If there is an immediate threat of violence:
- phone 999, or get someone else to phone immediately (For advice contact the Police on 0845 60 60 365) Darlington Police have a nominated female domestic abuse officer.
- move to a safe place: avoid the kitchen, and stay near a door
- if in doubt, get out!
Then, as soon as you can:
- contact the Darlington Women's Refuge Helpline: 01325 364486 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm); or
- the National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours-a-day, seven days a week); or
- The Darlington Domestic Abuse Service: 01325 352501.
- consider getting help with legal action to stop the violence
If you need to get out
- If you need to get out of your home, you can use our 24 hour emergency service ring: 0870 240 2994.
- We can arrange temporary accommodation and help you assess your choices.
- Doing this does not mean you have to move out permanently. We prefer to help people stay in their own home, and remove the violent person.
Thinking ahead:
If your situation is not an immediate emergency, but might become one; keep these things in a safe, accessible place:
- a print-out of this page
- any other useful contact phone numbers and addresses
- cash for taxi, bus or train
- spare keys for the car or house
- a change of clothes, and essential documents
- a plan of where to go and how to get there
Legal action to stop domestic violence
You can take legal action to stop the violent person, or to remove them from your home, or the place you're staying.
The type of legal action depends on the type of housing you live in - council, housing association, renting from a private landlord, or a home you and/or the violent person owns.
Getting an injunction
If the violence or threats of violence has happened very recently, we can help get an 'injunction' - an order from the court instructing the person to stop the violence - within 24 hours. There'll usually be a full court hearing within a few weeks. The injunctions usually last for six months to 12 months.
Some injunctions include a 'power of arrest'. The person can be arrested if they ignore the order to stop.
If you have children, the injunction can remove the violent person from your home for up to 12 months. There must be a court hearing first; it usually takes a few weeks to set this up.
Police warnings
The police can quickly issue warnings to the violent person. If they ignore a warning, they can be taken to court; although this may take several months. The court can send them to prison, and impose restrictions - excluding them from specific places for instance.
Help with legal action
Contact the Domestic Abuse Service on 01325 352501. They can help you through legal action against the violent person - giving you support, listening to concerns, explaining proceedings, discussing choices, and helping deal with the police or solicitors.
They can advise you about a 'safety plan' - for example having somewhere safe to stay during legal action.
The Sanctuary scheme
If the violent person no longer lives with you, we can help make your home safer and more secure so you can continue to live there independently.
The Sanctuary scheme is for people who could become homeless because of domestic violence. It helps you stay living in your home, and to feel safer by fitting free security measures. It doesn't matter what type of housing you live in - council, housing association, renting from a private landlord, or a home you own.
It's a partnership between the Council, the police and fire service.
How does it work?
- You contact us, or we're told about your circumstances by an agency like the police, women's aid, or housing organisation
- If you and your property could be suitable, one of our expert domestic violence workers will carry out a 'risk assessment' with you, based on your circumstances.
- Someone from Safe Partnership or the police will survey your home to see if security measures are appropriate
- If you and your home are suitable, we will ask your landlord (if you have one) to agree to the work
- We have a certain amount of money for the scheme. If there is money available the security measures will be fitted
- We will tell the police and fire service about the security measures in case you call them in an emergency
All this can often be done within a few working days, but the time it takes can differ depending on the circumstances and the type of property.
Advice and support from the Domestic Abuse Service.
They can give you the vital advice, and the practical and emotional support you need to live independently. This could include:
- getting expert help on things like mental health, drugs or alcohol
- putting you in touch with other helpful organisations
- advising about clearing debts, sorting out rent and bills, managing money and claiming benefits
- giving you tips about making the most of your neighbourhood - finding shops and services, looking for a job or training course, and making use of leisure time
They will talk through problems with you, and agree a 'support plan' that tells you what to expect from them, and how often they'll visit.
Other Organisations who can help:
Darlington Domestic Abuse Forum
Give a comprehensive advice service, including contact numbers for all local agencies who work together to help victims of Domestic Abuse.
Telephone 01325 364486
Darlington Domestic Abuse Forum