National Strategy
The Government definition of domestic violence is: 'Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality." This includes issues of concern to black and minority ethnic (BME) communities such as so called 'honour based violence', female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage.'
Domestic violence is unacceptable and tackling the issue is a priority for this government.
Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls
Strategic vision - Click here to view the government’s strategic vision
Action plan - On 8 March 2011, the government launched an action plan, including 88 actions to:
- prevent violence from happening by challenging the attitudes and behaviours which foster it and intervening early where possible to prevent it
- provide adequate levels of support where violence does occur
- work in partnership to obtain the best outcome for victims and their families
- take action to reduce the risk to women and girls who are victims of these crimes and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice
Click here to view the Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls Action Plan
Male victims of domestic and/or sexual violence fund 2011-13
The government is making available £225,000 of funding over two years available to organisations to support services focussing on male victims of domestic and sexual violence. The government recognises that men can be victims of these crimes, and takes this issue very seriously.
Application form - male victims of domestic and/or sexual violence fund
Guidance note - male victims of domestic violence and or/sexual violence
Forced Marriage
The Right to Choose: Multi-agency statutory guidance for dealing with forced marriage
Forced Marriage and Learning Disabilities: Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines
Help lines
- National helpline
(24 hrs)
0808 2000 247 - Oxfordshire domestic abuse helpline
0800 731 0055 - Police
(non emergency)
101 - Victim support
0845 450 3883 - Kiran Asian
women’s aid
0208 558 1986 - Men's advice line
0808 801 0327 - Broken Rainbow
(LGBT)
020 8539 9507 - Elder abuse
0808 808 8141 - Childline
0800 1111
