What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse can be defined as any threatening behaviour,
violence or abuse - emotional, psychological, physical, sexual or
financial.
This is regardless of gender, age, race or sexuality, and
includes forced marriages and so-called honour-based violence.
Between April 2010 and December 2010, 4092 women
reported being a victim of domestic abuse in Cheshire.
Domestic abuse is an issue that Cheshire Police takes extremely
seriously - and is not acceptable under any circumstances.
Are you a victim of Domestic Abuse?
It is important for women to recognise what abuse is - whether
that be emotional, psychological, physical, sexual or
financial.
Ask yourself the following questions
You may be in an emotionally abusive
relationship if your partner:
- Calls you names, insults you or continually criticises
you.
- Doesn't trust you and continually acts in a jealous or
possessive manner.
- Tries to isolate you from your family or friends.
- Monitors where you go, who you call and who you spend time
with.
- Does not want you to work.
- Controls finances or refuses to share money.
- Punishes you by withholding affection.
- Expects you to ask permission.
- Threatens to hurt you, your children, your family or your
pets.
- Humiliates you in any way.
You may be in a physically abusive relationship
if your partner has ever:
- Damaged property when angry (thrown objects, punched walls,
kicked doors, etc).
- Pushed, slapped, bitten, kicked or choked you.
- Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.
- Scared you by driving recklessly.
- Used a weapon to threaten or hurt you.
- Forced you to leave your home.
- Trapped you in your home or kept you from leaving.
- Prevented you from calling the police or seeking medical
attention.
- Hurt your children.
- Used physical force in sexual situations.
You may be in a sexually abusive relationship
if your partner:
- Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside
relationships.
- Wants you to dress in a sexual way.
- Insults you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names.
- Has ever forced or manipulated you into to having sex or
performing sexual acts.
- Has ever held you down during sex.
- Demands sex when you're sick, tired or after beating you.
- Hurts you with weapons or objects during sex.
- Involves other people in sexual activities with you.
- Ignores your feelings regarding sex.
Did you answer yes to one or more of the above questions?
If you answered yes to one or more of the above
questions, this indicates that you may be experiencing
domestic abuse.
Although every situation is different there are common factors
that link abusive relationships.
Acknowledging these factors is an important step.
How to report Domestic Abuse
If an incident is happening now or someone has been injured or
in danger
Call 999. Below is a video reconstruction
showing how reports of domestic abuse are recieved and the actions
taken by Cheshire Police.
If you are a victim or are concerned about someone
Call Cheshire Police on 101. Below is a video
reconstruction showing how reports of domestic abuse are
recieved and the actions taken by Cheshire Police.
We will investigate all reports of Domestic Abuse
Cheshire Police will investigate all reports of domestic abuse
and, in line with Government guidelines, will take positive action
to bring offenders to justice and hold them
accountable for their actions.
The force has a Public Protection Unit and part of its role is
dedicated to investigating cases of domestic abuse.
Victims of domestic abuse are also offered advice and support
through a number of different channels - including Cheshire
Police's specially trained domestic abuse officers and dedicated
support services via our partner agencies within the local
community.
We want women to have the confidence and know-how to speak out
against the abuse - please do not suffer in
silence.
There are a number of national and local
organisations who are able to give advice and support
about domestic abuse.