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Domestic Violence
Everyone has the right to live without fear, in a home that is free from violence or the threat of violence. You have this right regardless of what anyone may have told you or made you feel.
We will help you if you have experienced domestic violence, or if staying in your home is likely to lead to threats of violence against you or someone who lives with you.
We can also put you in contact with other people or agencies that will support you.
In this section:
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional or financial abuse, as well as the threat of abuse, within a close relationship. In most cases the relationship will be between partners or ex-partners (married, living together or otherwise), but it can also be with a family member or anyone who would reasonably be expected to live with the person experiencing the violence.
Domestic violence can affect women or men, and those in same-sex relationships, regardless of age, lifestyle, race or ethnic origin, ability or disability, religion or belief. It is rarely a one-off event. It often gets worse over time.
Children’s health and well-being can be seriously affected by living in households where there is any form of domestic abuse.
We work with the police, Women’s Aid, Victim Support and other agencies, to give support and practical help to people experiencing, or threatened with, violence. We also have policies for dealing with perpetrators/ abusers.
You do not have to be a Council tenant to receive help. Your safety is our first consideration.
Where can I get help if I am experiencing Domestic Violence?
In an emergency, or if you are in immediate danger, phone 999 and ask for the Police.
Otherwise, you can contact South Tyneside Homes through your local Housing Office. Our staff will listen to you and know where to go for help and support.
You can also get help from any one of the following places:
- South Tyneside’s Women’s Aid Refuge (Places for People) can arrange temporary accommodation and support, and also offers an outreach service. You can contact them on 0191 454 8257 (24 hour service).
- The Council’s Homelessness service can help with emergency housing. They can be contacted on 0191 4246456 or 0191 424 6457.
- The Options service will offer you support and information, on 0191 456 7577.
- South Tyneside Victim Support offers help and support to victims of crime: 0191 454 6198.
- Panah is a refuge and service specifically for women from the Black and Minority Ethnic community. You can contact them on 0191 284 6998.
What will happen when I contact my local Housing Office?
Our staff will talk to you in a private place at the Housing Office or, by arrangement, at a place of your choice. We will need to ask you some questions so that we can find the best way to help and support you. Everything that you tell us will be treated in the strictest confidence.
You can ask to talk to a person of the same sex, if this is more comfortable for you.
There are a number of ways that we can help you. We can
- Contact the local refuge, or seek other emergency accommodation, on your behalf
- Arrange an appointment for you to meet someone from the Council’s Homelessness team
- Give you information about other places that can help, particularly if you need legal advice.
You do not necessarily have to leave your home. We will talk with you about your options and what you think is the best way to go forward.
Seeking legal advice
There are a number of places that you can go for legal advice.
The Police Community Support Unit (CSU) can give you advice on legal solutions. You can contact them on the police non-emergency number, 0191 454 7555.
You can apply to the courts for:
- An occupation order that means that the abuser cannot enter your home
- A non-molestation order that means the abuser cannot cause or threaten violence to you or a member of your household.
- An injunction against the abuser, to keep them away from you and your home.
Help for perpetrators of domestic violence
If you commit, or threaten, domestic violence against another person we may take action to evict you from your home – particularly if you are convicted of an offence or a court order has been made against you.
There is support available for you through the South Tyneside Domestic Abuse Perpetrators Programme (STDAPP). You can contact them on 454 5335 or by visiting www.stdapp.org.uk. You can also ask for advice at your local Housing Office.
You can also contact Respect, the National Association for Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programmes and Associated Support Services, on 0845 122 8609.
Local contacts
Organisation |
Telephone |
|---|---|
Options (Support and advice service for women over 18) |
0191 456 7577 |
South Tyneside Women’s Refuge (Offers help, support and safe emergency and temporary accommodation to women and children) |
0191 454 8257 |
South Tyneside Victim Support (Information, practical help and support) |
0191 454 6198 |
Tyneside Rape Crisis |
0191 232 9858 |
Homelessness Service |
0191 424 6456 or 0191 424 6457 |
Police Community Support Unit |
0191 454 7555 |
Panah (Black women’s refuge and outreach service) |
0191 284 6998 |
Citizen’s Advice Bureau - Jarrow South Shields South Shields (BME) |
0191 420 0882
|
Citizen’s Advice Bureau -South Shields South Shields (BME) |
0191 455 7958
|
Citizen’s Advice Bureau - South Shields (BME) |
0191 427 4109
|
Relate (Northumberland & Tyneside) |
0191 232 9109 |
South Tyneside Domestic Abuse Perpetrators Programme |
0191 454 5335 |
Mesmac North East |
0191 233 1333 |
Mesmac (Helpline for Gay and Bisexual men) |
0800 068 5155 |
Lesbian Line |
0191 261 2277 |
Reach (For anyone over 16 who has been raped or sexually assaulted) |
0800 068 5155 |
National contacts
Organisation |
Telephone |
|---|---|
Shelterline (National homelessness helpline) |
0808 800 4444 |
National Domestic Violence Helpline |
0808 2000 247 |
Male Advice & Enquiry Line
|
0845 064 6800 |
Broken Rainbow (For lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people) |
08452 60 44 60 |
Samaritans |
08457 90 90 90 |
National Child Protection Helpline |
0808 800 5000 |
Childline |
0800 1111 |
Elder Abuse Response Line |
0808 808 8141
|
Respect (Information and advice for men who are abusive) |
0845 12 28 609
|
Lesbian Line |
0800 068 5155
|
Forced Marriage Unit |
020 7008 0151
|
