Find out more information if you are suffering from domestic abuse
Report domestic abuse
If you are suffering from domestic abuse it is important you tell someone:
- If your life is in danger or a crime is being committed call the police on 999
- If it is not an emergency you can report on 101 or online
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse can include any of the below:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Harassment or threats
- Financial control
- Shouting at you in front of the children
- Stalking you
- Inappropriate sexual behaviour
Advice and support
If you, or someone you know, is suffering domestic abuse please read this booklet which aims to give advice and support Domestic abuse support and advice guide (PDF, 266KB)
The following local services are able to offer advice and support :
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Victim Support 0808 16 89 276 or email kent.da@victimsupport.cjsm.net
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Homestart - 07772 720953 or email shepwayoffice@googlemail.com. Opening times 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
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Rising Sun - 01227 452852 or email referrals@risingsunkent.com From 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
- Referrals for refuge are made via National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247 (24hr support)
- Clarion's Domestic Abuse Support Line - 07376 637 069 or email centrakent@centragroup.org.uk. From 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Community Domestic Abuse Programme
For perpetrators of domestic abuse who are looking to tackle their behaviour the Community Domestic Abuse Programme runs in the district.
Community Domestic Abuse Programme (PDF, 287KB)
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs)
We continue to support this service by providing a significant amount of funding to enable an IDVA to cover the district.
Their main purpose is to address the safety of victims at high risk of harm from intimate partners, ex-partners or family members to secure their safety and the safety of their children.
Serving as a victim's primary point of contact, IDVAs normally work with their clients from the point of crisis to assess the level of risk, discuss the range of suitable options and develop safety plans.
The One Stop Shop
The ultimate purpose of the One Stop Shop is to be accessible support for anyone affected by domestic violence with professionals from different organisations on hand to offer advice and guidance to those in attendance.
On arrival service users will be greeted and triaged to take brief details of what help/advice is required to be able to take them to the relevant representative. In cases where the service user may require advice from more than one organisation we will try to sit together to offer the relevant advice as a group preventing information having to be repeated from table to table.
It may not be possible to offer immediate solutions but the face to face contact is imperative when it comes to such a sensitive subject. Further contact is discussed/agreed and, if necessary direct contact details are handed out.