Domestic Abuse

Since the lockdown have been enforced, there are many reports that Domestic Abuse is on the increase. If you are experiencing domestic abuse or not sure if you are but want more information, then this blog post is for you.

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic Abuse is the new term for Domestic Violence. The term changed as Domestic Violence can take many forms and it doesn’t always involve physical abuse or violence.

These are the many different forms of abuse:

Economic abuse- This can be any form of financial abuse (involving money) including loyalty point/rewards, gift vouchers, etc.

Emotional, Mental or Psychological abuse- This form of abuse can be referred to any of these terms; this is abuse is where a person behaviour and treatment can cause significant trauma to another’s emotional wellbeing and can cause psychological distress. Psychological distress can include: as anxiety, chronic-depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sexual abuse- This abuse comes in many different forms including posting/sharing and receiving intimate images of someone without their consent, coercing or forcing someone to view or participating in sexual activities they don’t want to do.

Online abuse- This is any abuse that involves the internet and therefore this form of abuse can be interlinked with other forms of abuse.  

Verbal abuse- Verbal abuse is any type of abuse that comes in the shape of any sound, so this can be words, grunts, sighs, the kiss of teeth, etc. It is any sound that is used to bring another person down.

Coercive control and ‘gaslighting- Is a psychological mind game and manipulation of an individual to create doubts, questioning of memory, judgement and perception.

Physical abuse- This is an abuse that can take shape in the physical form such as punching, kicking, biting, throwing objects, slapping, hair pulling, etc.

What causes Domestic Abuse?

There are many reasons why a person can abuse others, but whatever the reason, the person receiving the abuse is NOT at fault and they SHOULDN’T live in an abusive environment.

Some people grew up in an abusive home and are therefore desensitised from it and believes that these types of behaviour are normal. Sometimes a stressful situation or a change of circumstances can cause abuse such as the current lockdown and recession. Food, mood, temperature and substances (such as substance misuse) can change a person’s behaviour into an abusive behaviour. It can be personality traits where a person loves power and control and like to implement their version of power and control.

What are the signs Domestic Abuse?

If you suspect that you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic abuse and are unsure, these are some sign to look out for and to seek help.

Bruises: If a person is covered in bruises, trying to hide (wearing unsuitable clothing- i.e. long sleeves on an extremely hot day) or make excuses (implausible reasons) for bruises.

Withdrawn: If they become withdrawn and are not interacting with friends and family or at social gatherings like how they normally would.

Finances: This sign can take place in different forms. The first form is financial difficulties- so if the person is having financial troubles where they are always either bothering money or can’t afford to pay for things. The second form is financial affluent- The person suddenly has too much money or expensive goods in their possessions all of a sudden without any plausible explanation- This might be a sign of grooming which will lead to abuse.

Prisoner at Home: If the person is not allowed to leave the home or if they do, they have to be back at a certain time and if they are not, they seem worried and afraid.

Tracking: If the person whereabout and other activities are getting monitored using technological tools and social media.

Where to seek help?

999 Police

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, you can dial 999 and the police will take the call. If you are unable to speak (for whatever reason), you can cough or tap on the phone when the operator asks you some questions. If you are calling from a mobile you can dial 55 if prompt (55 is requesting help silently so that the abuser is not aware that you just called the police). Please remember that once 55 is dialled, the police are unable to trace the location of your call.

If you are on a landline, the 55 option is NOT available, but the call will stay connected for 45 seconds in case you can pick up again. The call handler will be able to locate your location on a landline to then pass the information to the responding officers.

Refuge

Have a 24 hours 7 days a week National Domestic Abuse Helpline you can contact on 0808 2000 247. All calls are absolutely free and confidential and you can book a safe time to speak to them on their website. Their website is packed with supportive information and guidance for victims and friends and family of victims.

 

Women’s Aid

Women’s Aid provides a range of services for survivors of Domestic Abuse as well as providing special information and for the Covid-19 virus outbreak. They also provide domestic abuse services locally and you can search for your local one here.

 

Men’s Advice Line

For men facing domestic abuse, you can receive confidential support from Men’s Advice Line, their number is 0808 801 0327

 

Galop – for members of the LGBTQ+ community

If anyone from the LGBTQ+ community want support with domestic abuse then Galop have a specialist service for you. You can either call them on 0800 999 5428 or email them at  help@galop.org.uk

 

‘Honour’-based abuse

Anyone who thinks they or someone they know are suffering some form of ‘Honour’ based abuse can contact Karma Nirvana on 0800 5999 247 or email them at: support@karmanirvana.org.uk

Karma Nirvana runs the national honour-based abuse. Honour Based abuse is when individual is abuse because their family or community believes that individual have compromised the family or the community honour/reputation.

 

SignHealth

SignHealth offers support for any deaf person communicating using the British Sign Language (BSL) who may be facing domestic abuse. They can be contacted on 020 3947 2601, or email at: da@signhealth.org.uk or WhatsApp/Facetime on: 07970 350366.

 

Children and Young People affected by domestic abused can contact any of these organisations, they will support and provide you with the information you, your friends and your family needs.

Childline– Their number is 0800 1111

Barnado’s

Family Lives– Their number is 0808 800 2222

 

 

Reference

Home Office (2020); Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse; UK Government; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-and-domestic-abuse/coronavirus-covid-19-support-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse

Photo by Sydney Sims on Unsplash

Financial Support

Flourishing Crown has conducted a bit of research for our customers and readers who may be facing financial difficulties. These are the places you can go to for financial support in the UK.

For Businesses, Self Employed and Furlough 

The Government will pay up to 80% of your salary (up to a maximum amount of £2,500) per month for up to 3 months. (this could be extended and it can be backdated to the 1st March 2020). This means that businesses don’t need to lay people off

There is a 12 months interest free loan and it is available from 23 March 2020

No VAT to be paid for the next VAT quarter for up to June 2020 q/e- deferred to at least December 2020

The next Self-Assessment payment can be deferred by 6 months to January 2021 (from July 2020)

Self-Assessment (self employed) can also claim the 80% salary pay up to £2,500. 

The minimum earning income is suspended for Universal Credit to help the Self-Employed 

For the General Public and for Family

For the next 12 months, Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit will increase by up to £1000

The Government has spoken to utility suppliers to put special measures in place to help customers during these difficult times, including not having any customers’ utilities cut due to non-payment. More information is provided by the individual suppliers about the special measures: 

 British Gas

Eon Energy

EDF Energy

NPower

Scottish Power

Scottish Power Hardship Fund

Southern Electric

For those who are struggling with food and to feed your family, there are many support out there that can help you including finding where to find your local food bank . If you want to know where your nearest food bank is, click here

Felix Project is a charity that is supported by the Independent newspaper and it support families facing hunger especially during COVID-19.

The Government has also spoken to mortgage providers to help customers with their mortgage if they are facing hardship during COVID-19. The scheme is a 3 months Mortgage holiday. You can find out more from the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority- this is the organisation that governs any company that operate money type business such as lending and storing money) or speak to your provider for more information. You can also click on the individual Mortgage providers for more information (apologises if your provider is not listed as we only list  the major banks): 

Nationwide

Co-Operative Bank

Barclays

Natwest

Aldermore

HSBC

Bank of Ireland

Santander

Halifax

Bank of Scotland

There are many charities and organisation that can help out if you are facing financial hardship. Citizen Advice Bureau  (more to pay utilities) and Turn2Us Grant search have directories of organisations and charities that may be able to help you during these difficult times. There are two charities that can help family in financial crisis such as Family Fund (but this is to help family with disable child/ren click on this link: For Family with disable child/ren) and Family- Action (click this link: Family Action Grants). Also Greggs the bakery have a foundation that helps family in financial crisis, click the link for more information: Greggs Foundation Grants

Reference:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19

 

https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay

 

https://www.bdo.co.uk/en-gb/insights/tax/corporate-tax/covid-19-government-support-for-individuals-and-businesses

 

https://workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/coronavirus-support/

 

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

 

https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/covid-19

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-agrees-measures-with-energy-industry-to-support-vulnerable-people-through-covid-19

 

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-and-your-energy-supply

 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/policy/policy-research-topics/welfare-policy-research-surveys-and-consultation-responses/welfare-policy-research/helping-people-through-the-covid-19-pandemic/

 

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/covid19

 

https://www.eonenergy.com/coronavirus-update/home-support.html    

 

https://www.edfenergy.com/coronavirus-advice

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

 

https://www.gov.uk/lay-offs-short-timeworking

 

https://www.gov.uk/difficulties-paying-hmrc

 

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/

 

https://www.npower.com/help-and-support/coronavirus/

 

https://community.scottishpower.co.uk/t5/Extra-Help/Coronavirus-COVID-19-information-for-ScottishPower-customers/ta-p/15029

 

https://community.scottishpower.co.uk/t5/Extra-Help/Hardship-Fund/ta-p/53

 

https://sse.co.uk/help/coronavirus-questions-and-answers   Southern Electric

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/help-the-hungry-coronavirus-food-bank-felix-project-covid-19-a9430756.html

 

https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/       here

 

https://thefelixproject.org/     Felix Project

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/help-the-hungry-coronavirus-food-bank-felix-project-covid-19-a9430756.html

 

https://nationwide.co.uk/support/coronavirus/mortgage-payment-holiday

https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/news/2020/coronavirus-support-mortgage-payment-holidays

 

https://www.barclays.co.uk/coronavirus/mortgages/

 

https://personal.natwest.com/personal/support-centre/coronavirus.html

 

https://www.aldermore.co.uk/help-centre/coronavirus/coronavirus-information-for-mortgage-customers/

 

https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/coronavirus/faqs/#mortgages

 

https://www.bankofireland.com/coronavirus-update/

 

https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/support/loans-and-mortgages/coronavirus-faq

 

https://www.halifax.co.uk/mortgages/existing-customers/payment-holidays/

 

https://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/helpcentre/coronavirus.html

 

https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/mortgages-coronavirus-consumers

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-confirms-500-million-hardship-fund-will-provide-council-tax-relief-for-vulnerable-households

 

https://www.familyfund.org.uk/FAQs/our-disability-criteria  For Family with disable child/ren

 

https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/

 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/

 

https://www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/grants/

 

https://www.greggsfoundation.org.uk/grants/hardship-fund

 

 

Photo by Michael Longmire on Unsplash

 

Photo by Steve Smith on Unsplash