helping those affected by domestic abuse

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Directory of services

What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is defined by the Cambridge & South Cambridgeshire Domestic Violence Forum as follows:

"Domestic violence is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (physical, psychological, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.
(Home Office, 2005)

It can also include violence perpetrated by a son, daughter or any other person who has a close or blood relationship with the victim and be violence inflicted on, or witnessed by children."

Domestic abuse is a crime and you have the right to access support and protection from the agencies listed in this directory who are working together to 'challenge domestic abuse'. Domestic abuse is also a serious social problem that has a huge economic cost, estimated at £23 billion each year in the UK*. Research findings calculate the costs as the time lost at work through injuries and ill health due to domestic abuse and the amount of time each agency spends responding to domestic
abuse. It therefore affects all of us. Domestic abuse is everyone's responsibility.

* Walby, S. (2004). The Cost of Domestic Violence. Women & Equality Unit, Office of National Statistics.

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Why should I tell anyone?
Domestic abuse is often 'shrouded in secrecy'. Victims are often reluctant to report incidents of domestic abuse for many reasons. National research shows that most people have never told anyone about the worst abuse they have suffered. Victims often feel that they won't be taken seriously, or that they are partly to blame themselves. Others may feel scared that the violence will get worse if their partner finds out they have reported it.

Perpetrators rely on their victims keeping the abusive behaviour a secret as this enables them to continue to misuse their power and control. Domestic abuse is not your fault. New legislation and new initiatives being developed in your area are there to protect victims from domestic abuse and most organisations, including the police, take domestic abuse very seriously. Many of the organisations listed in this directory employ people who specialise in dealing with domestic abuse who are sensitive and supportive, skilled in risk assessment and safety planning. They will help you to work out the best ways for you and any children to remain safe and will give you information about the options available to you, so you feel in control and able to make the decisions that are right for you.

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How does this directory work?
There are a huge number of organisations that can help you. So that you don't get overwhelmed, we have arranged them into sections that can help you with specific issues. There is a short description at the beginning of each section explaining the type of support on offer. In each section, you will find an alphabetical list of organisations that can help you with particular problems. Details include the phone number, website, postal address and email address, together with a description of how that organisation can help you. In some cases organisations do not have an email address or website, so you may only find a postal address and telephone number listed. Some organisations are listed in more than one section.
We have also listed useful websites within each section.

You can download the directory in full or section:

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For further copies of this directory and to notify the publisher of any changes to the content, contact:

Partnership Support Officer
Community Safety,
South Cambridgeshire Hall,
Cambourne Business Park
Cambourne
Cambridge, CB23 6EA
t: (01954) 713367

Disclaimer of Liability
South Cambridgeshire District Council endeavours to ensure that the information contained within this directory is correct but does not accept any liability for error or omission howsoever causes and whether by the negligence or omissions of South Cambridgeshire District Council or otherwise. Information, editorial, advertising, products and services provided by South Cambridgeshire District Council are provided on the basis that South Cambridgeshire District Council disclaims all warranties whether express or implied. Neither South Cambridgeshire District Council nor the suppliers of information shall be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss of business profits or special damages. South Cambridgeshire District Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.