Supporting vulnerable residents
Domestic abuse
Be safe - be aware
Be safe - please be aware that it is possible for someone to find out what websites you have been visiting by looking through your internet history. You can find out how to clear the history on your computer to make it safer to browse the internet by visiting the reducing the risk website .
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviour. Your partner, ex-partner or family member may want to control every aspect of your life from where you go, who you see and what you spend. It affects all types of gender, age, religious belief, sexual orientation, race and disability.
Definition
The government defines domestic violence as "Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality".
Support and advice
Asking for support and advice is often a very difficult thing to do if you are feeling isolated or low in yourself. You may not even feel that you deserve to have support.
It is important to know that there are services out there that can provide advice at the right level for you, your children, family and friends.
Often the first step to breaking the cycle of abuse is sharing your problem with another person whether that is through a helpline, outreach worker or a support group
One in ten lives are being affected by domestic abuse; if that includes you or someone you know, get help and support by visiting the Oxfordshire reducing the risk website . If you would like to speak to someone in confidence, you can call Oxfordshire domestic abuse helpline on 0800 731 0055.
There is also a national helpline which operates 24 hours a day, just dial 0808 2000 247.
Mears Home Improvement Services
The South and Vale Community Safety Partnership fund a small repairs scheme for elderly and vulnerable residents to help prevent repeat incidents of domestic burglary. For further information, visit the Mears Home Improvement website or call 01491 823895.
Hate crime
The Home Office definition of a hate crime is "any incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate."
Hate crime can be motivated due to an offender’s hatred of someone based on their:
- race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins
- religion
- gender or gender identity
- sexual orientation
- disability
Hate crime can take many forms including physical assault, offensive graffiti, verbal abuse, offensive literature, damage to property and abusive gestures,
It is really important for people to report hate crimes – victims have a right to be protected and the information provided will help the police to arrest offenders.
Stop Hate UK offer independent and confidential Hate Crime reporting services in South Oxfordshire. For anonymous independent support, get in touch by:
Phone: 0800 138 1625
For more ways to report to Stop Hate UK please visit their website .
Alternatively call Thames Valley Police on 999 (in an emergency) or 101 (their non emergency number).
You can also report:
- by contacting our community safety team
Please note that all information provided will be treated confidentially.
Other useful contacts:
Last reviewed: 03 - 04 - 2013