Domestic Violence

If you are being abused by a partner, ex-partner or family member, there are several organisations in West Oxfordshire that offer free and confidential help.

Domestic abuse is a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviour. Your partner, ex-partner or family member may want to control every aspect of your life from where you go, who you see and what you spend. It affects all types of gender, age, religious belief, sexual orientation, race and disability.

The Government defines domestic violence as "Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.

Children

It is emotionally damaging for children to live in a home where there is domestic abuse. People experiencing domestic abuse often worry what will happen to their children if they disclosure to someone. You will be supported to ensure that they are protected from the effects. There is help for you and your children to be safe and reduce the risk.

1 in 10 lives are being affected by domestic abuse; if that includes you or someone you know, get help and support by visiting www.reducingtherisk.org.uk

or www.amiabused.com

GET HELP LOCALLY
The Community Safety Partnership funds an Outreach Service Worker specifically for victims living in West Oxfordshire.

The Outreach Service Worker helps you to:

Keep safe and talk through any issues
Sort out what support you think you might need and she helps you to get it
Explains what your options are

She will also listen and understand, without judging you on the decisions you make. She won't make the situation worse or force you to do anything you don't want to do.

Telephone the Outreach Service Worker on 01993 709 491. All calls are in total confidence.

The following services are also available:
Emergency temporary housing: 01993 705 056
Oxfordshire Women's Aid: 01865 778 400
Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 731 0055
Thames Valley Police Domestic Violence Units: 0845 8 505 505
Victim Support: 01865 751 511
National Helpline (24 hours): 0808 2000 247
Childline: 0800 1111
Broken Rainbow: 0300 999 5428
Kiran Asian Women's Aid: 0208 558 1986
Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
Elder Abuse: 0208 765 7000

In an emergency, always dial 999.

IS THERE ANY INFORMATION AVAILABLE ONLINE?
There are websites which offer further information and advice:

Reducing the Risk - An Oxfordshire-based organisation

The Home Office website

Women's Aid Federation website

The Hideout website - support for children and young people living with domestic violence

Broken Rainbow - domestic violence support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

Staying safe online
If you do not want anyone to know that you have visited this page or any other domestic violence websites, please follow the steps below to clear the computer's history:

Netscape
Pull down Edit menu, select Preferences. Click on Navigator on choose 'Clear History'. Click on Advanced then select Cache. Click on "Clear Disk Cache". On older versions of Netscape: Pull down Options menu. Select Network Options, Select Cache. Click on "Clear Disk Cache".

Internet Explorer
Pull down Tools menu, select Internet Options. On General page, under Temporary Internet Files , click on "Delete Files". Under History click on "Clear History."

AOL
Pull down Members menu, select Preferences. Click on WWW icon. Then select Advanced. Purge Cache.