Abuse, domestic violence & sexual assault

Everyone has the right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Abuse can happen to people in all sections of society in any setting and is the violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by someone else. Abuse might be unintentional; the important factor is whether the adult at risk is harmed or not. It can be physical, sexual, psychological, financial. It can involve neglect, harassment, forced labour or self-neglect.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger please call 999 and ask for the police. Silent calls will work if you are not safe to speak – use the Silent Solution system and call 999 and then press 55 when prompted. If you can’t use a voice phone, you can register with the police text service – text: REGISTER to 999. Find out more: www.emergencysms.net

If you do not feel safe at home
Getting help and support for domestic violence
Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone. You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help. If domestic abuse is happening to you, it’s important to tell someone and remember you’re not alone and there is help and support available to you.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police – the police will continue to respond to emergency calls. If you suspect that your neighbours or others in your community are victims of domestic abuse, do report it to the police.

Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) is a county-wide service designed to reduce the level of domestic abuse and improve the safety of victims and their families. Find out more about what they have to offer here.

If you’re worried someone might see you have visited this page, the Women’s Aid website tells you how to cover your tracks online.

Information about the signs of domestic violence and abuse and how to access help and support for you or for someone you know is available here

Alternatively, take a look at the services listed below.

Abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults
In Gloucestershire there’s a statutory partnership – the Safeguarding Adults Board of all organisations working together to safeguard adults at risk in the county and they provide support to report, investigate and to stop abuse. Find out more here

Abuse and neglect of children
Find out what we are doing in Gloucestershire to protect children and improve their wellbeing by visiting the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children’s Board website which has information and guidance for professionals, parents and carers and young people.

The Home Office has launched a new campaign, ‘Something’s Not Right’, on Tuesday 17th November 2020 to help secondary school children in England who suffered a range of harms, such as sexual and physical abuse, during lockdown. The campaign’s brand, Something’s Not Right, centres on the insight that children who suffer different forms of abuse may not have the ability to define or describe their experience, but they know the emotions they feel and the sense that something is not right. The campaign will help children to understand what may be causing them to feel these emotions and signpost support. To read more about the campaign visit www.childline.org.uk/somethings-not-right

Sexual assault services
A sexual assault is a crime no matter who commits it or where it takes place; don’t be afraid to get help. Find out more about rape, sexual assault and the help that is available here

A sexual assault referral centre is a place you can find help and medical care, and where you will be taken seriously. The service is free and you don’t need a referral. Everything you talk about is confidential, and the service will not inform the police unless you tell them to. You can access the service 24 hours.

A sexual assault referral centre can arrange for you to have tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a medicine to reduce your chance of getting HIV and emergency contraception if you need them. They can also sometimes take samples soon after the assault that can be stored in case you want to report it to the police.
Find your nearest sexual assault referral centre

It is your decision if you want to tell the police or not. If you do, you will be supported by a specially trained police officer and a specially trained doctor. Other places that may help you are:
• your local sexual health clinic
• a hospital A&E department
• the police
• your GP
• young people’s service

You can also call the Rape Crisis freephone helpline on 0808 802 9999. The helpline is open 12-2.30pm and 7-9.30pm every day of the year, providing support for female and male victims, partners, family and friends.

For more information, read about getting help after a sexual assault or read advice and information from Gloucestershire constabulary about reporting rape or sexual assault or getting support from Independent sexual violence advisers on your options here or take a look at alternative support services listed below.