Homelessness

Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer.

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to:

• coercive control (a patter of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence). Find out more at Women's Aid: Coercive control.
• psychological and / or emotional abuse.
• physical or sexual abuse.
• financial abuse. Find out more at Women's Aid: Financial abuse.
• harassment and stalking. Find out more at Women's Aid: Stalking and harassment.
• online or digital abuse. Find out more at Women's Aid: Online and digital abuse.

If you are suffering from domestic abuse and live in the South Tyneside area you can:

• phone 999 and ask for the police if you are in immediate danger of violence.
• speak to someone in the Police Community Support Unit (CSU) for advice on legal solutions. Police non-emergencies: 101.
• apply to the courts for an occupation order to exclude the abuser from your home, a non-molestation order restraining the abuser from causing or threatening violence to you or a member of your household, or an injunction against the abuser to keep them away from you and your home if you want to stay in your home.
• contact South Tyneside's Women's Aid on 0191 454 8257, they can arrange temporary accommodation, advice and support.
• contact Impact Family Services on 0191 456 7577.
• contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (this is a 24-hour service).
• contact the Housing Options Service on 0800 141 2645 (freephone) if you need emergency housing.

For more information on domestic abuse, inlcuding a list of services that can offer you support and advice see South Tyneside Council: Domestic violence.