Speak Out Today

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, there is help and support available to you. Domestic abuse is a crime. You do not have to put up with it. Speak Out Today.

Click here to read our advice and guidance if you are a victim of domestic abuse

Or visit the Hampshire Domestic Abuse Forum website for information on local services. This website may appear in your web browser as http://www.regional-weather.co.uk/ to help be more discreet in your browsing history.

We are currently running a campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse and to encourage any victims, abusers, friends and family to Speak Out Today and report it.

If you think a family member or friend is experiencing domestic abuse, there are also things you can do to help.

To report any incidents of domestic abuse call us on 101. In an emergency always call 999.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.

Domestic abuse may, and often does include a range of abusive behaviour, not all of which may be violent.

One in four women and one in six men experience domestic abuse at some point in their life.

Domestic abuse can affect anyone and can involve any of the following:

• Physical abuse
  This can include punching, slapping, pulling hair, biting, burning and choking.

• Financial abuse
  This can include being kept without money or forced to account for your spending and having your wages or benefits taken from you.

• Emotional abuse
  This includes being verbally abused or made to look stupid in front of other people and not being allowed to see family or friends.
• Sexual violence
  This includes rape, sexual assault, being forced to watch or take part in pornography and indecent phone calls.
• Threats
  This includes verbal or physical threats and being watched, followed or pestered.
• Honour Based Violence
  This includes Forced Marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and dowry abuse.

If any of the above applies to you, or you are worried about somebody, there are places you can go and people you can talk to. Visit the Hampshire Domestic Abuse website.