What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is defined as ‘any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between people who are or who have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender’. The abuse could be psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional. It might include any of the following:

• Physical attacks
• Being locked in your home
• Being denied access to money
• Being prevented from seeing family and friends
• Threats of physical and/or sexual abuse
• Threats to children
• Rape

Most frequently it is women who are abused by men. But it can equally apply to men abused by women. Abuse can occur in heterosexual and same sex relationships.

What will we do for anyone experiencing domestic violence?

We are committed to treating domestic violence seriously. We will treat all enquiries confidentially and sensitively. For Mossbank Homes tenants we will:

• Offer a private interview conducted by a person of the same gender
• Not expect a person or family to remain in or return to accommodation in a property which is considered a risk to a person or their child’s safety
• Ensure that priority for re-housing is given to people who have suffered domestic violence
• Advise what legal remedies can be taken to help people who have suffered domestic violence

What about the perpetrators of domestic violence?

If any Mossbank Homes tenant is convicted of causing abuse then we will investigate and use the appropriate powers available to take action against the tenant for breach of their tenancy conditions and/or antisocial behaviour.

What to do in an emergency situation

In an emergency dial 999

For emergency accommodation contact:

Homeless Families: 0161 234 4847 (224 6452 / 4743 Out of office hours)

Stockport Homes: 0161 474 4237 (0161 477 2626 – 24 hours)

Mens’s Aid: 0871 223 9986

Are there any other options?

There are a number of refuges within Stockport and UK wide. A refuge is a house where women who have experienced violence, can live with or without their children. Support and advice is given on benefits, your legal rights and re-housing. They are also able to provide counselling and practical support and an aftercare service once a person has moved on.

What if a person doesn’t want to go into a refuge?

No-one has to go into a refuge if they don’t want to. Refuges have Outreach Workers who are able to offer support and practical help for people to stay in their own home if that is what they prefer.Contact Domestic Violence helpline on 0161 636 7525 for further information

Useful Numbers

Family Law Association (Provides help with finding a solicitor) 01689 850227

National Domestic Violence Helpline (24 hour freephone – Information available in a range of languages) 0808 2000 247

Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline 0161 636 7525

Asian Women’s Outreach Project (Supports and assists women who want to leave home by referrals to refuges and safe houses. They also provide an outreach service for people who wish to remain in their own home and receive support.) 0161 226 6812

Relate (Confidential counselling) 0161 442 2443

Rape Crisis 0161 273 4500

Samaritans 0845 790 9090

Broken Rainbow (National domestic violence helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.) 0845 260 5560

Websites:

Independent Choices: http://www.wdvh.org.uk

Women's Aid: http://www.womensaid.org.uk/

End the fear, Manchester Against Domestic Abuse: http://www.endthefear.co.uk/

You can download a copy of this information by clicking on the link below.

How we help residents who experience domestic violence (396 KB)