- The government have confirmed that individuals who are experiencing abuse are allowed to leave their home, this includes students living in private accommodation or student halls.
- Women, men and their children travelling to refuge accommodation while coronavirus lockdown measures are in force can still apply for free train travel through a partnership between train companies and Women’s Aid. Once an offer of a refuge has been received, tickets can be accessed through local domestic violence services- For Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland residents, please contact Women’s Aid.
What is Domestic Violence?
Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Coercive Control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
- Psychological and/or Emotional Abuse
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Financial Abuse
- Forced Marriage
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Honour-Based Violence
- Online or Digital Abuse
Coercive control is when a person you are personally connected with repeatedly behaves in a way that makes you feel controlled, isolated or scared. This could include isolating you from friends and family, controlling your finances, monitoring what you do and where you go, putting you down and making you feel worthless or threatening to harm you, your child or your property. There is not a definitive list of behaviours, as the abuser will often use various means to establish controlling or coercive behaviour.
Honour based abuse is a collection of practices used to control behaviour within families in order to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or honour. Violence can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and/or community by breaking their ‘honour code’.
- Physical abuse (kicking and beating)
- Psychological pressure (strict monitoring, humiliation, threats)
- Forced Marriage
- Abandonment (leaving someone in their country of origin or sending them back there);
- Forced suicide
- Honour killing (murder)
Immediate and Ongoing Support
- Standing Together team: can offer practical support and guidance in relation to unacceptable behaviours. Our work involves supporting students on a 1:1 basis, and providing holistic support options and referrals, where relevant. After an initial needs and risk assessment, we can provide students with options in relation to reporting and support – including those detailed above and below. We can also support students in accessing services and coordinating this. In order to access this support, please leave your contact email address when completing the online disclosure form. For more information, please visit the campaigns tab of this system.
- Counselling and Wellbeing team: https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/counselling
Counselling information leaflet: https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/counselling/aboutus/StudentCounsellingWellbeingServiceAgreement.pdf
- AccessAbility team: https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/accessability
- Welfare team: https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/welfare
(particularly for financial concerns, support for underrepresented groups, and general advice and signposting)
- National Domestic Violence Helpline- Freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
- Women’s Aid Leicestershire support women and children fleeing domestic and sexual abuse. To access outreach support or supported refuge accommodation within Women’s Aid Leicestershire, call the helpline on: 0330 00 210 10
- Mankind offers a confidential helpline for all men across the UK suffering from domestic violence or abuse. Call 01823 334244 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday
- United Against Violence & Abuse (UAVA) provides co-ordinated sexual and domestic violence services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for anyone over the age of 13. You do not need to report to the police to access this service. Call 0808 80 200 28. For text support: 07715 994 962 (This is for text support only, calls to this number will not be answered) 8am – 8pm, Monday to Saturday
- Galop provides emotional and practical support for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse. Call 0800 999 5428 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday (open until 8pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays).
- LGBT+ Survivors Forum - The forum will allow users to share their experiences, support one another and receive information and support from the team at the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline. The LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Survivors Forum will provide this safe space for LGBT+ people to support one another. You can access the forum here: LGBT+ Survivors Forum
- The Mix offers free support for young people on anything from healthy relationships to finances. They've got some specific tools to help young people navigate relationships which might be helpful in opening a conversation with someone you're worried about:
- Karma Nirvana is a charity supporting victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage. They run a national helpline offering direct support and guidance. Call: 0800 5999 247 9am-5pm Monday-Friday
- The Halo Project is a charity supporting victims of honour-based abuse, forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Call: 0808 1788 424 or 01642 683 045 9am-5pm Monday-Friday
- Togetherall- a free online mental health support community, available 24/7. Access a variety of courses and resources to help manage mental health. The platform is ran by trained professionals and allows users to share anonymously and receive support from others. No referral required- please visit their website to register.