What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. It is any incident or pattern of incidents, of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between people aged 16 or over, who are or have been in a relationship or who are immediate family members.

This can include but is not limited to the following types of behaviour:

• Psychological / mental abuse
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse
• Emotional abuse

It can be one of the above, or a number of them.
It does not have to include physical abuse.
If you are in fear of a partner, ex-partner or member of your family, you might be experiencing domestic abuse. For example, do they:

• Call you names and make you feel bad about yourself
• Make you afraid by threatening you or your children
• Behave violently towards you, children or pets
• Stop you or limit you from seeing your family or friends
• Keep money from you
• Harm you or make you feel like you could be seriously harmed

It doesn’t matter about the age, gender, race, ethnic or religious group, class, sexuality, disability or lifestyle of the individual.

Domestic Abuse is a crime.

There are many organisations that can help and support you. You are not to blame for the abuse, no matter what the abuser tells you.
The first steps to take are:

• Recognise that abuse is happening to you
• Accept that you are not to blame
• Get help and support

There is help out there for you.

If you need immediate assistance because you are concerned for your personal safety, or the safety of someone else, call the police on 999.

If something has happened that you need to report, but there is no immediate danger, report this to the police by using:

- The Derbyshire Police website on www.derbyshire.police.uk
- Telephone number 101 (the non-emergency number)
- Direct message on Twitter using @DerPolContact

If you have experienced domestic abuse and need support, advice or a place of safety, phone the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse freephone number 0800 019 8668. (But not for emergencies.)

You can also email them on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or if you are hard of hearing or deaf you can text on: 07534 617252.

This service is provided locally by The Elm Foundation, and is available to everyone - men and women, children and young people, whatever their ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability.

Find out about the help and support The Elm Foundation can provide, and how to contact them on The Elm Foundation website.

Erewash Borough Council works with local services to ensure victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence can get advice and support. We raise awareness with professionals and communities through promotional campaigns, education and training.
We can also support you with advice.

- If you want to discuss your housing options contact our homelessness prevention service.
- If you want to discuss benefits or council tax, contact our Benefits Team.

There are other local and national organisations that can help you;

Derbyshire County Council provides support during and outside normal working hours. Phone Call Derbyshire on 01629 533 190.

Crossroads website – (support and advice for men) or 0800 0198 668

Visit Derbyshire LGBCT+ or call 01332 207 704

The National Domestic Violence free 24-hour helpline number is 0808 200 0247.

Males can contact ManKind on 01823 334244

If you are in a same sex relationship you can call Galop, the National LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline in confidence on 0800 999 5428. Email them on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Visit Safer Derbyshire to find out more about our local services.