Domestic Violence

Domestic Abuse

Help and support for those who need it

Providing Quality Homes & Neighbourhoods

Domestic Abuse This leaflet explains what we can do to help if you are experiencing domestic abuse. A1 Housing aim to provide a sensitive, caring service to anyone who asks for help.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is a very serious issue, which can affect anyone, anywhere, in any set of circumstances.

Most domestic abuse is directed by men against women, but it can occur in other types of relationships, and is also carried out by women against men.

Domestic abuse is about control and the misuse of power, within an intimate relationship.

Domestic abuse can include: • Physical attacks

• Financial Control

• Sexual abuse

• Threats

• Emotional abuse

• Harassment

• Social isolation

• Verbal Abuse

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What help can we give?

If you have a housing related problem caused by domestic abuse this is the service that we provide: • We provide initial advice over the phone and can also arrange to meet you in private and at a place you choose, where comprehensive tenancy advice will be given • If an interpreter is required we will arrange this through Language Line, establishing first, if possible, that you would be happy with this • We will not ask you to prove that you have experienced abuse. However we may ask you to sign a statement confirming the details that you report to us • We will listen to you and give you time to explain the situation • We will not contact the person responsible for the abuse unless requested to do so by you. However, only in exceptional circumstances, at some point in the future it may be necessary to contact the perpetrator about resolving a tenancy matter, but only after any issues about safety have been considered • We will not insist that you take legal action against the abuser but offer advice should you wish to pursue this

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If the person causing the problem is not a tenant of A1 Housing, the action we can take is limited to general advice and support: • We will treat all information you give us in confidence and we will only pass on information to other agencies if you give your permission, unless we are required to do so by law, or the information is necessary for the protection of children • If you do not want to take immediate action but in the future you experience more problems, you can come back to us for help

What procedures do we follow?

There are various types of practical support that A1 Housing can offer to someone reporting domestic abuse, these include: • Helping you to stay in your own home • Finding emergency accommodation via Bassetlaw District Council Homeless Team • Advising on housing options • Contacting other agencies

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Helping you stay in your home

Emergency Accommodation

Some victims of domestic abuse do not wish to leave their home and will be seeking advice and assistance to help them remain there in safety.

If you need to leave your home in an emergency then A1 Housing will work in partnership with Bassetlaw District Council’s Homeless Unit to find emergency accommodation for people who are experiencing domestic abuse and are fearful of further violence. This may be in a refuge or a hostel.

If you are an A1 Housing tenant then we can provide you with a free panic alarm linked up to our 24 hour lifeline service. These enable those at risk of abuse immediate access to our Warden Service who can alert the emergency services in the event of a domestic abuse incident. This service can only be facilitated if you have a telephone landline.

We can also refer you to the Sanctuary Scheme, which will improve the safety of your home. An assessment will be carried out to determine your eligibility for this scheme.

It is a condition of all A1 Housing’s tenancies that the tenant must not cause or threaten violence to anyone else living in the home. If it is proven that the tenant has caused domestic abuse then A1 Housing can ask them to leave, and with the victim’s evidence we can apply to the Court for their eviction from the property.

Emergency accommodation can be arranged outside of the area where this is necessary. Should this be needed after 5pm please call the Out of Hours Emergency Service on 01909 501 999.

Advising on Housing Options It may be that you just need some advice on your own housing options in order to weigh up what’s best for you in your situation.

A1 Housing can give you current advice on how to apply for and availability of A1 Housing properties, and what you would be eligible for in your circumstances. We can also help with referrals to other landlords in the area for alternative accommodation.

We can also help in providing referrals for legal advice if you want to pursue legal measures such as a non-molestation order or an injunction.

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Contacting Other Agencies A1 Housing wants to ensure that you get the best support to help you deal with domestic abuse. Listed on the next page are other agencies within Bassetlaw that can help.

We can arrange for these agencies to be contacted on your behalf, and our officers can explain your situation to them and ask for their help.

Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid can offer safe accommodation and a Women’s Resource Centre, which provides women and children’s outreach services, awareness raising sessions and advice to agencies.

Other voluntary and statutory agencies offer specialist support services that are freely available to people experiencing domestic abuse. A1 Housing can help you in accessing these services.

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Useful Contacts Emergency Services

Bassetlaw District Council

Broken Rainbow

Childline

Fire, Police, Ambulance

Homelessness Team

t: 999 t: 101 - Non emergencies

t: 01909 533 455 e: housing.needs@bassetlaw.gov.uk www.bassetlaw.gov.uk

A web site developed for survivors of same sex abuse

freephone: 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk

t: 0300 999 5428 www.brokenrainbow.org.uk

NSPCC

Nottinghamshire Social Care

Confidential service for anyone concerned about children at risk or for children themselves

Domestic Violence 24 hour Helpline

Women’s Counselling Service

Offers support, access to emergency accommodation and refuge

t: 0115 960 5577 www.nottswomenscounselling.org.uk

t: 0808 800 0340 - Notts t: 0808 200 0247 - 24 hour

Refuge, drop in and outreach services

Victim Support

t: 01909 533 610 www.womensaid.org.uk

t: 01909 500 455 www.victimsupport.org

Men’s Advice Line

Notts Women’s Aid

t: 0808 8010 327 www.mensadviceline.org.uk

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Safeguarding for a child, young person or vulnerable Adult (MASH) t: 0300 500 8090 t: 0300 456 4546 - Out of hours www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

freephone: 0800 800 500 www.nspcc.org.uk

Careline A national confidential counselling line for children, young people and adults t: 0208 514 1177 www.carelineuk.org

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Contact us

0800 590 542

www.a1housing.co.uk customer.services@a1housing.co.uk

Text us on 07860 021 511

Visit us at:

Retford Property Shop Town Hall, 17B The Square, Retford DN22 6DB

Worksop Property Shop Queens Buildings, Potter Street, Worksop S80 2AH

Head Office - Carlton Forest House Hundred Acre Lane, Worksop S81 0TS

All offices are open Monday to Friday 8:40am to 5:00pm

If you need any help communicating with us or understanding any of our documents, please contact us on 0800 590 542.

We can arrange for a copy of this document in large print, audiotape, Braille or for a Language Line interpreter to help you.

Providing Quality Homes & Neighbourhoods