Domestic violence contacts for support and information
Leeds Women’s Aid
Support and safe housing for women with or without children.
Telephone: 0113 246 0401 or textphone: 0113 380 4800.
Sahara
Support and safe accommodation for black women.
Telephone: 0113 245 8489 or textphone: 0113 234 3094.
HALT (Help, Advice and the Law Team)
Legal advice and support for women through the court system.
Telephone/Textphone: 0113 243 2632
Jewish Women’s Aid
Support and information for Jewish women experiencing domestic violence.
Telephone: 0800 591203
Behind Closed Doors
Support for women experiencing violence living in West-North-West Leeds.
Telephone: 0800 328 2430
MALE (Men’s Advice Line and Enquiries)
Free phone line offering emotional and practical support as well as sign posting to local services for men experiencing domestic violence.
Telephone: 0808 801 0327
Broken Rainbow
Support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experiencing domestic violence.
Telephone: 08452 604 460
STOP
Works with perpetrators of domestic violence to address abusive behaviour.
Telephone: 0113 2446007
Respect
National phone line for perpetrators of domestic violence and those at risk.
Telephone: 0845 122 8609
National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Anyone in immediate danger should call the police on 999
Key facts and statistics
2 women a week are killed by a partner or ex-partner, (Home Office, 2006)
- 45% of all female homicide victims were killed by a current or ex-partner (Home Office, 2006)
- Eighty percent of all victims of domestic violence were women in 2005/06 (Home Office, 2006)
- One in four women experience domestic violence over their lifetime. (Council of Europe, 2002)
- Domestic violence costs to services in Leeds is in excess of £32 million (Leeds Inter-Agency Project, 2005)
Impact of domestic violence on women
- Physical and/or sexual abuse can result in short term, long term or permanent damage.
- Psychological abuse can result in low motivation, low confidence, low self-esteem, confusion, disturbed patterns of eating and sleeping, depression, substance dependency, self-harm and suicide
- The loss or separation from family, children and friends can leave women isolated and vulnerable. The loss of or constant changing of jobs can result in financial difficulties as well as limited access to employment, training and educational opportunities
Impact of domestic violence on children
The fear and stress that children living with domestic violence feel will affect them in various ways:
- Domestic violence often begins or gets worse during pregnancy resulting in injury or death to the foetus
- Domestic violence can have impact on their health and development.
- Long term effects may include self blame, low confidence and self-esteem, vulnerability and social isolation
Men as victims of domestic violence
It is now widely recognised that men also experience violence and abuse from female partners. Like women, men find it difficult to disclose or report incidents and may live with the abuse for many years.
Domestic violence in same sex relationships
There is little research on domestic violence in same sex relationships. Feedback from service providers indicates that lesbians and gay men do experience domestic violence and may face barriers when seeking help. This can range from disbelief and homophobic attitudes to indirect and direct exclusion.
The Leeds Domestic Violence Strategy promotes the principle that, any good practice developed to respond to domestic violence applies equally to women, men and same sex couples.