Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is about power and control. The UK government defines domestic abuse as "any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality".
- Most reported incidents relate to women as victims or survivors, but this is not always the case.
- Domestic abuse includes the following types of abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional.
- Stalking, harassment and online or digital abuse are also forms of domestic abuse.
- Coercive and controlling behaviour was recognised as a criminal offence by the Serious Crime Act of 2015.
- 'Coercive control' is a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, exploit or frighten survivors, isolating them from support and controlling their everyday behaviour.
- When we refer to domestic abuse, this includes so called 'honour-based' abuse, female genital mutilation and forced marriage.
Working holistically with families in Nottinghamshire to respond to domestic abuse
- Domestic abuse affects every part of a child's development.
- Children are recognised as survivors in their own right by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
- Evidence-based approaches help assess, risk and support the safety of children and families.
- Working alongside survivors in a strengths-based and trauma-informed way, the focus is on what matters to them, exploring ways to achieve the family's best outcomes.
- Working with perpetrators of domestic abuse can help assess risk and consider how they can be safely involved with families.
- Collaboration with partner agencies such as police, probation, Women's Aid and the voluntary sector strengthens support for families.
How do services work together?
If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of harm from domestic abuse, police should be called straight away.
- If police are called to a home where there appears to be an incident of abuse, they will complete a domestic abuse, stalking and honour-based violence risk assessment (DASH RIC).
- A referral will be made to specialist support services and an independent domestic violence advisor (IDVA) may be allocated to provide independent support.
- If children are living in the house or a woman is pregnant, children's social care will be contacted.
- Health services may be part of the support network when someone has experienced physical harm.
- Living with domestic abuse can be deeply traumatic and families may choose to seek help from mental health service, specialist counselling or therapy to support their wellbeing and recovery.
- Schools and education providers can play a key role in helping children understand and express their emotions after witnessing abuse at home.
- Children may have strong, confusing, painful feelings about a parent who has caused harm, and may live with ongoing fear or anxiety.
- Trusted adults can offer a safe, supportive space, helping children feel heard, understood and valued as they begin to make sense of their experiences.
When there is a serious concern for the adult's safety, professionals may come together through a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC).
This meeting brings together people from different services such as police, children's social care, health services, domestic abuse support services, probation, drug and alcohol teams, education settings and housing.
By sharing information and working as a team, they create a co-ordinated plan to help keep the whole family safe.
What is available to support parents and carers?
A full list of local domestic abuse support services for women, men and the LGBTQ+ community can be found on the Nottshelpyourself website.
Remember, if you feel someone is at immediate risk call 999.
There is an 'easy read' guide about how to get help available from the GOV.UK website.
Where can those who work for Nottinghamshire County Council get further information and support?
The Domestic Abuse Toolkit is a 'one stop' intranet site for workers to access all relevant tools, and best practice. The toolkit includes safety planning, understanding the impact of domestic abuse on children, direct work tools, undertaking assessments and working with child and adolescent to parent violence (CAPVA).
