Domestic abuse: help and support available to Great Park residents
A woman sitting at home speaking on the phone, with subtle support and safety icons beside her, representing confidential help and support for people experiencing domestic abuse
Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, background, sexuality or where they live.
For somebody experiencing abuse behind closed doors, knowing where to turn – or even recognising that what is happening to them is abuse – can be extremely difficult.
Great Park Gazette is publishing this information following the decision of domestic abuse survivor Natasha Holland to share her experience publicly through Northumbria Police.
Natasha has spoken about what happened to her in the hope that other people experiencing controlling, frightening or violent behaviour will recognise the warning signs and reach out for help.
Her full story can be read on the Northumbria Police website:
DOMESTIC ABUSE IS NOT ALWAYS PHYSICAL
Domestic abuse can take many different forms.
It can include:
• Physical violence
• Threats or intimidation
• Coercive or controlling behaviour
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial or economic abuse
• Stalking and harassment
• Isolation from friends or family
• Monitoring your phone, messages or social media
• Controlling where you go or who you speak to
• Controlling access to money
• Threatening children, relatives or pets
• Repeated humiliation or degrading behaviour
• Preventing somebody from making their own decisions
Someone does not have to physically assault you for their behaviour to be abusive.
If you feel frightened of a partner, former partner or family member, feel that you are constantly changing your behaviour to avoid their reaction, or feel that somebody is controlling your life, support is available.
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER
Call 999.
If you cannot speak safely during a 999 call from a mobile phone, listen to the operator and, when prompted, press 55.
This can transfer the call to the police.
If possible, try to communicate in another way by coughing, tapping the phone or responding to questions without alerting the person you are afraid of.
If violence is happening, somebody is threatening violence, or somebody's life is in immediate danger, always use 999.
REPORTING DOMESTIC ABUSE TO NORTHUMBRIA POLICE
Domestic abuse can also be reported when the situation is not an immediate emergency.
You can:
• Call Northumbria Police on 101
• Report domestic abuse through the Northumbria Police website
• Visit a police station
You can make a report about abuse involving a current partner, former partner or family member.
You do not need to wait for the situation to become violent before asking for help.
LOCAL HELP IN NEWCASTLE – NIDAS
Residents in Great Park can access the Newcastle Integrated Domestic Abuse Service, known as NIDAS.
NIDAS provides specialist support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people aged 16 or over who are experiencing, or are at risk of, domestic abuse.
Support can include advice, safety planning, help remaining safely in your existing home, alternative accommodation and specialist support for people considered at high risk.
Telephone:
0191 214 6501
Email:
Nidas.team@changing-lives.org.uk
You do not have to wait until you have decided to leave a relationship before contacting a domestic abuse service.
IF YOU NEED SOMEWHERE SAFE TO STAY
If domestic abuse means it is not safe for you to remain at home, Newcastle City Council's Housing Advice Centre can provide housing and homelessness advice.
Freephone:
0800 1707 008
The Housing Advice Centre can also be contacted if you have nowhere safe to stay that night.
Support may be available to help you find safe accommodation or, depending on your circumstances, make it safer for you to remain in your existing home.
NATIONAL DOMESTIC ABUSE HELPLINE
Women experiencing domestic abuse can contact Refuge's National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
It is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day.
Telephone:
0808 2000 247
You do not need to be certain that what you are experiencing is domestic abuse before calling.
The service can listen, discuss your circumstances and help you understand the options available to you.
SUPPORT FOR MEN
Men can also experience domestic abuse.
The Men's Advice Line provides confidential support specifically for male victims of domestic abuse.
Telephone:
0808 801 0327
The service can provide information, emotional support and advice about safety and available options.
SUPPORT FOR LGBT+ PEOPLE
LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse or other forms of abuse can contact Galop.
National LGBT+ Helpline:
0800 999 5428
Email:
Galop provides confidential advice and support for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse and violence.
DIGITAL DOMESTIC ABUSE
Abuse can also happen through phones, social media and other technology.
Digital domestic abuse can include:
• Monitoring someone's phone
• Reading messages without permission
• Tracking somebody's location
• Controlling social media accounts
• Sending threatening or abusive messages
• Impersonating somebody online
• Using spyware or tracking applications
• Controlling smart cameras, doorbells, lights or other connected devices
• Controlling somebody's online banking
If you believe somebody may be monitoring your phone or computer, consider using a device they cannot access when looking for help.
Be careful about suddenly deleting browser histories or changing passwords if doing so could alert an abusive person and place you at greater risk.
Specialist domestic abuse services can help you think through these issues safely.
CLARE'S LAW – CHECKING A PARTNER'S HISTORY
If you are worried that a current or former partner may have a history of domestic violence or abuse, you can make an application to Northumbria Police under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, commonly known as Clare's Law.
You can apply because you are concerned about your own partner or former partner.
You can also make an application because you are worried about the partner of a friend or relative.
Northumbria Police will assess the information available and decide whether there is information that should be disclosed to protect somebody from harm.
Applications are free and confidential.
Information about Clare's Law and applications can be found through the Northumbria Police website.
IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT SOMEBODY ELSE
Domestic abuse can be difficult to talk about.
Somebody experiencing abuse may be frightened, isolated, financially dependent on the person abusing them, worried about children or pets, or simply not ready to leave.
If somebody tells you they are experiencing abuse:
• Listen to them
• Take what they tell you seriously
• Avoid blaming them
• Do not confront the alleged abuser yourself if doing so could increase the danger
• Encourage them to speak to a specialist service
• Call 999 if somebody is in immediate danger
Leaving an abusive relationship can itself be a particularly dangerous time, so specialist safety advice can be important.
CHILDREN AND DOMESTIC ABUSE
Children can be deeply affected by domestic abuse even when violence is not directed towards them.
If you are concerned about a child who may be at risk, contact the appropriate safeguarding service or police.
Children and young people can also contact Childline on:
0800 1111
In an emergency, call 999.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN EMERGENCY
One of the most important messages from Natasha's experience is that people should not feel they have to keep abuse to themselves until something extremely serious happens.
Controlling and coercive behaviour can develop gradually.
You can ask for advice even if you are unsure what you want to do next.
You can speak to a domestic abuse service without committing yourself to leaving a relationship, making a police report or taking a particular course of action.
Sometimes the first step is simply speaking privately to somebody who understands domestic abuse and can help you assess your situation.
READ NATASHA'S STORY
Natasha Holland has chosen to share her experience publicly in the hope that it encourages other victims and survivors to speak up and seek help.
Her full account, including how she was able to contact the emergency services and the support she subsequently received, can be read on the Northumbria Police website:
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Emergency
999
Silent 999 call from a mobile
Press 55 when prompted if you cannot speak
Northumbria Police – non-emergency
101
Newcastle Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (NIDAS)
0191 214 6501
Newcastle City Council Housing Advice Centre
0800 1707 008
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – Refuge
0808 2000 247
24 hours a day
Men's Advice Line
0808 801 0327
Galop – LGBT+ victims and survivors
0800 999 5428
Childline
0800 1111
A MESSAGE TO GREAT PARK RESIDENTS
Domestic abuse can happen in any community, including ours.
There should be no stigma attached to asking for help.
Whether you are experiencing physical violence, coercive control, intimidation, financial abuse, digital monitoring or simply feel frightened by somebody's behaviour, you are entitled to seek advice and support.
And if you recognise yourself in something you have read here, you do not have to deal with it alone.
