Domestic Abuse Support

If you would like to talk to a Housing Officer about domestic abuse, please contact our Neighbourhood Team on 0800 585 360. Alternatively, you can contact other organisations who specialise in domestic abuse and sexual assault advice and guidance.

Could you, or someone you know, be experiencing domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone regardless of gender or sexuality.

At Homes in Sedgemoor we understand that it can be very difficult to take the first step to get help.

Here you can find out what domestic abuse is and how Homes in Sedgemoor can help if you, or someone you know, is experiencing any of the signs.

We are committed to acting quickly and sympathetically to anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse. We will:

• Arrange for you to speak to somebody of the same gender or sexuality if you would prefer.
• Listen to you and ask you how you wish for us to help you
• Offer you support and point you in the direction of specialist agencies who can support you.
• React quickly and effectively to ensure that you are safe
• Be sensitive and understanding when we discuss your situation.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse can cover a wide range of incidents or patterns of incidences, including:

• Psychological: Making you feel devalued and afraid, if you are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT) threatening to ‘out’ you to your family.
• Physical: Kicking, punching, and restraining 
• Sexual – Rape, making you do things you don’t want to do, preventing you from practicing safe sex.   
• Financial – Taking your money and/or controlling your money.  
• Emotional – Making you feel unhappy 
• Controlling behaviour – such as isolating you from family and friends.
• Coercive control – includes a pattern of behaviour to frighten or humiliate you.

If you suspect others of being victims of domestic abuse, things to look out for include:

• Signs of physical violence – does someone have visible marks on their wrists, face or body?
• Is their home damaged – are there holes in the walls or doors? Are cupboards missing doors or windows broken?
• Does the person come across as nervous, anxious, or afraid? Do they appear withdrawn and avoid making eye contact?
• Does the person try to hide damage to their property or injuries from you?
• Do they have untreated medical conditions or injuries?
• Is their home chaotic looking and dirty? Are there lots of flies? Can you see soiled bedding and clothes?
• Is there any evidence of drug or substance misuse?
• Is anyone unbathed? Do they have severe body odour?
• Does a child act in an inappropriate way in your company. Such as using sexually explicit language or using sexually explicit behaviour
• Does anyone appear dehydrated or malnourished? Do they beg you for food or drink or money?

Cover your tracks online

The safest way to access sites if you want to be completely sure of not being tracked online, is to use a computer at a local library, an internet cafe, a friend’s house or at work. We have also included a hide this page button on this page which will quickly take you to another site.

If you’re worried that someone may see what you have been looking at online there’s a few things you can do to minimise the chances of them finding out like deleting your browser history.

Click on the links below for whichever browser you use for instructions on how to do it.

• Internet Explorer
• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Opera
• Safari
• Android device
• Safari iPhone/iPad
• Google app iPhone/iPad/Android/Computer

Please remember that although clearing your history minimises the chances of someone knowing what websites you have visited there is other means of finding this out if you have the know how.

Make a Stand Campaign

Homes in Sedgemoor were the first housing organisation to sign up to the Make a Stand Campaign. As part of our Make a Stand pledge, we committed to these four commitments: