Nottinghamshire Healthcare is dedicating the month of November to raising awareness and education around Domestic Violence and Abuse. This will incorporate 16 Days of Activism from 25th November to 10th December around ending Gender-Based Violence.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence 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 who have been, intimate partners or family members,
regardless of gender or sexuality. This encompass but not limited to the
following types of abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, financial and
emotional.
Domestic violence also includes ‘Honour’-based
violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and is not limited to
a single gender or ethnic group.
Coercion and control is also a form of domestic violence which became a
criminal offence in December, 2015. This is an act or pattern of acts of
assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse used to harm,
punish or frighten the victim. Controlling behaviours 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.
The Trust provides training to staff on Domestic Violence and Abuse and
attending one of our training sessions will enable you to recognise indicators
of domestic abuse and equip you with tools to respond to them.
How We Can Spread Staff Awareness
Staff can attend a Domestic Violence and Abuse Awareness Training
session (9.15 am – 4.00pm) from the details below:
· Duncan MacMillan House, Mapperley on, 29th November or 12th December.
· Mike Harris Centre, Rampton Hospital on 25th November or 16th December.
It is particularly important that staff feel comfortable enough
within the workspace to disclose if they are experiencing domestic violence or
abuse.
How we Support Staff
One of the Trust Divisional Safeguarding Leads, Rosie Roosevelt,
has said that ‘staff shouldn’t be afraid to come forward.’
Rosie further stated: ‘its important staff have a safe environment
in the workplace to disclose if they are experiencing domestic violence or
abuse at home.’
The Trust provide guidance leaflets for managers and
employees, to support staff who have experienced domestic violence. For staff,
these can be found on the Trust Intranet, Connect, by searching ‘Domestic Violence’
on the ‘Staff Health and wellbeing’ page.
Rosie was also concerned that, in the workplace, ‘people may worry
their work record will be affected, so it is important for managers to provide
advice and support.’
This is an example of why it is important that all staff are aware
of the actions needed to support those who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Spreading information and awareness will help make the workplace a safe space for
people experiencing domestic violence to speak up.
If you feel you need help and support with
domestic violence, you can speak to your line manager, a member of staff
wearing a purple ribbon, a member of the safeguarding team, or a Human
Resources colleague.
Other Services You Can Contact:
Locally:
-
0808 800 0340 (24-hour Juno Women’s Aid –
covers all of Nottinghamshire
-
0115 960 5556 (Equation – support service for
males experiencing Domestic Violence and Abuse – covers all of Nottinghamshire)
-
0808 802 0028 (UAVA – covers all of
Leicestershire for anyone experiencing domestic violence and abuse
Nationally:
-
National Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
-
National LGBT DVA Helpline: 0800 999
5428
-
0808 2000 247 (24-hour National Domestic
Violence & Abuse Helpline
If
you are concerned about your own behaviour towards your partner, or a loved
one, call Respect: 0808 802 4040, or visit: www.respectphoneline.org.uk.
Look out for these cards in your workplace:
Domestic Abuse Stalking and Harassment, Honour Based Violence Risk
Identification Checklist (DASH Ric) training is available from the Trust
Safeguarding team. If you feel your team would benefit from this please email Julie.hitchen@nottshc.nhs.uk
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