Domestic abuse
People have the right to be safe in their homes and relationships. No one, whatever their gender, sexuality, age, culture, race or disability should suffer domestic abuse.
Some children, and women and men could be facing increased risks as we are all asked to stay at home due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are here to help you.
If you are thinking about leaving an abusive relationship and are worried about your safety or the safety of your children, you do not have to suffer alone. There are people who can help, and you can take steps to stay safe.
What is domestic violence and abuse?
Domestic violence or abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional. This can include financial and economic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour. This can happen to men and women and can affect the whole family. Children are affected by seeing or hearing it as well as suffering abuse themselves.
Has your partner or family member:
- Called you names and made you feel bad about yourself?
- Made you afraid by threatening you or your children?
- Behaved violently towards you?
- Stopped you seeing your friends or family?
- Kept you without money?
- Caused you to fear for your safety?
- Followed or texted you constantly?
Signs of coercive control:
- Isolation – controlling who you can speak to, monitoring you online and/or offline, checking up on you, monopolising your time.
- Pressuring you to do things you don’t want to do – making you feel bad and guilt tripping you to do things, policing what you wear.
- Distancing you from family and friends.
- Criticising and verbal abuse – undermining you, shouting, unpicking you, accusing you, name calling, putting you down, using information you have shared against you.
- Gaslighting you – distorting the reality to upend and manipulate you.
- Threats, charm, rules, regulations and disrespect.
Where to find help:
Contact us
- If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger telephone the police on 999. If it's not safe to speak dial 55 during the call to let the operator know you are in danger.
- For non emergency police matters telephone 101.
You can also contact our Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service on 0300 123 7047 option 2 (during office hours) or the national 24 hour domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247.
If you have concerns about a child's welfare or feel they may be being abused or neglected call the Integrated Access and Referral Team (i-ART) for help and advice.
- Telephone: 0300 123 7047
The team can be contacted 8.30am to 5pm from Monday to Thursday and 8.30am - 4.30pm on a Friday.
If you have an urgent concern outside these hours, or over a bank holiday, please call the Emergency Duty Team (out of hours) on 01244 977277.
Alternatively call Cheshire Police: 101 (999 in an emergency).
Online security
If you’re worried about someone knowing you have visited this website and other domestic abuse pages from your computer please visit cover your tracks online on the Women's Aid website.
