Domestic violence

'Raise the Roof on Domestic Abuse'
UNISON is working with organisations such as Women's Aid www.womensaid.org.uk to raise awareness about this issue, to offer support to those experiencing domestic abuse and to raise the issue with employers. Our work to date has primarily focused on negotiating workplace policies to support UNISON members experiencing domestic violence.

See below for contact details of useful organisations dealing with domestic violence. Click here.

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Why is domestic violence an issue for UNISON?

UNISON members work as part of a health care team and are therefore often in a unique position to identify victims of domestic violence and/or directly work with victims of domestic violence.

Members working in accident and emergency departments, community nursing and GP practices are likely to encounter patients experiencing domestic violence. UNISON members therefore need the support of a comprehensive workplace policy and procedure that addresses health and safety concerns.

Many UNISON members will also experience domestic violence and this is likely to affect work performance and future prospects. Good workplace policies and procedures that support and assist UNISON members experiencing domestic violence are an essential way of demonstrating that employers take their responsibility for the well-being of their employees seriously.

Department of Health resource manual for healthcare professionals

'Domestic violence: a resource manual for healthcare professionals' was produced in March 2000 to bring together existing guidelines and develop good practice throughout the NHS.

The manual aims to explain the facts around domestic violence and how health professionals can recognise it. An invitation was extended to UNISON from the DOH to comment and express our views on the manual before it was released into the public domain.

All NHS organisations should be aware of the manual, and be using it as a reference source for developing local policy, as well as for raising awareness within the workforce. The manual can be downloaded in PDF format from the DOH website at: http://www.doh.gov.uk/pdfs/domestic.pdf

Negotiating good workplace policies

UNISON branches should be negotiating good workplace policies with NHS employers, ensuring that they address the needs of UNISON members, both as professional staff working directly or indirectly with domestic violence, as well as for UNISON members experiencing domestic violence at home.

Links

Organisations providing help

Refuge
2-8 Maltravers Street, London, WC2R 3EE
24 hour helpline: 0870 599 5443
Accommodation and support for women who are experiencing domestic violence.

Women's Aid Federation of England
PO Box 391, Bristol, BS99 7WS
Helpline: 08457 023 468
www.womensaid.org.uk
A national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. They can offer support, advice and information on all aspects of domestic violence.

Welsh Women's Aid
38-48 Crwys Road, Cardiff CF24 4NN
24 hour helpline: 0808 80 10 800
If you live in Wales and you are experiencing domestic violence you can contact Welsh Women's Aid.

Scottish Women's Aid
Helpline: 0131 475 2372
www.scottishwomensaid.co.uk
If you live in Scotland and you are experiencing domestic violence you can call Scottish Women's Aid.

Northern Ireland Women's Aid
129 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HP
Helpline: (028) 90 331818
www.niwaf.org
Help and support for women and children suffering from domestic violence in Northern Ireland.

Rights of Women
52-54 Featherstone St, London, EC1Y 8RT
Helpline: 020 7251 6577
www.rightsofwomen.org.uk
Rights of Women works to attain justice and equality by informing, educating and empowering women on their legal rights.

London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
Tel: 020 7837 7324
www.llgs.org.uk/info.htm
24 hour information, support and referral service for lesbians and gay men from all backgrounds.

Broken Rainbow
J414, Tower Bridge Business Complex, 100 Clements Rd, London, SE16 4DG
Helpline: 08452 60 44 60
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
Email: mail@broken-rainbow.org.uk
UK wide helpline service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who are experiencing domestic violence. Opening hours Mon and Thurs, 2pm-8pm, Wed 10am-1pm

ManKind
Helpline: 0870 794 4124
www.mankind.org.uk
ManKind helps and advises male victims of domestic violence.

Miscarriage Association
c/o Clayton Hospital, Northgate, Wakefield, West Yorks
National Helpline: 01924 200799
www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
The Miscarriage Association offers support and understanding to women who have been through a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

Shelter
80 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HU
Shelterline: 0808 80044 44
www.shelter.org.uk
A national organisation which works at local level to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people.

Victim Support
Helpline: 0845 3030900
www.victimsupport.org
Offers information and support to victims of crime, whether or not they have reported the crime to the police.

Samaritans
Helpline: 08457 90 90 90
www.samaritans.org.uk
24-hour confidential emotional support for anyone in a crisis.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme - London
Morley House, 26-30 Holborn Viaduct, London, EC1A 2JQ
Tel: 020 7842 6800
www.cica.gov.uk
You may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. To apply, you must no longer be living with your partner.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme - Glasgow
Tay House, 300 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4LN
Tel: 0141 331 2726
Ecophone text: 0141 331-2726

Womankind
www.womankind.org.uk
A global campaign which aims to ensure that women's rights are recognised world-wide.

Action on Elder Abuse
Astral House, 1268 London Road, London, SW16 4ER
Tel: 020 8765 7000
www.elderabuse.org.uk
This organisation aims to prevent abuse in old age by raising awareness, providing education and promoting research.

Hidden Hurt - Domestic Abuse Information
www.hiddenhurt.co.uk
This site has been written by a survivor of domestic violence, and provides advice and information to those who are in an abusive relationship.

Break the Chain
www.homeoffice.gov.uk
General information from the Home Office on domestic violence and where to find help and support.

Ethnic minorities groups

Kiran - Asian Women's Aid
Tel: 020 8558 1986
www.rdlogo.com/cwp/kawa/index.html
Provides safe, temporary accommodation for Asian women and their children escaping domestic violence.

Jewish Women's Aid (JWA)
PO Box 2670, London, N12 9ZE
Freephone: 0800 59 12 03
JWA aims to break the silence surrounding domestic violence through education and awareness-raising programmes.

Black Association of Women Step Out (BAWSO)
195 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 1AJ
Tel: 029 2043 7390
This organisation works with black women who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence.

NSPCC Asian Child Protection Helplines
(Open 11am to 7pm, Monday to Friday)
All calls are free
Bengali - Speaking advisor 0800 096 7714
Gujarati - Speaking advisor 0800 096 7715
Hindi - Speaking advisor 0800 096 7716
Punjabi - Speaking advisor 0800 096 7717
Urdu - Speaking advisor 0800 096 7718
English - Speaking Asian advisor 0800 096 7719
Welsh helpline number: 0808 100 2524 (open 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday).

Newham Asian Women's Project
661 Barking Road, London, E13 9EX
Advice line: 020 8552 5524
This domestic violence organisation works on behalf of Asian women living in the Newham area.

Southall Black Sisters
52 Norwood Road, Southall, Middlesex UB2 4DW
Tel: 020 8571 9595
Advice, emotional support and help for black and Asian women.

Immigration Advisory Service
www.iasuk.org
If you need advice on immigration or asylum, contact the Immigration Advisory Service.

Women Acting in Today's Society (WAITS)
Gala House, 3 Radlan Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7RA
Helpline: 0121 440 7000
WAITS offers advice, support and advocacy for women experiencing domestic violence in the West Midlands. They also run survivor groups in the area. They mainly work with women from ethnic minorities, and they have a special project for women of Chinese origin.

Children and related issues

Childline
Helpline: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Free, 24 hour helpline for children and young people who need to talk about any problem they may have.

Barnardo's
Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex, IG6 1QG
www.barnardos.org.uk
Barnardo's helps children, young people and their families over the long term to overcome the most severe disadvantages - problems like abuse, homelessness and poverty.

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Textphone: 0800 056 0566
www.nspcc.org.uk/html/home/home.htm
UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. Over 180 community based projects in England, Wales and N Ireland.

NSPCC (Wales)
Maes y ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW
Tel: 0808 1002524 (child protection helpline)
Textphone: 0808 100 1033
www.nspcc.org.uk
The Cymru/Wales Helpline is for everyone who lives in Wales. They can take calls in either Welsh or English.

NSPCC Asian Child Protection Helplines
(Open 11am to 7pm, Monday to Friday)
All calls are free
Bengali - Speaking advisor 0800 096 7714
Gujarati - Speaking advisor 0800 096 7715
Hindi - Speaking advisor 0800 096 7716
Punjabi - Speaking advisor 0800 096 7717
Urdu - Speaking advisor 0800 096 7718
English - Speaking Asian advisor 0800 096 7719

Crime

Rape Crisis Federation Wales and England
Unit 7 Provident Works, Newdigate Street, Nottingham, NG7 4FD
Tel: 0115 900 3560
Textphone: 0115 900 3563
www.rapecrisis.co.uk
A referral service for women who are seeking advice and/or support around the issues of rape and sexual abuse/assault.

Victim Support
Support line: 0845 303 0900
www.victimsupport.org
A national charity for people affected by crime - offers free and confidential service, irrespective of whether or not a crime has been reported.