Domestic violence

Women are more likely to be at risk in the home than outside it.

Men also experience violence at home and the same advice applies to them.

Domestic violence can include:

• Physical (being hit)
• Sexual (rape or degrading treatment)
• Emotionally or psychologically (being told that you are worthless or a bad person)
• Financially (having money withheld, or being forbidden from getting a job)
• Socially (not being allowed to see friends and family or go out)

However you experience domestic violence, it almost always gets worse over time.

It is not your fault and you do not deserve it.

You (and your children) have the right to live free from fear and harm. This is true whatever your race, age, background or religion and whether you are married or living with your partner. In some cases, the violence continues (and gets worse) after the relationship has ended.

Domestic violence is a crime. See information about Crimestoppers' domestic violence campaign.

What you can do:

• If you are experiencing domestic violence, you may feel like you have nowhere to go, or no-one to turn to. This is not true. There are a lot of organisations who can help you
• You may report your partner to the police and try to have them kept away from you, your children and your house
• You may decide to leave the house and go to a friend's or relative's house, or to a refuge or hostel. There are some hostels specifically for women
• If you decide to leave, try to take things like passports or other identification, your children's birth certificates and bank and benefit details

For more help:

• Broken Rainbow - Helpline for LGBT people experiencing domestic violence. Phone 08452 60 44 60 or 0300 999 LGBT (5428) [This number allows callers using mobiles to speak to Broken Rainbow at a cheaper more transparent rate] Mondays and Thursdays from 2pm to 8pm, and Wednesdays 10am till 1pm.
• Men's Advice Line provides a range of services aimed primarily at men experiencing domestic abuse from their partner.
• NCDV helps victims of domestic violence obtain non-molestation and other orders (injunctions) from courts to protect them from further abuse.
• NDVH Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence helpline, run in partnership with Women's Aid and Refuge.
• Refuge's network of safe houses provides emergency accommodation for women and children when they are most in need.
• Respect is a registered charity and national membership organisation promoting best practice for domestic violence perpetrator programmes and associated support services in the UK.
• Women's Aid is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.
• Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre is a charity based in mid-Wales providing support to any individual, male or female, and their children, who have or are experiencing domestic abuse.