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What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer (personally connected). It is very common and in the vast majority of cases it is against women and is perpetrated by men, although abuse does happen to men too. Alongside our current service provision, we are also able to support children with specific programmes both 1-1 and in a group, male victims of abuse including safe accommodation, and also female perpetrators.

Watch this short video, about domestic abuse and how it presents. Do you recognise any of these behaviours? : The #WhatAreYouDoing Campaign - click here to watch

Please call 0800 111 4998 to refer to any of our services.

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)

  • Psychological and/or emotional abuse

  • Physical abuse including strangulation and suffocation - please click here for information if you are affected or being subjected to strangulation/suffocation

  • Sexual abuse

  • Financial and Economic abuse - acquire, use or maintain money or other property, or obtain goods or services

  • Harassment

  • Stalking and surveillance

  • Online or digital abuse eg: 'revenge porn'

Our organisation supports the view that “domestic abuse is a gendered crime which is deeply rooted in the societal inequality between women and men. It takes place 'because she is a woman' and happens disproportionately to women.” 

Women are more likely than men to experience multiple incidents of abuse, different types of domestic abuse (intimate partner violence, sexual assault and stalking) and in particular sexual violence. Any woman can be subjected to domestic abuse regardless of wealth, race, ethnic or religious group, sexuality, class, or disability, but some women who experience other forms of oppression and discrimination may face further barriers to disclosing abuse and finding help.

Domestic abuse exists as part of violence against women and girls; which also includes different forms of family abuse such as Forced Marriage (FM), Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and so called “honour" crimes (Honour Based Abuse HBA) that are perpetrated primarily by family members, often with multiple perpetrators, often community members who they may not even know.

MULTIPLE NEEDS

Not all disabilities are visible. A person with 'multiple needs' is someone who has two or more needs affecting their physical, mental, social or financial wellbeing, along side domestic abuse. 

Many of the women supported by Coventry Haven Women's Aid have multiple needs; often these women are particularly vulnerable, have reached crisis point and have experienced barriers to accessing services.  

At Coventry Haven Women's Aid we recognise that in addition to their domestic abuse situation, women may have other needs that impact on their life and choices.  We often support women who require help with other issues such as mental health, substance misuse, physical health conditions, learning disabilities, LGBT, immigration, homelessness, housing issues, poverty, trauma, family or other relationship challenges.  This is why we work collaboratively with other agencies to ensure women get ALL of the support they need. 

SERVICES OFFERED

  • Helpline - support, signposting, advice and information: SafeToTalk Helpline 0800 111 4998 or 02476 444077 (Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.30pm)

  • The Listening Post - Our "women-only" Centre

  • Community and Advocacy Support - working within the local community

  • IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) - for help with criminal and civil legal support

  • Refuge - 24 hour access to safe accommodation / emergency bed space - including specific support for children and young people

  • FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) - support, information and awareness raising

  • FM/HBA (Forced Marriage/Honour Based Abuse) - support, information and awareness raising

  • IRIS Project - support and training for GP's and their practice staff. Please see here for more information

  • Early Intervention Project

  • Multi-Agency DA Champions Project

  • Court IDVA

  • Children’s Wish Programme

  • DVPP (Domestic Violence Perpetrators Programme) - Independent Support Service for women and children who's partners are attending the Perpetrators Programme

  • Ask Me Project - Community Ambassadors to raise awareness of domestic abuse and create safe environments so that survivors feel able to speak out. Please contact here for more information

  • Coventry Women’s Partnership - alongside FWT, CRASAC, Kairos- WWT and Central England Law Centre

  • Just4Me - peer support, activity based groups held in the community

  • DVA (Domestic Violence Awareness) ‘One Step Forward’ - programme of support - please click here

  • Training and Awareness sessions offered to employers and professionals in health, social care and education, police, schools (both teachers and pupils), colleges, universities, GP's, hospitals

  • Legal Advice - local solicitors offer a weekly legal 'surgery' at the Listening Post

  • Counselling - professional counsellors offer weekly sessions

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