Definition of Domestic Abuse
Behaviour of a person ('A') towards another person ('B') is 'domestic abuse' if:
- A and B are each aged 16 or over
- are personally connected to each other
- and the behaviour is abusive.
Behaviour is 'abusive' if it consists of any of the following:
- physical or sexual abuse
- violent or threatening behaviour
- controlling or coercive behaviour (the Act extends to cover this behaviour post separation )
- economic abuse
- psychological, emotional or other abuse.
It does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.
Over the coming months we will be delivering three types of Toolkit sessions. These will be short 1-hour sessions focussing on the ‘how to’ response to Domestic Abuse. The three toolkits will be:
Routine enquiry: This session will focus on how to ask the question about domestic abuse. Routine enquiry is expected practice, and this session will help build your skills and confidence in doing so.
Responding to Domestic Abuse: This session will go over the step-by-step response that is expected for Domestic Abuse concerns.
Domestic Abuse Risk Assessments and referrals to MARAC: This toolkit session will go over the DASH assessments and MeRIT assessments used within the footprint of the trust. These will be place based, so you can join the one for your place. The place-based DASH & MeRITs have slight differences, however, if your place uses MeRIT you could join any of the following toolkits: Liverpool, St Helens or Knowsley. If you use DASH: Halton, Warrington & Sefton toolkit sessions would be appropriate. The toolkit will look at completing the form, scoring it, referring to MARAC which will include when to make a referral on professional judgement.
Attendance isn’t mandatory, but we would encourage all to attend one of each tookit type (if capacity allows). These Toolkit sessions are important, as our safeguarding data consistently shows Domestic Abuse as being the highest type of abuse for our service users.
We look forward to seeing you there over the coming months.
Kind regards,
Mersey Care Safeguarding Service
Subject |
Date & Time |
MS Teams Link |
Responding to Domestic Abuse |
2pm-3pm 29 October 2024 |
Meeting ID: 384 740 230 640 Passcode: vgUS9A
|
MERIT and MARAC referral – Liverpool place |
2pm-3pm 30 October 2024 |
Meeting ID: 398 203 829 280 Passcode: 4QASuZ
|
Routine enquiry |
11 am -12 pm 1 November 2024 |
Meeting ID: 385 889 749 573 Passcode: qxeJxL |
MERIT and MARAC referral – Knowsley Place |
2 pm - 3pm 5 November 2024 |
Meeting ID: 392 782 366 460 Passcode: 3HSfuN
|
MERIT and MARAC referral – St Helens |
2 pm - 3pm 6 November 2024 |
Meeting ID: 333 536 229 554 Passcode: syA5Pg
|
DASH and MARAC referral - Halton |
2 pm - 3pm 7 November 2024 |
Meeting ID: 393 580 466 285 Passcode: zGugDw
|
DASH and MARAC referral - Warrington |
11am -12pm 12 November 2024 |
Meeting ID: 366 910 120 002 Passcode: 8rEzgq
|
Responding to Domestic Abuse |
2 pm - 3pm 14 November 2024 |
Meeting ID: 374 279 787 931 Passcode: BsJJtF
|
Routine enquiry (This will be part of Safeguarding Adults Week) |
10 am -11 am 18 November 2024 |
Meeting ID: 339 102 206 140 Passcode: nfpUQk
|
MERIT and MARAC referral – Liverpool place |
2 pm - 3pm 26 November 2024 |
Meeting ID: 370 290 153 399 Passcode: 6TLmt9
|
DASH and MARAC referral – Sefton Place |
2 pm - 3pm 27 November 2024 |
Meeting ID: 369 098 526 712 Passcode: Z5EpNu
|
MERIT and MARAC referral – Knowsley Place |
2 pm - 3pm 28 November 2024 |
Meeting ID: 355 352 306 702 Passcode: ngu46N
|
Resources
In an emergency call 999
For MARAC Referrals please see the Dometic abuse and MARAC section of Safeguarding referrals.
National
Domestic abuse: how to get help - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
National Domestic Violence Helpline
24 hours – 0808 2000 247 Home | Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline (nationaldahelpline.org.uk)
Muslim Women’s Network Helpline 0800 999 5786
National Men’s advice line
0808 8010327 Website Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men | Men's Advice Line UK (mensadviceline.org.uk)
Galop national helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual victims
https://galop.org.uk/
Karma Nirvana
https://karmanirvana.org.uk/ UK Helpline: 0800 5999 247
Hourglass
https://www.wearehourglass.org/
Helpline 0808 808 8141
Text helpline 07860052906
FCO Forced Marriage Unit - a government helpline dedicated to supporting British Nationals overseas and in the UK who are affected by or at risk of a forced marriage. Call 020 7008 0151 (or 0044 20 7008 0151 if you are overseas)
NSPCC FGM Helpline
NSPCC FGM helpline - if you're worried a child is at risk of or has already had FGM, call the free, anonymous dedicated FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgm
National Stalking Helpline
for victims of stalking, their friends, family and professionals. Call the helpline 0808 802 0300 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am-4pm, Wednesday 1pm-4pm) stalking helpline enquiry form
Southall Black Sisters
Advocacy and information for Asian and Afro-Caribbean women suffering abuse
Muslim Women’s Network Helpline
national specialist faith and culturally sensitive helpline that is confidential. Call 0800 999 5786, text 07415 206 936 or email info
The Traveller Movement (TM)
Help for Gypsies, Roma and Traveller women call/whatsApp 0754 1637 795
Vestar specialist family support
Support for Polish victims of domestic abuse.
Vesta - Specialist Family Support CIC | About us, our history, vision (vestasfs.org) Email info
Respect
The Respect Phoneline provides confidential advice for people who are abusive and/or violent towards their partners.
Freephone: 0808 802 4040 Free from landlines and most mobile phones.
respect.uk.net
Ask for ANI at a pharmacy #youarenotalone
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for 'ANI' in a pharmacy that has the 'Ask for ANI' logo on display. 'ANI' stands for Action Needed Immediately but also sounds like the name Annie. They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.
Worst Kept Secret Helpline Merseyside
Freephone: 0800 028 3398 This number will not show up on your phone bill
https://www.localsolutions.org.uk/north-west-services/domestic-abuse/14-worst-kept-secret
Victim Support Merseyside
Free and confidential support for people affected by crime and traumatic events.
0151 353 4003, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
Out of hours: 0808 1689 111
www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/merseyside
Savera UK
Honour-based abuse and harmful practice specialist.
- Freephone: 0800 107 0726
- Head office: 0330 1592004
- info
@saverauk.co.uk - saverauk.co.uk
Paul Lavelle Foundation
Support for men in domestic abusive relationships.
Support line: 0151 651 3777
General enquiries: 0151 294 4176
info@paullavellefoundation.co.uk
paullavellefoundation.co.uk/services
Knowsley
Knowsley Council Safer Communities Domestic Abuse Service:
Tel: 0151 443 2610
or email: Enquiries.safercommunities@knowsley.gov.uk
The First Step (Specialist Independent Domestic Abuse Service):
Tel: 0151 548 3333
www.thefirststep.org.uk
Halton
Halton Domestic Abuse Service can be contacted 24/7 on 0300 11 11 247.
Domestic Abuse | Halton Housing
St Helens
Safe2Speak
01744 743200
Emergency accommodation for Domestic Abuse
01925 220541
safe2speak.co.uk
Warrington
Warrington Independent Domestic Violence Abuse (IDVA) service - advice, emotional and practical support for women, men and young people. Call 01925 243359
Warrington Women's Aid Refuge - safe accommodation for women and children, and support and advice to men experiencing domestic abuse. Call 01925 417138
Safe/Emergency Accommodation - The Homelessness and Housing Advice Service can assist you in finding alternative accommodation in an emergency and provide advice on housing options. They can also arrange to install extra safety measures in your current home – known` as a ‘sanctuary scheme’ if deemed safe. For further information Email housingadvice
The Domestic Abuse Money and Benefits Advice service. This service can provide advice and support on debt, mortgage and rent arrears, financial advice, assessing benefit entitlement, and housing advice call 01925 246970 or email admin
Cheshire CARES (Cope and Recovery Enhanced Service) - local support for victims of crime, even if you don’t want to report the crime to the police. Call 01606 366336
DV Assist – can help you to get Non-Molestation Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Occupation Orders. Call 0800 195 8699
Liverpool
LDAS
0151 263 7474
Freephone: 0800 084 2744
Mobile/Text for hard of hearing: 0756 201 3316
Home - Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service
Local Solutions IDVA Service
0151 709 0990
Info
https://localsolutions.org.uk/
Sefton
SWACA
0151 922 8606
Home - SWACA
Sefton Independent Domestic Violence Advisors Team
0151 934 5142
IDVA.Team@sefton.gov.uk
- Domestic abuse: how to get help - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Advice about domestic abuse | Merseyside Police
- RASA Merseyside - Here for anyone who has been sexually abused or raped
- Home - Merseyside Domestic Violence Service [MDVS] 0151 709 8770
- Home - Paul Lavelle Foundation
- Hourglass (wearehourglass.org)
- Home - Women's Aid (womensaid.org.uk)
- Respect | Home
- Home - Savera (saverauk.co.uk)
- Home (mensaid.co.uk)
- Safe2Speak Domestic Abuse Services - St Helens Gateway
- Worst Kept Secret Helpline (localsolutions.org.uk)
Please see the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Honour Based Abuse and Harmful practices Page for information, advice, resources and e-learning on this topic