Domestic abuse support

Domestic abuse

Nobody should ever have to experience any form of abuse. Eastlight takes a zero tolerance approach against domestic abuse and will help men and women affected to get the help and support they need.

Covid-19 Update

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, then isolation rules do not apply. Police response and support services remain available. Visit gov.uk/domestic-abuse or call 999 if you are in immediate danger. You can also contact us for advice and support.

Where you can get help

You can:

• Report domestic abuse directly by calling 01206 244700 or completing the online form found here. Please be assured, we will not leave a voicemail, respond by text or discuss your case with anyone else who may answer your phone.
• Contact COMPASS – a single point of access to support male and female victims of domestic abuse across Essex
• Call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247
• Call the police on 999 if there is any immediate danger, or visit a police station. If you're calling from a mobile phone but are unable to speak, you can press '55' when asked what type of service you require, then stay on the line.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse, or domestic violence, is defined as any incident of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of their gender or sexuality.

It's important to remember domestic abuse:

• can happen inside and outside the home
• can happen over the phone, on the internet and on social networking sites
• can happen in any relationship and can continue even after the relationship has ended
• both men and women can be abused or be abusers.

It is rarely a one-off event and tends to get worse over time. Abusers can be very controlling in the way they use their power and control over you and may blame you and other factors for their abusive behaviours.

Types of abuse

Domestic abuse can be emotional, physical, sexual, financial, economic or psychological, some of the traits you may recognise include;

• kicking, hitting, punching or cutting
• rape (including in a relationship)
• controlling someone's finances by withholding money or stopping someone earning
• controlling behaviour, like telling someone where they can go and what they can wear
• not letting someone leave the house
• reading emails, text messages or letters
• threatening to kill someone or harm them
• threatening to another family member or pet.

Effects of domestic abuse

Living in a home where domestic abuse happens can have a serious impact on both yourself and a child or young person’s mental and physical wellbeing, as well as their behaviour, this can, in some situations last into adulthood.

Eastlight will take a zero-tolerance approach to any tenant/household member that has been proven to have committed any type of violence or abuse. We will do this by working closely with the Police and other key partners.