Domestic abuse
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Remember, if it is an emergency call 999.
Local domestic violence support services
Be Free provide specialist support for adults, young people and children with experience of Domestic Abuse.
Tel: 01282 726000
Email: befree@p-a-c.org.uk
Domestic Abuse Support Services Lancashire (DASSL)
DASSL are a partnership of specialist Domestic Abuse services, providing safe accommodation and community provision across Lancashire. Be Free are the named provider for Pendle.
Tel: 0300 3033 581 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Tel: 116 123 free from any phone or 01282 694929
Tel: 01772 410410
National domestic violence support services
National Domestic Violence Helpline
Galop (for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people)
Rape Crisis (England and Wales)
Hourglass - support specifically for harm and abuse to older people
What is domestic violence?
Women's Aid define domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence. In the majority of cases, the abuse is carried out by a partner or ex-partner, but it can also be a family member or carer. It is very common. In the vast majority of cases, it is experienced by women and is carried out by men. However, it can be experienced by men, and carried out by women.
Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to:
- coercive control - a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence
- psychological and/or emotional abuse
- physical or sexual abuse
- financial or economic abuse
- harassment and stalking
- online or digital abuse
Domestic abuse can also be different forms of family violence against women and girls, including:
- forced marriage
- female genital mutilation
- honour crimes
Those who carry out this type of abuse are primarily family members.
Everyone has the right to be safe in their own home and live free from violence and fear. You may feel humiliated, frightened, ashamed, alone and confused - but you are not to blame.