What is Honour Based Violence? The CPS and ACPO have a common definition of honour based violence: 'Honour based violence is a crime or incident, which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and / or community'. The terms “honour crime” or “honour-based violence” or “izzat” embrace [...]
Cyber stalking can be defined as threatening behaviour or unwanted advances or harassment using the Internet, email, social networking sites or text messaging. It shares some characteristics with stalking in that it is deliberate, persistent and personal and involves the pursuit, harassment, or contact of others in an unwanted manner. Cyber stalking and Domestic Abuse [...]
Domestic violence can and does happen in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender relationships. Lesbian and gay experiences of domestic violence are not always recognised and/or acknowledged by individuals and/or agencies. As a consequence lesbians and gay men do not always get the help and support which they need to deal with these experiences. Lesbians and [...]
Domestic abuse is a repeated pattern of behaviour. It can include several different types of abusive behaviour, and may get worse the longer the two people are together. People use domestic abuse to control other people. If you are a young person in an abusive relationship yourself, remember that you are not to blame. Young [...]
Help for people who abuse their partners It can be tough facing up to difficult problems. 'Sometimes when we argue and I shout at my partner and they are scared of me' 'I slapped them once and I promised myself it would never happen again - but I hit them again...' 'I get angry with [...]
See our full statement here: Domestic abuse press statement 16.12.15 Summary ‘Increasingly everyone’s business: a progress report on the police response to domestic abuse,’ a report published yesterday by HMIC, found that police response to domestic abuse is improving, but that the police are at risk of being overwhelmed by calls relating to domestic abuse. [...]
It can be a very stressful and isolating experience for a person when a case of domestic violence is progressing through the court. The Specialist Domestic Violence Court (SDVC) process offers a specialist service to ensure victims of domestic abuse receive a fair service and that perpetrators of domestic abuse are brought to justice and [...]
First Light has qualified and specialist advisers who provide a free and confidential service to victims / survivors who are at a high risk of harm from their intimate partners, ex-partners or family members - with the priority of increasing safety for these people and their children. These are called Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs). [...]
Whatever coping strategies you have used - with more or less success - there may come a time when you feel the only option is to leave your partner. If you do decide to leave your partner, it is best if you can plan this carefully. Sometimes abusers will increase their violence if they suspect [...]
Making a safety plan A personal safety plan is a way of helping you to protect yourself and your children. It helps you plan in advance for the possibility of future violence and abuse. It also helps you to think about how you can increase your safety either within the relationship, or if you decide [...]
