Domestic Abuse and the Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Accommodation and Support Service - Residents Survey

Overview

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to read this. Warwickshire County Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire are in the process of reviewing the Domestic Abuse Accommodation and Support Service. We are reaching out to as many Warwickshire residents as we can to understand people’s experiences of Domestic Abuse, and experiences of accessing support in Warwickshire.

The Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Service is provided by Refuge. The service includes: a helpline for victims-survivors and friends or family seeking information and advice, refuge accommodation and re-settlement support,1:1 support for victims-survivors, community drop-in sessions and group programmes for victims-survivors and a Sanctuary Scheme (home security). The service is open to anyone over the age of 16.

The purpose of our review is to establish whether residents in Warwickshire are aware of and know how to access the Domestic Abuse Service, to understand whether the service is meeting need and to gain an insight into the experiences that people have had with the service provided.

The survey will help us to improve the service that we provide, as well as understanding how we can increase awareness of the service.

We are keen to hear the views of people who have or are currently experiencing Domestic Abuse and the views of people who suspect or know that their friend / family member / colleague has or is currently experiencing Domestic Abuse.

What is Domestic Abuse?

The definition of domestic violence and abuse is:

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional.

Controlling behaviour
Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Coercive behaviour
Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.

If you are experiencing Domestic Abuse, you are not alone, please contact our Domestic Violence Service on 0800 408 1552.

For more information about the service please visit: https://www.refuge.org.uk/our-work/our-services/refuge-warwickshire-domestic-violence-service/

We want to assure you that your responses are completely anonymous unless you choose to leave your contact details.  Responses can otherwise only be identified by a reference number.