What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of abusing and controlling behaviour. It is often caused by a partner or ex-partner, but can also be a family member or carer. It is very common. Domestic abuse can include controlling and coercive behaviour, psychological and emotional, financial abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, sexual abuse and rape, threats, harassment and stalking and online or digital abuse. You are being abused if you feel you have to alter your behaviour because you’re frightened of how someone will react or treat you.Domestic abuse can affect anyone – men, women and those who identify as non-binary and it can occur in any relationship – heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, young or old.
How we can help you
You have the right to feel safe in your home. As your landlord, we’ll help and support you and you can call us freephone on 0800 3 282 282. We will connect you with our trained officers who are experienced in handling these kinds of situations
You can also complete our dedicated online form to request a call back at a time to suit you. Please be assured, we will not leave a voicemail or discuss your case with anyone else who may answer your phone.
Request a call backSeeking support if you are being abused can be hard, and you may feel like there is nowhere to turn. But, you are not alone and it is not your fault. Free and confidential help and support is available from Hyde and you will be taken seriously. We will:
- provide a sensitive and confidential response to anyone approaching us for assistance in cases of domestic abuse
- ensure that anyone experiencing domestic abuse can ask to meet our staff in confidence at our offices or at an agreed choice of safe venue. We will also agree the safest method of contact to use
- give people experiencing domestic abuse the opportunity to ask for a staff member of the same gender to speak to, and if requested, and where possible, of the same ethnic origin
- work with any individual experiencing domestic abuse irrespective of age, gender, sexuality, disability, ethnicity, religion or social background
- provide an independent translation service where necessary.
If you have concerns that another Hyde resident is suffering domestic abuse, you can also let us know on 0800 3 282 282. If you feel something is happening right now, please call the police on 999.
Other help and support services
If you ever need to call 999 for urgent police help but can’t speak, the Silent Solution guide gives advice on what to do to get help.
You can find help and support from the National Domestic Violence Helpline, Women’s Aid and Refuge on this helpline number 0808 2000 247.
You can also download the Bright Sky app onto your mobile device. Bright Sky allows you to record incidents of domestic abuse and has details of support agencies that can help you.
You can find more useful information by following the links below:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline
- Refuge
- Victim Support
- Government guidance on how to get help
- Citizens Advice
- Surviving economic abuse
Read our Antisocial behaviour page for information on how to get help for other types of violence.
Safe spaces
If you need a safe space to escape to or to access help and support, pharmacies including Boots, Superdrug, Morrisons and independent pharmacies across the UK provide ‘Safe Spaces’ in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse. Find your nearest Safe Space.
Specialist help for male victims
- Respect (for male victims of domestic abuse and also men that are concerned about their own behaviour)
- Men's Advice Line
Specialist help for honour-based abuse and forced marriages
Specialist help for black and minority ethnic women
- Imkaan (a women’s organisation addressing violence against black and minority women and girls)
- Southall Black Sisters (specialist support, advocacy and information to Asian and Afro-Caribbean women suffering abuse).
- Women's aid directory of specialist services for Black and minority ethnic women
Specialist help available for LGBTQ+ victims
Specialist help for victims for whom English is a second language
- Chayn provides online help and resources in a number of languages about identifying manipulative situations and how friends can support those being abused.
Specialist help available for younger victims
- Childline 0800 1111 If you’re a child or young person and domestic abuse is happening in your home or relationship.
Specialist help available for older victims
- Hour Glass 0808 808 8141 challenging the abuse of older people in all its forms.
Specialist help if you are being stalked
- Paladin national stalking advocacy service
- Suzy Lamplugh Trust stalking help and advice
Read our Antisocial behaviour page for information on how to get help for other types of violence.
Specialist help if you are deaf or hard of hearing
Specialist help if you are pregnant or have recently had a baby
- NHS
- Tommy's a charity who support, care for and champion people, no matter where they may be on their pregnancy journey
Specialist help if you have a disability
- Women's aid - the survivors handbook, disabled women.