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Domestic abuse and the risk of homelessness

What is domestic abuse?

Behaviour of a person towards another person where they are each aged 16 or over and personally connected to each other and the behaviour is abusive. The behaviour can consist of a single incident or a course of conduct.

Personally connected includes:

  • intimate partners
  • ex-partners
  • family members or
  • individuals who share parental responsibility for a child.

There is no requirement for the victim and perpetrator to live in the same household. As part of this definition, children are explicitly recognised as victims if they see, hear, or otherwise experience the effects of the abuse.

Abusive behaviour includes:

  • physical or sexual
  • violent or threatening behaviour
  • psychological or emotional
  • controlling or coercive behaviour
  • economic

There are many organisations which can give you help and support about what you do next (please see details at the bottom of this page). One is the Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse helpline (ODAS) which offers free emotional and practical support to victims suffering domestic abuse.

ODAS can be contacted on 0800 731 0055. Contact with ODAS is free, confidential and can be accessed by anyone regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, or disability.

In an emergency contact the police by calling 999.

Can I get help to stay in my home?

If you wish to discuss legal protection for yourself (and your children) you should contact a solicitor or your local Citizens Advice.  (www.citizensadvice.org.uk)

Your legal options might include injunctions, security and sanctuary measures.

If you own your home, it may be worthwhile discussing appropriate options available to you with a solicitor.

Will the council help me if I have to leave my home due to domestic abuse?

If you are affected by domestic abuse or are at risk in your home, please contact the Housing Needs Team on 01235 422452. We will handle your query sympathetically and confidentially. We will ask questions about your circumstances to ensure you get advice and assistance appropriate to your individual situation. We will not contact the perpetrator as part of our enquiries.

If you have nowhere safe to stay, we will provide advice on how to find somewhere to live, and will create a housing plan of the options available to you. We will discuss whether you would be entitled to emergency accommodation.

We would usually advise you not to give up your tenancy until you have found alternative permanent accommodation or have taken specialist legal advice.

Moving to private rented accommodation

We have options available to help people access the private rented sector. These include help with deposits and sometimes help with the rent in advance. Property locations will be assessed as to their suitability and may not be in the area that you have lived previously. Security measures can be put in place to help you feel safe in your new home.

Moving to Social Housing (Housing Association) properties

You may be eligible to apply for properties on the housing register. For more information please contact us on 01235 422452. You may also be eligible to apply to join waiting lists for accommodation in other areas.

We operate a Choice Based Lettings schemes which provides a list of available accommodation. To apply online please go to: www.whitehorsehomechoice.org.uk.

Useful contacts

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24hrs) – 0808 2000 247

Police (non emergency) – 101 (emergency) – 999

Victim Support – 0808 168 9111

Kiran Asian Women’s Aid – 0208 558 1986

Men’s Advice Line – 0808 801 0327

GALOP (LGBT) – 0800 999 5428

Hourglass – (Victims over 65 years) 0808 808 8141

Childline – 0800 1111

Shelter – 0808 800 4444

Samaritans – 116 123

Community Legal Services Direct – 0845 345 4 345 www.clsdirect.org.uk

www.rightsofwomen.org.uk – 020 7251 6577

National Centre for Domestic Violence – 0844 8044 999 www.ncdv.org.uk

Sanctuary Scheme – this is a free service to enable you to safely remain in your property after your ex-partner has left. Please contact the council’s Community Safety Team communitysafety@southandvale.gov.uk – 01235 422 590