Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is when a person uses controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading or violent behavior against someone they are or were in a relationship with. It is between those that are 16 and over and are, or have been in an intimate relationship, family members or have a parental relationship in relation to the same child.

This type of behavior can include, but is not limited to:

• Physical or sexual abuse
• Violent or threatening behaviour
• Controlling or coercive behaviour
• Financial or digital abuse
• Psychological, emotional or other abuse
• Stalking and harassment

Domestic abuse is never your fault, and you are not alone. There are services available to support you.

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Support in Kent and Medway

You can find information about domestic abuse services in Medway and Kent online. To get help in Kent, contact Victim Support for an assessment and referral to a local service. You can call them on 0808 168 9111 or use their Live Chat.

The phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Immediate Help or Refuge

If you need a safe, temporary place to live (a refuge) or need immediate help, call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline. The number is 0808 2000 247, and it’s open 24 hours a day.

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Oasis Domestic Abuse Service holds a virtual drop in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm. Note that they are closed on bank holidays.

• Call: 07856 856278
• Email: EastKent1SS@gmail.com (If it’s safe to do so, be sure to cover your tracks).

If you email, you will receive a reply by noon on the same day.

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Oasis Domestic Abuse Service

Oasis Domestic Abuse Service is a charity that helps women, men, and families in Thanet who are experiencing domestic abuse. They offer different types of support, including hospital Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA’s) and one-on-one support for children.

For non-emergency support, call 0800 917 9948 between Monday and Friday.

SignHealth

SignHealth is a health charity for deaf adults and young people experiencing domestic abuse.

• Text: 07800 003421
• Email: da@signhealth.org.uk

Refuge

Refuge is the UK’s largest domestic abuse organization. You can call their helpline on 0800 2000 247.

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ManKind Helpline

The ManKind Initiative is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic violence.

• Freephone: 0808 800 1170
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed on bank holidays)

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Broken Rainbow

Broken Rainbow (for LGBTQ+ people experiencing domestic violence)

• Call: 0300 999 5428

Galop

Galop National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence

• Call: 0800 999 5428
• Email: help@galop.org.uk

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Southall Black Sisters

Southall Black Sisters offers advice and information to Black and minority women and children experiencing domestic or sexual abuse. You can call their helpline on 0208 571 0800 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9am to 5pm.

Karma Nirvana

Karma Nirvana is a charity with a free and confidential helpline for people at risk of honor-based abuse and forced marriage. Call them on 0800 5999 247.

The Traveller Movement

The Traveller Movement has a domestic abuse helpline for all Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller women in the UK seeking help. Call the helpline on 0754 1637 795.

Opoka

Opoka has a helpline for Polish-speaking women and children affected by domestic violence. Call 0117 427 0012 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, between 10am and 1pm.

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Respect

Respect is a leading charity that helps people who have used domestic abuse and want to change their behavior. They also support male victims of domestic abuse.

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No matter your immigration status, if you are experiencing domestic abuse, you have the right to be protected by the police and the courts.

You can:

• Apply for the Destitute Domestic Violence Concession (DDVC): This allows you to claim benefits so you can stay in a refuge or find other housing. Apply for the migrant victims of domestic abuse concession – GOV.UK. This lasts for three months, during which time you can apply for indefinite leave to remain as a victim of domestic abuse.
• Get help from social services, the Home Office, the No Recourse to Public Funds Network, or other charities.

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• Women’s aid- what is coercive control?
• Understanding power and control
• Oasis 7 minute videos

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The council’s Community Safety team works in partnership with Kent County Council Safer Scheme which aims to help people that have experienced domestic abuse to remain in their own homes and feel safe. It provides more choice and control for survivors. This is done by carrying out security assessments and providing extra home security. The scheme is funded, so you won’t need to pay anything.

What can be provided

The scheme is made to fit the needs of the individual. It offers extra security measures to your home and support from agencies. The security measures include;

• Extra locks for windows and doors
• Panic alarms
• Stronger, fireproof doors
• Better security lighting

Who is eligible for the scheme

The scheme is available to anyone living in Thanet who is, or could become, homeless because of domestic abuse or hate crime. It is available to homeowners, housing association tenants and people who rent their property privately. If you rent privately, you will need permission from your landlord for the work to take place. If you own or rent your property with the abuser, you will need to seek legal advice. No work can be carried out on a property if the abuser has a legal right to live there.

How does it work

The scheme works from a professional referral and you can contact housing@thanet.gov.uk or community.safety@thanet.gov.uk for support. You can find more information on kent.gov.uk

Benefits of the scheme

• Continued support
• No need to move house
• No need to transfer children to another school
• No need to change doctors, dentists or other services

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Thanet District Council is working towards its DAHA accreditation.

The Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) was founded in 2014 by two housing associations and a domestic abuse charity. All district councils in Kent are working towards their DAHA accreditation. We began our journey in September 2024 and are committed to raising the awareness of domestic abuse- it’s everybody’s business.

The DAHA mission is to provide people working in the housing sector with a model for responding to domestic abuse. This is achieved through eight priority areas, 43 standards and an accreditation process.

To get DAHA accreditation, we need to meet all the standards and give evidence through an online portal.

We have started creating a staff and a resident’s domestic abuse policy. We are also focused on staff training. Once these policies are live they will be put online.

The DAHA accreditation is awarded as bronze, silver or gold according to their framework.

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