| How
we can help if you are being threatened or abused by a relative or
partner.
Are
you being threatened or abused by a relative or partner?
Do
you feel that you have no choice but to live with the violence?
Have
they told you that there is nothing you can do, nowhere you can go,
or that they will find you if you try to leave?
There
is no excuse for domestic violence and you can get help to stop it.
This
Web page explains how we can help you if you are living in one of
our homes.
What
is domestic violence?
It is where you are being abused by someone you have a relationship
with (or have had a relationship with in the past). This includes:
•
your husband, wife, or partner
• your parents or step-parents
• other family members (for example, grandparents, in-laws,
brothers, or sisters)
• your children.
You
can be abused whether you are a man or a woman. Abuse doesn’t
just mean someone hitting you. It can also be:
•
verbal abuse
• threats
• sexual abuse
• stopping you having contact with your friends or family
• taking away your money
• damaging your home or belongings.
Domestic
violence is a serious crime.
You don’t have to live with it.
What
can I do?
There are no easy solutions. This Web page is a quick guide to what
you can do to protect yourself and your family. You can talk to your
neighbourhood housing officer for more advice on what to do and your
legal rights. They will listen to you without judging you or thinking
badly of you, and will not tell anyone what is happening unless you
say that they can.
You can also talk to any of the other organisations listed in this
leaflet. However, please remember that if anyone thinks that your
children are being abused, they must tell the police and social services
so that this can be investigated.
Can
the law help me?
The law has changed. It is now easier for you to get help and protection
from domestic violence. You can get information about this from a
solicitor, the police, or Citizens Advice.
Domestic violence is a crime which the police take very seriously.
Their first priority is your safety and wellbeing. They will help
you if you want to press charges but can also give you lots of information
and support.
Can
I leave my home?
If you are suffering from domestic violence and do not feel safe in
your own home, your neighbourhood housing officer can tell you how
to find somewhere else to live.
Moving into temporary accommodation
If you need to move quickly, you can contact us. We do not provide
emergency accommodation, but if you are a woman, we may be able to
find you a place in one of our refuges. These are places where women
and their children can live in safety until they either return to
their home or move somewhere else.
You
can also contact the following organisations. You can find the phone
numbers at the end of this leaflet.
Your
local council
They may have a legal duty to arrange temporary accommodation for
you if you are suffering from domestic violence. This may be in a
refuge or bed and breakfast. They will look at your individual situation
before deciding whether to do this. They will also work with us to
find you a permanent new home.
Women’s
Aid
This is a national network of organisations providing a wide range
of advice and support. They can work with the council to help you
find a place in a refuge either in Wiltshire or somewhere else if
there are no vacancies or you want to move further away.
Mankind
This is an organisation for men who are suffering from domestic violence.
They can give you support and find you a place in a refuge for men.
There are other specialist organisations and refuges for people of
different religions and cultures. Please contact us for more information
about these services.
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Housing
Benefit and temporary accommodation
You can claim Housing Benefit for both your home and your temporary
accommodation for up to one year, as long as you plan to return to
your home within 52 weeks. The rules to qualify for this benefit are
complicated, so please talk to your neighbourhood housing officer
for advice and fill in the forms as soon as you can after leaving.
If you decide to move into temporary accommodation and never return
to your home, you will only be able to claim Housing Benefit for both
properties for up to four weeks. You will need to tell us that you
want to end your tenancy agreement. Please ask us for advice first.
Moving
to another home
If you want to move to another one of our homes to get away from the
violence, we can put you on the transfer waiting list. However, it
can take a long time for a property to become available.
Can
I speed up the process?
If you are moving to get away from domestic violence, we will give
you higher priority on the waiting list. You may need to get supporting
letters to show that this is the case (your neighbourhood housing
officer will be able to tell you about this). We can move you faster
if you don’t mind which area or type of property you move into.
Even
if you are given the highest priority, it can still take some time
and we may only be able to offer you one choice of property.
Can
I move if I am not the tenant or if I have a joint tenancy?
If you are not the tenant, you can join the normal waiting list for
your own home.
If you are a joint tenant, you can apply for a transfer. You do not
have to tell the other tenant that you are moving. You can also put
the tenancy into your own name, if the other tenant agrees or if the
court gives you a property transfer order (for example, if you get
divorced). Your neighbourhood housing officer will be able to give
you general advice about this, but may need to pass you on to a solicitor
or Citizens Advice.
What
if my home is damaged?
If your home is deliberately damaged, it is usually up to you to pay
for repairs. If your abuser damages your home, you should talk to
your neighbourhood housing officer, as you may not have to pay for
the repairs. We may ask you to report the incident to the police.
What
if I owe you rent?
It doesn’t matter. We will try to help anyone who is suffering
from domestic violence. Please talk to your neighbourhood housing
officer.
How
will I manage with money and benefits?
You can claim benefits if you leave a violent partner – some
can be paid even if you are working. Your neighbourhood housing officer
can offer advice. The important thing is to ask for help early. Many
people get into financial problems at times of crisis only because
they have not asked for help early enough.
Useful
phone numbers
Please
get in touch with your neighbourhood housing officer as soon as possible
so that we can try to help you. If you live in the:
• Malmesbury, Cricklade, Wootton Bassett, Calne, Purton or Swindon
areas,
please call the north team on 01249 466130; or
• Chippenham, Corsham, Melksham or Trowbridge area, please call
the south team on 01249 466140.
Our office
hours are 8.45am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.45am to 4.45pm
on Fridays. If you have an emergency outside office hours, please
call us on 0800 854 205.
Other
organisations you can call are listed below.
• Wiltshire Council 0300 456 0100
• Swindon Borough Council 01793 463000
• Wiltshire Constabulary Domestic Violence Units Contact via
the central Police telephone number: 0845 408 7000
• SPLITZ Support Service
(supports single parents and people suffering domestic abuse) 0845
600 1945
• Wiltshire Social Services 0845 603 1570
• Emergency duty team 0845 607 0888
• Swindon Social Services 01793 466900
• Emergency duty team 01793 436699
• Wiltshire Victim Support 01380 729476
• North Wiltshire citizens advice bureau 0845 1203707
• West Wiltshire citizens advice bureau 0845 1203737
• Swindon citizens advice bureau 0845 0505155
• Women’s Aid Helpline (24 hours) 0808 2000 247.
•
Mankind (support for men suffering domestic violence) 0870 794 4124
•
Your doctor, health visitor, or solicitor.
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