Domestic violence is physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse - a pattern of controlling and abusive behaviour within an intimate or family type relationship.
If you are being abused, threatened or physically assaulted by a partner, former partner or a family member, that is domestic violence. As well as actual physical violence, domestic violence can involve a wide range of abusive and controlling behaviour including -
- threats
- harrassment
- physical attacks
- financial control
- emotional abuse
Anyone can experience domestic violence, it happens in all kinds of relationships and for any reason, regardless of -
- age
- race
- religion
- sex
- disability
- lifestyle
It's rarely a one off event.
If you are a victim of domestic violence
If you are being abused there are three simple steps you can take -
- recognise that it is happening to you - domestic violence is a pattern of behaviour. Some abusers are sorry for their actions and persuade their partners that the abuse won't happen again, but the violence usually gets worse
- accept that you are not to blame - it is not easy to accept that a loved one can behave so aggressively and because you can't explain your partner's behaviour, you may assume that you are to blame. You are not, it is your abusers behaviour that needs to change, there is no excuse.
- get help and support - the most important thing you can do is to tell someone that you can trust. Never be afraid to ask for help and remember in an emergency call 999
For help and support access the Hull Domestic Abuse Partnership website
If you are a man or woman suffering domestic violence, you can also get help and support from us - you do not have to suffer alone.
Find out more about support for female victims of domestic violence
Find out more about support for male victims of domestic violence
If you are violent to your partner
If you have have been violent or abusive to your partner, you can get help to stop your domestic violence.
Find out more about support to stop your domestic violence
Useful numbers
Organisation |
Telephone number |
Website |
| GALOP | 0800 999 5428 | |
| Childline | 0800 111 111 | |
| Female victim support - domestic abuse partnership | 01482 318 759 | |
| Home office forced marriage unit |
Office hours - 0207 0080 151 Out of hours - 0207 0081 500 |
|
| Hull domestic abuse partnership | 01482 318 759 | www.hulldap.co.uk |
| Hull rape crisis | 01482 329 990 | |
| Male advocacy support service | 01482 444 044 | |
| Male victim support - Hull City Council | 01482 613 978 | |
| NSPCC | 01482 837 822 | |
| Preston Road Women's centre | 01482 790 310 | |
| Refuge - 24 hour help line | 0808 2000 247 | |
| Respect - support for men to stop domestic violence | 0845 1228 609 | |
| Revenge porn helpline | 0845 6000 459 | www.revengepornhelpline.org.uk |
| SARC (sexual assault referral centre) | 01482 305 037 | |
| Strength to Change - support for men to stop domestic violence | 01482 613 403 | www.hullstrengthtochange.org/html/index.html |
| Victim Support |
01482 30 50 80 (local) 0845 30 30 900 (national) |
www.victimsupport.org.uk |
| Women's Aid |
01482 446 099 (local) 01482 474 133 (local children's services) 0808 200 0247 (national) |