Domestic abuse
If you need to get off this page quickly for any reason, click here and the page will be directed to the BBC website. Remember to cover your tracks online.
For immediate help in an emergency call the police on 999. If you're not able to speak, press 55 at any time and you'll be automatically transferred to the police.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer.
Behaviour is "abusive" if it consists of any of the following:
- physical or sexual abuse
- violent or threatening behaviour
- controlling or coercive behaviour
- economic abuse
- psychological, emotional or other abuse
It does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.
How do I report domestic abuse if I am a council tenant?
If you feel frightened, controlled, or are hurt by an abuser, or someone you know is in immediate danger, always call 999.
If you do not have anywhere safe to stay tonight, please contact us on 01775 761161 (office hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) or 0808 100 0210 (free phone) / 01522 782235 (out of office hours)
Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service (LDASS) supports women, men or children who are, or have experienced domestic abuse, whether physical, sexual, emotional or financial. You can call them (9am - 5pm weekdays) on 01522 510041 or call the national (24 hour) helpline: 0808 2000 247. You can also email info@ldass.org.uk
Alternatively, please contact us by phoning 01775 761161 or emailing estatemanagement@sholland.gov.uk (if it is safe to do so). A Housing Officer will contact you to arrange a meeting at a venue that suits you, so that you will feel safe in reporting the abuse, and with a colleague of the same gender, if requested.
Anything you tell us will be kept in complete confidence. You will not be judged. We remain sensitive to domestic abuse happening regardless of your circumstances, be that age, gender, class, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, or relationship status.
What support can I access as a council tenant?
We can offer you support, along with advice and guidance, which includes referrals to specialist support agencies. This can include helping you access alternative accommodation if it's not safe for you to stay at your home.
We can also arrange additional security to your council property such as extra locks, bolts, and fire-resistant letterboxes, if needed.
Domestic abuse is a sensitive and complex issue and so we work closely with partner organisations to ensure people get appropriate and effective support.
Our commitments as your landlord
When you speak to us about your experiences, you can expect us to:
- Respond to all reports of domestic abuse within one working day.
- Act, where appropriate, against perpetrators of domestic abuse.
- Treat domestic abuse cases with priority and confidentiality, unless we have a duty to share information by law, or in child protection circumstances.
- Keep victims of domestic abuse informed at all stages of a case.
- Offer additional security such as installing external lighting and additional locks to doors.
- Complete a domestic abuse risk assessment in all cases, unless one has recently been completed by another agency.
The Police are the most appropriate body to take immediate action where there has been abuse or a fear of abuse, and they may apply for a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) resulting in a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO). The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) known as 'Clare's Law' gives any member of the public the right to ask the police if their partner may pose a risk to them. Visit the link below for more information.