Male victims of domestic abuse - City of Doncaster Council

There are many myths and stereotypes which minimise the experience for LGBT+ victims of abuse and make it difficult for victims to seek help.

Common myths and stereotypes are: 

• Abuse doesn’t happen in same sex relationships
• Abuse in same sex relationships is not as serious as heterosexual abuse
• Abuse is more likely to be mutual
• Abuse is about size and strength - an abusive lesbian will be the more masculine one and a gay male victim will be the smaller one.
• Sexual abuse does not happen in same sex relationship – a woman cannot sexually assault another woman and a man cannot be raped,

 These myths and stereotypes make it harder for professionals to feel confident to identify a perpetrator and make it difficult for LGBT+ stories of abuse to be told and heard.

Find out more here: Specialist support for LGBT+ victims of domestic abuse - City of Doncaster Council

You might feel that you have to leave your home to be free from the abuse but there could be other options.  By reporting the abuse to the police it might be possible to remove the person causing the home with a Domestic Violence Protection Notice.  A DVPN is an emergency non-molestation and eviction notice which can be issued by the police, when attending to a domestic abuse incident, to a perpetrator. Because the DVPN is a police-issued notice, it is effective from the time of issue, thereby giving the victim the immediate support they require in such a situation. Within 48 hours of the DVPN being served on the perpetrator, an application by police to a magistrates’ court for a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) must be heard. A DVPO can prevent the perpetrator from returning to a residence and from having contact with the victim for up to 28 days. This allows the victim a degree of breathing space to consider their options with the help of a support agency. Both the DVPN and DVPO contain a condition prohibiting the perpetrator from molesting the victim.
For more guidance visit the Government website.

There are also civil injunctions that can be put in place - see below.

If you are at risk of homelessness or need help with housing due to domestic abuse, St. Leger Home Options offer advice and support. They have two dedicated officers that work alongside the Council's Domestic Abuse Service by providing support to victims of domestic abuse that are accommodated in emergency/interim accommodation. 

Each homeless application and personal housing plan is different and tailored to your needs. We can offer the below:

• Housing Advice
• Support to remain in your current accommodation
• Target hardening
• Referrals to specialist support agencies
• Financial support 
• Benefits support and advice
• Housing waiting list support & possible increased banding
• Private rented accommodation support 
• Accompanied viewings/ meetings
• Supported housing referrals
• Refuge referrals

To find out more about your housing options use the St. Leger 24/7 homelessness advice service tailored to your circumstances here: Advice Aid

If staying in your current home is not an option, St. Leger can help you secure a different home. You can find out more about the way a homeless service operates here: National Homelessness Advice Service

While you can join the housing register to place bids on available social housing in Doncaster, it is important you know that due to the high demand and low numbers of available properties, this can generally be a lengthy process which may not result in you securing a local authority property.

Therefore, if you approach St. Leger for assistance, you would be expected to engage with the private sector and registered providers (housing associations) to secure suitable accommodation. 

St. Leger also work with a range of supported housing providers to assist you in securing housing.

Access to contact the Home Options Team 

• By Phone - 01302 736000 (Monday - Friday 8:30 - 16:30) or 01302 323444 (Out of Hours)
• In Person at Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU (Monday - Friday 08:30 - 15:30)
• Vie Email - Housingoptionsteam@doncaster.gov.uk
• Via our website - St.Leger Homes | St.Leger Homes | Homelessness Service

There is also further information regarding homelessness on the Shelter Website - Home - Shelter England

Deciding to report domestic and sexual abuse can be incredibly difficult. You might worry about being believed, what will happen next, you might be fearful of repercussions or no action being taken by authorities. Whatever you decide to do, help is available. You are not to blame and you do not deserve to be abused.

Domestic and sexual abuse services will not force you to report the abuse to the Police but they might encourage you to do so to help keep you self.  They can support you whether you decide to report the abuse to the Police or not.

In some circumstances if there is a risk of serious harm to you or a child, services must report the abuse to safeguarding agencies and/or the Police and would support you through the process.

This page aims to provide you with the information you need to help make the decision about reporting abuse, and to help guide you through the process.  Your guide through the criminal justice system for domestic and sexual abuse - City of Doncaster Council

Rape and sexual abuse can happen in abusive relationships and from strangers, 'friends' or acquaintances.  It can happen to anyone regardless of gender or sexual orientation.  Sexual abuse - City of Doncaster Council

Take the test to see whether you are in an unhealthy relationship and watch a film about what 'Red Flags' to look out for in a film produced by Doncaster Youth Council: Domestic abuse and young people - City of Doncaster Council

The concept of ‘honour’ is for some communities deemed to be extremely important. To compromise a family’s ‘honour’ is to bring dishonour and shame and this can have severe consequences. The punishment for bringing dishonour can be emotional abuse, physical abuse, family disownment and in some cases even murder.

In most honour-based abuse cases there are multiple perpetrators from the immediate family, sometimes the extended family and occasionally the community at large. Mothers, sisters, aunties and even grandmothers have been known to be involved in the conspiring of honour crimes.   

Violence can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and/or community by breaking their honour code.

 

Find out more about Honour Based Abuse here: What is Honour-Based Abuse? - City of Doncaster Council

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 - City of Doncaster Council

FGM is when a females genitals are deliberately altered or removed for non-medical reasons. It's also known as 'female circumcision' or 'cutting', but has many other names.

FGM is a form of child abuse. It's dangerous and a criminal offence in the UK.  What is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)? - City of Doncaster Council

Research tells us that people with learning disabilities are considerably more likely to experience abuse, yet often our literature is often not suitable to meet their needs. It is hoped that this guide can be used by professionals to help explain what domestic abuse, how to get help and how to keep safe.

The guide has been produced by City of Doncaster Council Learning Disabilities Team, RDaSH and Healthwatch, with extensive consultation with partner agencies who are specialists in working with people with learning disabilities.

 

Doncaster Domestic Abuse Easy Read Document