Domestic abuse
Anyone can be affected by domestic abuse (abuse by a current or ex -partner or relative) regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation or background. Abuse may include:
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Violent or threatening behaviour
- Controlling or coercive behaviour
- Economic abuse (abuse that has a substantial adverse impact on the abused person’s ability to acquire, use or maintain money or other property, or obtain goods or services)
- Psychological, emotional or other abuse
- So-called ‘honour-based’ abuse (including so-called ‘honour-based’ violence);
- Forced marriage
- Female genital mutilation (FGM)
If you, a relative, or a friend requires advice or assistance, contact your Neighbourhood / Supported Housing team on 0300 303 2500 or email info@swan.org.uk. In an emergency call the Police on 999 or 101 in a non-emergency.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police (If you are unable to talk, listen to the operator and respond by coughing or tapping the keys on your phone. If calling from a mobile you can press 55 to make yourself heard).
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired, register your mobile phone with the emergency SMS service. You will then be able to send an SMS text message to 999 to get help.
If you are hurting your partner, ex or family member, help is available from the Respect Phoneline on 0808 802 4040
You can find more information in our Domestic Violence and Abuse booklet.
The free Bright Sky app is for anyone experiencing domestic abuse or worried about someone else but please only download it if it is safe to do so and you are sure that your phone isn’t being monitored.
Some contact details for local and national organisations that can help people experiencing domestic abuse are:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline (for women) 0808 2000 247 (Freephone, 24 hour)
- Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
- Mankind Initiative Helpline: 01823 334244
- LGBT+ Advice Line - GALOP: 0800 999 5428
- Action on Elder Abuse: 0808 808 8141
- Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre: 0808 802 9999
- Essex Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0330 333 7444
- Solace Women's Aid (for women in London): 0808 802 5565
Our Make A Stand Pledge
To show our ongoing commitment to supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, we signed the ‘Make a Stand’ pledge that was launched in June 2018 by the Chartered Institute of Housing, in partnership with Women’s Aid and the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA). By signing the pledge, we have undertaken to continue to meet four commitments.
- We have a policy in place and embedded to support customers who are affected by domestic abuse
- We have made information about national and local domestic abuse support services readily available for customers and staff, including on our website.
- We have appointed a champion at senior level to own the activity we are undertaking to support people experiencing domestic abuse.
- We have in place a policy to support members of staff who may be experiencing domestic abuse.