Domestic abuse victims reassured help is still available

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (OPCCN) would like to reassure victims and survivors of domestic abuse that we will maintain the highest level of service possible during this challenging time.

Alongside all our partners, including Norfolk Constabulary, the OPCCN is working to ensure those vulnerable to such abuse know help is still out there and they need not suffer in silence.

The Coronavirus can disproportionately impact on those who already face many challenges in the home, which can be even more frightening during self-isolation with an abuser.

However, the OPCCN is keen for victims to know there is someone there to help.

Our team remains in regular contact with all our commissioned services, including specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence services, to offer help and guidance on how to best put in place contingency arrangements and adapt services to address demand. In some case, extra financial support is being offered by our office.

Moving to reassure victims, Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Lorne Green, said: “Supporting victims and reducing vulnerability is one of my absolute key priorities as Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

“I would like to assure victims that my team has been, and continues to work tirelessly with our commissioned services to ensure the right help and support is out there.

“Now is a time more than ever when we must work together to continue to give a voice to the women, men and children in our county who have been or continue to be affected by this crime.”

How to get help

The police will always respond to emergency calls if you are in immediate danger and there are many local charities and organisations still working to help you through this difficult period where you may feel more at risk.

If you know someone who is the victim of domestic abuse, we encourage you to seek help.

Some charities and organisations will be offering support over the telephone or online, please see our list below if you need to contact someone for support or advice.

If you are in immediate danger you should still call 999. Police 101 is the non-emergency number.

Silent Solution

The Silent Solution system helps filter out accidental or hoax 999 calls from those who need genuine police assistance.

If you are calling from a mobile phone and speaking or making an immediate sound would put you in danger and you need immediate help, call 999 and stay on the line, then press 55 when prompted and the call will be transferred to the police, who will know it is an emergency call.

If you are calling from a landline, Silent Solution does not apply as it is less likely to call 999 by accident. If an emergency call is made and no one speaks and only background noise is heard and an operator does not know whether an emergency service is needed, you will be connected to a police call handler.

Information about where you are calling from on a landline will be automatically available to call handlers to help provide a police response.

 

OPCCN commissioned services:

Leeway: 0300 561 0077 Email: referrals@leewaynwa.org.uk Website: https://www.leewaysupport.org Norwich, Broadland, Breckland, West Norfolk

Daisy Programme: 01953880903 Email: help@daisyprogramme.org.uk FB: https://en-gb.facebook.com/daisyprogramme.org.uk/ Breckland

Pandora: (contact online) Website: https://www.pandoraproject.org.uk/ - Live web chat available Mon-Fri 1-3pm West Norfolk, North Norfolk

Sue Lambert Trust: 01603 622406 Email: info@suelamberttrust.org Website: https://www.suelamberttrust.org/ Norfolk Wide (based Norwich, and Great Yarmouth)

Spurgeons (Norwich Connect): 01603 628122 Email: norwichconnect@spurgeons.org Website: www.spurgeons.org/norwichconnect/ Norwich

Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care (24 hr support line for immediate emotional and practical support for all victims of crime): 0300 303 3706 Email: nsvictimcare@victimsupport.org.uk Website: https://www.nsvictimcare.org/contact-us/

Live chat available 24/7 www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat

 

National helplines

Women’s Aid - 24hr National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 or www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us. Website: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/

Refuge - National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or contact the helpline via Refuge’s contact form at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk. Website: https://www.refuge.org.uk/

GALOP (LBGT+ Anti violence charity): 0800 999 5428  / Website: http://www.galop.org.uk/

Mankind Initiative (Male Victims): (01823) 334244  / Website: https://www.mankind.org.uk/

Men’s Advice Line (Male Victims): 0808 801 0327 / Website: http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk/

Respect (working with abusers to change their behaviour and male victims of domestic abuse): 020 3559 6650 /  Website: http://respect.uk.net/

The Home Office have published a factsheet of guidance on GOV.UK signposting support to victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse it also contains access to information on multi languages. Updated GOV.UK advice on domestic abuse and COVID-19

Resources for staying safe from domestic abuse during Covid 19

National charity SafeLives have put together some information and resources for people living with domestic abuse, and the professionals supporting them during this difficult time. Website: www.safelives.org.uk/news-views/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19

Safety Planning

SafeLives safety planning guide can help you think about what you might do over the coming weeks to stay safe in the home. View the document here>>

Economic Abuse

The charity Surviving Economic Abuse have produced guidance on economic abuse while self-isolating, as well as practical issues including benefits and sick pay. The guidance is updated regularly as the situation changes.

Mobile support and information available through Bright Sky app

Bright Sky is a free to download mobile app, launched by Hestia in partnership with the Vodafone Foundation, providing support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.

The app can be used by specialist, non-specialist practitioners, other employers, and for anyone looking for information about issues around domestic abuse such as online safety, stalking and harassment and sexual consent. Find out more here >>

Child Contact Arrangements

Rights of Women have produced this guidance on COVID-19 and child contact arrangements >>.