Domestic Abuse
Deputy Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson - YouTube Video
Please note, when this video was originally recorded Deputy Chief Constable Hankinson was Assistant Chief Constable.
Who can help?
Reporting to West Yorkshire Police
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You should report any incidents of domestic abuse to the police by calling 101 or using our online contact methods
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In an emergency, when there is a crime in progress or a danger to life, always dial 999
We have specially trained officers in our district Safeguarding Units who can provide support and practical assistance to those who suffer domestic abuse, for example in making your home safer. We work in partnership with a wide variety of statutory and voluntary agencies who can also provide help and support and with your permission we will put them in touch with you.
If you need to contact the police in an emergency but aren’t able to speak to the operator, click here for information about silent 999 calls.
Safe Spaces
If you are experiencing domestic abuse you can visit a ‘safe space’ where someone can provide you with information and support. Click here for more information and to find your nearest Safe Space.
24 Hour Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247 / National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Victim Support - Victim Support West Yorkshire
Gov.uk - Domestic Abuse: How to get help
What is domestic abuse?
West Yorkshire Police use the following definition of domestic abuse:
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.
The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse:
- Psychological;
- Physical;
- Sexual;
- Financial;
- Emotional; and/or
- Economical.
Controlling behaviour is:
A range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them for sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.
Coercive behaviour is:
An act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish or frighten their victim.
Family members are defined as mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandparents, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew or first cousin, whether directly related, in-laws or step-family.
Domestic abuse occurs mostly towards women from men but men can also be victims. It can occur in any relationship regardless of age, sex, class, race or disability.
What to do if you are a victim
Domestic abuse will not be tolerated by West Yorkshire Police. We treat all reports seriously and we will do whatever we can to help prevent further incidents occurring. We always encourage those who suffer domestic abuse to report incidents to us.
We have a zero-tolerance policy in respect of domestic abuse; we will arrest anyone who is alleged to have committed a criminal offence and will prosecute wherever possible and appropriate.
Who can help?
We have specially trained officers in our district Safeguarding Units who can provide support and practical assistance to those who suffer domestic abuse, for example in making your home safer. We work in partnership with a wide variety of statutory and voluntary agencies who can also provide help and support and with your permission we will put them in touch with you.
Reporting to West Yorkshire Police
-
You should report any incidents of domestic abuse to the police by calling 101
-
In an emergency, when there is a crime in progress or a danger to life, always dial 999
-
Get in touch online via our 101 Live Chat system.
National Agencies
There are also several other National Agencies who you can call for help or support:
- 24 hour National Domestic Abuse helpline
0808 2000 247
- National helpline for perpetrators wanting to change
0808 8024040
www.respectphoneline.org.uk
- Men’s Advice Line - support for abused men.
0808 801 0327
www.mensadviceline.org.uk.
- ManKind Initiative - specialist independent charity supporting male victims of abuse
01823 334244
www.mankind.org.uk
Other Local Contacts
Bradford
- Staying Put
0808 2800 999
www.stayingput.org.uk.
Email [email protected]
- Bradford Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Survivors Service
0800 448 0710
www.bradfordrapecrisis.org.uk
- Men Reaching Out
A service for male victims of Domestic Abuse in Bradford
(Part of the BEAP Community Partnership)
01274 731020
[email protected]
https://twitter.com/menreachingout1
- The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
0330 223 3617
- Men Standing Up
http://www.bradfordcyrenians.org.uk/men-standing-up/
Calderdale
- Calderdale Council
www.calderdale.gov.uk
- Calderdale Women Centre
01422 323339
www.womencentre.org.uk
- Doorways – for help with housing
01422 392460
- The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
0330 223 3617
Kirklees
- Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership
0800 052 7222 (24-hour helpline)
Leeds
- Leeds Domestic Violence Services
0113 246 0401
Email [email protected]
-
Womens Health Matters
www.womenshealthmatters.org.uk
0113 276 2851
Email: [email protected]
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The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
0330 223 3617
Wakefield
- Wakefield Council
www.wakefield.gov.uk
- Turning Point
01924 234 860
Email [email protected]
- Safer Relationship Men’s helpline
07515 573842 (please leave a message)
- Wakefield District Domestic Abuse Service
0800 915 1561
- Wakefield Safeguarding Adults Board
- The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
0330 223 3617
External Links
- The National Stalking Helpline: http://www.stalkinghelpline.org/
- Paladin, the National Stalking Advocacy Service: http://paladinservice.co.uk/
- Suzy Lamplugh Trust http://www.suzylamplugh.org/
- Victim Support www.victimsupport.org.uk
0808 1689111
- Victim Support - Independent Stalking Advocacy Service (West Yorkshire)
0300 373 0978 or email: [email protected]
- Women’s Aid www.womensaid.org.uk
- NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk
- NSPCC Helpline (for adults concerned about a child) 0808 800 5000
- Childline (help for children and young people) 0800 1111
Kate's Story
Accessible Domestic Abuse Resources
Information on Domestic Abuse in British Sign Language and Easy Read formats can be found via the following links:
BSL
Easy Read
Domestic Abuse - Online Safety Guides
Bright Sky App
Bright Sky is a free to download mobile app providing support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.
The app is also available to use in Polish, Punjabi and Urdu.
To download the Android app, click here.
To download the iPhone app, click here.
Page last updated March 2023.