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Domestic abuse -3

Domestic abuse and sexual violence survivors encouraged to seek help during firebreak lockdown

Anogir goroeswyr cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol i geisio cymorth yn ystod y cyfnod o gloi mewn argyfwng

Today, in a direct plea which comes as Wales moves towards the firebreak lockdown, the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, asked friends and neighbours to look out for signs of domestic abuse, and encouraged victims and survivors to seek help and escape from their homes if necessary.

Specialist services remain open and are available to help victims of harm or abuse during the fire-break lockdown. Perpetrator services, which work to prevent incidents of domestic abuse from happening, also remain open and will continue to provide support.

Jane Hutt said:

“Times of crisis can result in an increase in incidents of domestic violence, and home is not always a place of safety.

“It is vital, if you are at risk, that you should seek support straight away. You will not be in trouble if you need to leave your home to seek help, and specialist services are open and operating, refuges will take referrals, and support is available to help you.

“I want to emphasise this – if you are in danger or need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse, you are allowed to do so – you will not be in trouble. You can cross county boundaries and travel wherever necessary, and specialist services can help find you suitable emergency accommodation and support.

“I urge communities, friends, neighbours, postal workers and delivery drivers across Wales to look out for each other, and act as the eyes and ears for victims of abuse who need help. These are scary times for all of us, but those at risk of abuse could be hanging on to life by a thread.

“It is very important, for your safety and the victim’s, that you don’t intervene yourself, but you can help by calling 999 in an emergency or Live Fear Free (contact details below). You could be saving a life.”

If you or someone you know is suffering physical or emotional abuse at the hands of a partner, here are some ways to get help:

  • If you can’t talk in safety, but you need help immediately, police forces across Wales will respond to a silent 999 call – dial 999, followed by 55 when the operator answers to indicate that you can’t talk, but need help.
  • Signs that abuse is happening behind closed doors could include repeated shouting, sounds of things being hit, smashed or broken, and continuing crying or pleas to stop. Victims might have cuts or bruises, look confused or dishevelled, or be anxious or withdrawn.
  • If you suspect that someone, whether child or adult, is suffering abuse, harm, neglect, harassment, control, physical violence or emotional abuse at the hands of a family member or partner, please call 999 if it’s an emergency, or seek support on Welsh Government’s ‘reporting suspected abuse, harm or neglect site’ here - https://gov.wales/reporting-suspected-abuse-harm-or-neglect-safeguarding.
  • If you are worried about your own behaviour, you can get non-judgemental help by contacting the Respect Phoneline: https://respectphoneline.org.uk/ Tel: 0808 8024 040

Notes to editors

Welsh Government Coronavirus firebreak - Frequently asked Questions:

When can I leave home?

  • to escape a risk of illness or injury, such as for victims or people at risk of domestic abuse
  • to access services provided to victims of crime or domestic abuse or those at imminent risk of becoming victims

Further information here - https://gov.wales/coronavirus-firebreak-frequently-asked-questions#content

 

For domestic violence or sexual violence support, please contact:

  • The Live Fear Free helpline is a free 24/7 service for all victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence and those close to them, including family, friends and colleagues.  It will remain open and offering a full service during the Corona virus emergency.
  • Police – 999 in an emergency
  • Silent 999: If you can’t talk in safety, but you need help immediately, police forces across Wales will respond to a silent 999 call – dial 999, and when the operator answers, dial 55 to indicate that you can’t talk, but need help.
  • Welsh Government’s ‘Reporting suspected abuse, harm or neglect site’ here
  • The NSPCC can be contacted by phone at: 0808 800 5000 or at nspcc.org.uk.
  • Meic is a confidential, anonymous, and free bilingual helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales and you can still access this vital information, useful advice and support need during this period of lock down and are open 8am - midnight, 7 days a week, by phone 080880 25456, SMS text 84001 and instant messaging https://www.meiccymru.org
  • Childline is a free, private and confidential service to anyone under 19 in the UK where they can talk about anything. https://www.childline.org.uk/ where support is also delivered via webpages and message boards. The Childline number is: 0800 1111.

You can speak to a real person and get the support you need, or chat about any concerns you may be having.

  • The Safer Wales Dyn project provides support to Heterosexual, Gay, Bisexual and Trans men who are experiencing Domestic abuse from a partner.

http://www.dynwales.org/contact-dyn-project/?contentID=577   Tel: 0808 801 0321

  • The Bawso helpline offers support to BAME victims and survivors affected by domestic abuse and all forms of violence against women.

https://bawso.org.uk/contact-us/ Tel: 08007318147