What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse, or domestic violence, is defined across Government as any incident of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of their gender or sexuality. 

Domestic abuse can begin at any stage of a relationship, sometimes continuing after a relationship has ended. Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of gender, class, age, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or lifestyle.

How can you recognise domestic abuse?

Some factors to help recognise if you, or someone you know, are in an abusive relationship:

• Destructive criticism and verbal abuse.
• Pressure tactics - sulking, threatening to withhold money, taking the car away.
• Denial - saying the abuse doesn't happen, saying you caused the abusive behaviour.
• Harassment - following you, checking up on you, embarrassing you in public.
• Physical/sexual violence.
• Threats - shouting you down, threatening to kill or harm you.
• Breaking trust - lying to you, withholding information from you, breaking promises.
• Blaming their behaviour on poor childhood, ill health, alcohol or drug addiction is an abuser's way of avoiding personal responsibility for their behaviour.

How can SADA support families and victims of Domestic Abuse?

• Empowering victims of domestic abuse to make good life choices.
• Providing a supportive and safe environment for victims to report abuse.
• Implementing additional security in the home.
• Supporting referrals to other agencies and partners.
• Providing help with housing / tenancy issues, including SADA Safe Space Provision.
• Debt and benefits advice and guidance.
• Support around accessing legal advice.
• Regular support from the SADA Drop In sessions.
• Support with fleeing to a place of safety.
• Provision of You Me and Mum course, to help parents to support their children after experiencing the effects of Domestic Abuse.
• Support around living essentials. We supply SADA essential survivors Bags and SADA My Bear Bags to those fleeing.

The service is open to anyone, regardless of gender, class, age, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or lifestyle.

The service is also open to families as well as single victims of domestic abuse. Find out more about the SADA Domestic Abuse Service.

How to contact SADA

If you have been affected by domestic abuse, or believe that somebody you know is being abused, you can make a referral to the team.

Resource Pack

Our electronic resource pack is suitable for partners or professionals who would like to know more about how to support those who are currently experiencing domestic abuse.

The pack contains:

• a survivors handbook;
• a DASH risk assessment;
• safety planning guides; and
• all SADA referral forms for the Support Service, courses and Safe Spaces.

If you would like to be sent a pack, please email us.

The SADA team and their success