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Domestic Violence awareness ribbonDomestic Violence / Abuse

The term domestic violence is used to describe anything from emotional abuse and financial abuse to sexual abuse, intimidation, isolation and/or threats.

This can mean:

  • Putting the person down or making the victim feel bad about themselves

  • Playing mind-games and making the person feel they are stupid or going mad

  • Enforced isolation from family or friends

  • Trying to keep the person from getting a job

  • Making the person ask for money or withholding money

  • Actual or threatened physical harm

  • Making another person do sexual things against their will

  • Making someone afraid by smashing things and destroying things

  • Making or carrying out threats to hurt someone emotionally - threatening to take the children away or commit suicide.

If you are a parent experiencing domestic violence you may have many concerns over your children, including being:

  • Worried that you will be prevented from taking your children with you if you leave a violent relationship

  • Worried over contact your children may have with the abuser

  • Worried that you need financial or practical support to look after your children

  • Worried that your children have been traumatised by domestic violence and want extra support for them

  • Worried that your children may be abducted.

If you are affected by domestic violence, you are not alone. You can talk over these concerns, confidentially, with a number of specialist, sensitive services who won't judge you because of what you say or force you to make a decision you do not want to make.

It is important to remember that the abuse you have experienced, and your children have been exposed to, is not your fault.

To see detailed inter-agency procedures regarding Domestic Violence/Abuse - see Sandwell SCB Procedures: Domestic Abuse.


Listed below are some of the organisations that can support you:

If you are a male victim of domestic violence, contact:

  • Victim Support Men's Helpline
    Services available: Helpline for male victims of sexual and domestic abuse. Provides an opportunity to talk in confidence and anonymously
    Tel: 0800 328 3623
    Click here to visit the Victim support website

  • M.A.L.E: Mens Advice Line Enquiries
     Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic violence whether in straight, gay, bi sexual or transgender relationship
    Tel: 0808 801 0327
    Click here to visit Men's Advice Line

For men and women in a gay, bisexual or transgender relationship, contact:

  • West Midlands Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
    Tel:     0845 2578255