Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age, religion, sexuality or ethnicity.
It’s important to recognise the signs of abuse to protect yourself and your family.
Domestic abuse includes:
- Physical abuse: this includes violent attacks, throwing objects, holding you down or pushing you
- Coercive control: isolating you from friends and family, meaning you have to rely on your abuser
- Sexual abuse: this includes manipulating you into doing things you don’t want to do, in addition to physical sexual attacks
- Psychological abuse: this includes calling you names, making threats, manipulating you or blaming you for the abuse you are experiencing
- Economic abuse: controlling your money or your ability to work or forcing you into debt
- Tech abuse: sending abuse messages, tracking you, sharing images of you online or demanding to view your devices.
Reporting abuse
You can call us on 0330 303 2222.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are in danger, you can call 999 without speaking and press 55, or tapping or coughing into the phone and police will attend.
Confidential Support in a Safe Space
We want you to feel as comfortable as possible when talking to us. If you need a confidential conversation, we can provide a safe and private space that works best for you.
This could be:
- At our Cobalt office
- A local community venue
- In your home
- (Depending on location) at a friend or relative’s home
- Via Microsoft Teams or a telephone call
Your Privacy Matters
Any disclosure you make will be treated in confidence. We will only take further action with your expressed permission, unless:
- There is a risk of harm to a person
- A court order has been breached
- A criminal activity has taken place
We are here to support you if you are experiencing domestic abuse, or if you are worried that someone living in a Cobalt home is being abused.
Further support
There is lots of support available if you are experiencing domestic abuse or are worried that someone is.
Support for people who use abusive behaviour
We understand it can be difficult to admit when your behaviour is abusive.
It’s important to remember that abuse is a criminal offence and can harm someone in many different ways, sometimes over a long period of time. For some people, the impact of abuse may never fully go away.
While Cobalt supports survivors of domestic abuse, we also want to help people who use abusive behaviour to take responsibility, change and make safer choices.
If you have acted in an abusive way and want to get support to change, help is available from Respect Phoneline. They provide free, confidential and non-judgemental advice to help people stop abusing others. They can also help you access behaviour-change programmes.
Abuse can include
- Coercive or controlling behaviour
Manipulative behaviour that may involve intimidation, threats, or isolating someone from family, friends or support. - Financial abuse
Controlling someone’s money or access to finances, including pressuring them to hand over money or agree to financial decisions. - Emotional abuse
Humiliating someone, belittling them, or using bullying behaviour to undermine confidence and self-worth. - Physical abuse
Using violence, such as hitting, kicking, or throwing objects. - Sexual abuse
Forcing or pressuring someone into sexual activity without consent, including where consent is given under fear, pressure, or coercion.
If you are worried that abusive behaviour is affecting your relationship or negatively impacting your family, visit Respect Phoneline.
Call: 0808 802 4040
Email: [email protected]