Domestic abuse: report it

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What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is abuse from your partner, ex-partner or family members.  It doesn't have to happen at home and can be:

  • financial
  • sexual
  • physical
  • emotional
  • psychological

It is rarely a one-off event.   There is no need to continue living in fear or feel that the abuse is your fault.  Tell someone now and together we can stop it.

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How you can report it

Helplines

Reporting domestic violence if you are a council tenant

In addition to contacting any of the above you can:

  • contact the Estate Management Service on 0117 922 2200, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm or
  • visit any of our Customer Service Points.

Where there is an immediate risk or threat to your health and safety always call 999. Police officers will come to help and if necessary arrest the violent person.

The Police can also log cases of domestic abuse without taking any action, if there is no immediate risk. This means that if you are at risk in the future, they will have details of the problem and this will make it more an emergency.

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What we can to do help if you are a council tenant

We can offer:

  • advice and help with security at your home
  • housing and tenancy advice
  • advice and help if you need to move home
  • information on support agencies
  • benefits and money advice
  • support in taking legal action.

You can ask to be referred to the Tenant Support Service for extra support. The services provided are confidential except where a child is concerned.

You:

  • do not need to show proof of violence or abuse
  • can ask to be interviewed by someone of the same gender
  • can ask for someone to translate for you
  • will not have to give your name and address if you don’t want to

We will not give any of your details out or contact any other agency, without your consent, unless where children are involved.

Repairs and security

If you need any repairs because of domestic violence or abuse please contact the Estate Management Service on 0117 922 2200. You will not be charged and your repairs will be dealt with as a priority.

We can arrange for extra security. If you are a joint tenant we only change the locks if you have a obtained a court order, preventing the other person from gaining access to your home. We can let you know how to do this.

Emergency rehousing

If you have been attacked, threatened or are in fear for your own or your children’s safety and feel you cannot stay or return home:

  • During office hours (Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm): Contact the Estate Management Service on 0117 922 2200 or visit any Customer Service Point. They will try to find you temporary accommodation.
  • Outside office hours: Telephone the Police on 101 and ask to be put through to your local police station. They will contact Children and Young People’s Services who can arrange emergency accommodation. In an emergency contact 999.

Housing benefit

Normally housing benefit can only be claimed for one property. However, if you do need to move to temporary accommodation due to domestic violence, housing benefit can be paid on both properties.

To enable this you can claim online for the property you are living in. You will need to sign a statement to confirm that it is the fear of violence that is causing you to stay away from your home.


 

External links

Date for review:  27/11/2013 | Short link: http://www.bristol.gov.uk/node/4972
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