Are you an SSJ service user experiencing domestic abuse?
If you are affected by, or experiencing domestic abuse, please seek help from SSJ or a DA specialist services. SSJ has policies and processes to support service users and residents who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. SSJ can provide information, advice, advocacy, safety planning, and access to specialist services.
You can also ask to speak to a Domestic Abuse Lead within our services; this is someone who is a staff member trained to deal with domestic abuse cases.
If you witness or hear an incident of domestic abuse, please call 999 and ask for the police. Please do not intervene directly, as this may increase risk to all parties.
If you suspect domestic abuse in an SSJ property, please do the following:
For out of hours support call the
Operational Security Team on – 023 8063 2544
During the day contact support staff or
Housing Management Team on – 0800 987 4150
and report your concerns.
- If you are friends or neighbours with the survivor, offer support and empathy, but respect their confidentiality and choices. Please do not pressure them to leave or confront the perpetrator, as this may make the situation worse.
- If you believe yourself to be a perpetrator of domestic abuse, recognise that this behaviour is unacceptable and harmful. Please seek help from SSJ or a specialist service to change this behaviour and reduce the risk of harm to yourself and others.
Our Approach to Tackling Domestic Abuse
SSJ is more than just a charity that provides housing and support services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, we are also a champion for people who are suffering from domestic abuse, which is a major cause and consequence of homelessness. Domestic abuse is not just physical violence, but any form of coercion or control that one person uses over another in an intimate or family relationship. It can happen to anyone, regardless of their gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, or disability.
SSJ has clear policies and processes to help service users, residents and staff who are facing or have faced domestic abuse. The policies explain how SSJ will train and equip its staff to deal with reports of domestic abuse in a way that is sensitive, respectful, and supportive. The policies also outline what SSJ will do if it suspects that a service user or resident may be a perpetrator.
The policies describe the actions that SSJ will take to prevent domestic abuse, support victims and survivors, pursue perpetrators, and build a stronger system. The policies and processes follow the government’s Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan, which aims to reduce the number of domestic abuse cases and deaths and provide better support for victims and survivors. Some of the actions that SSJ will take include:
- Educating staff, service users, residents, and partners about domestic abuse and how to recognise and respond to it.
- Providing safe and suitable housing for service users and residents who need to escape or avoid domestic abuse.
- Offering personalised and trauma informed support to service users and residents who are affected by domestic abuse, including access to specialist services, advocacy, counselling, legal advice, and safety planning.
- Working with perpetrators to challenge their behaviour and reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others.
- Collaborating with local authorities, police, health services, and other agencies to share information, coordinate responses, and improve outcomes for service users and residents who are affected by domestic abuse.
SSJ believes that everyone deserves to live without fear of violence or abuse. By implementing these policies and processes, SSJ hopes to create a safe space for service users and residents who are going through or recovering from domestic abuse, while sending out a strong message that domestic abuse is not tolerated.
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Click HERE to view the SERVICE USER AND RESIDENT DOMESTIC ABUSE POLICY
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Click HERE to view Guide to Responding to Service Users or Residents Experiencing Domestic Abuse
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LOCAL AND NATIONAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE
Aurora New Dawn – Portsmouth– 023 9247 9254
Stop! Domestic Abuse – Portsmouth – 023 92065494
Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Service:
Women 023 9266 9511/ Men 023 9266 9516
Yellow Door – Southampton – 023 8063 6313
PIPPA – Southampton – 023 80917917
Hampshire Domestic Abuse Service – 0330 165112
Men’s Advice Line – 0808 801 0327
National LGBT & Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428
Hampton Trust – 023 8000 1061
National Stalking Helpline – 0808 802 0300
Refuge www.refuge.org.uk Refuge is one of the largest single providers of specialist accommodation and services to women and children escaping domestic violence, supporting over 1,000 women and children every day.
Women’s Aid www.womensaid.org.uk Women’s Aid is the national domestic abuse charity that helps up to 250,000 women and children every year. They work to end violence against women and children and support over 500 domestic and sexual
violence services across the country.
Respect www.respect.org.uk Respect is the UK association for professionals working with domestic violence perpetrators, male survivors and associated support services. The organisation’s key aim is to increase the safety of those experiencing domestic
violence through promoting effective interventions with perpetrators.
GALOP www.galop.org.uk Galop provides support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experiencing domestic abuse.
Men’s Advice Line www.mensadviceline.org.uk The Men’s Advice Line offers practical advice, information and support to male victims of domestic abuse as well as concerned friends and families>
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SMART PHONE APPS
Bright Sky App Bright Sky is a free to download mobile app providing support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know. The app is also available to use in Polish, Punjabi and Urdu.
MyNARA App MyNARA (My Narcissistic Abuse Recovery App) is a safe, professionally-guided domestic abuse recovery app for those who are suffering in a romantic relationship with a narcissist.
Hollie Guard App Hollie Guard is a smartphone app that provides enhanced levels of protection and is recommended by the Police.
“Help protect yourself, a friend or a family member with Hollie Guard. Every 5 seconds the platform will update your precise location based on your speed and movement
activity to identify where you are once an alert has been raised. Hollie Guard is a personal alarm, deterrent, evidence catcher and more. Providing a lot more functionality than a regular keyring alarm for absolutely anyone who has safety in mind.
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