Domestic Violence Awareness

Domestic Violence awareness, also called domestic abuse falls during the period of the 25 December 2020– 10 January 2021. This year there has been an increase in the number of cases due to lockdown and each Christmas period there are rising incidences and both are due to individuals spending so much time at home together.

Domestic abuse is defined as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a family member or carer.  Twenty-five per cent of women and 16 per cent of men are affected by domestic violence during their adult lifetime. It can include, but it is not limited to:

• Coercive control – a pattern of intimation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of a physical or sexual violence
• Psychological and/or emotional abuse
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Financial or economic abuse
• Harassment and stalking
• Online or digital abuse

NHS has provided support for both men and women access here the short recording available were two women describe their experiences of domestic violence can be viewed here.

To speak to someone in confidence in the College you may contact a Mental Health First Aider, a member of the HR team or Inspire Wellbeing click here

In an emergency you should always dial 999, however there are useful organisations with local support and these can be obtained in the self help guide page 18 click here and the Mind Yourself App for contacts for support click here