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Domestic Violence Poster
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Although you may feel alone, you are not. The police and many other agencies can help and support you through domestic violence but only you can take the first vital step. You have a right to live free from fear and violence. It's important to break the silence and speak up as many abusers rely on your silence to continue the abuse. Ignoring domestic violence could have serious long-term effects for you and your children.

What is Domestic Violence?

Hertfordshire Constabulary defines Domestic violence as any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults, aged 18 and over, who are or who have been intimate partners* or family members*, regardless of gender and sexuality.

Other organisations offering help and support

Police Domestic Violence Officers
0845 33 00 222
Your local domestic violence officer can be contacted on . The operator will be able to put you in touch with your local officer. If it is an emergency always dial 999.

Hertfordshire Domestic Violence/Abuse Line
08 088 088 088
An information and advice line.

Victim Support
0845 30 30 900
A helpline and website which gives information and support to victims of crime, whether or not they have reported the crime to the police.

NSPCC
0808 800 5000
The NSPCC specisalises in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children.

Childline
0800 11 11
A helpline and website providing counsellors for children and young people to talk to.

Man2Man
0208 698 9649
A helpline for male victims of domestic violence.

Broken Rainbow
08452 60 44 60
A helpline and website for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who are experiencing domestic violence.
or
0300 999 LGBT (5428)
This will allow callers using mobiles – often the safest way LGBT can contact us when they need to talk through domestic violence issues - to speak to us at a cheaper more transparent rate.

Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone.

Elder Abuse
080 8808 8141
Elder Abuse aims to prevent abuse in old age by raising awareness and promoting research.

Jewish Women's Aid
0800 59 12 03
A counselling and outreach service which helps Jewish women and their children escape domestic violence. It also provides the only kosher refuge in Europe.

Solas Anois
0208 664 6289
Providing refuge accommodation, advice and information for Irish women and Irish travelling women and their children escaping domestic violence.

Muslim Community Helpline
020 8904 8193
Provides a confidential listening service and referrals to Islamic consultants, as well as practical help and information.

The Sunflower Centres
01923 215180 (Watford)
01442 270679 (Hemel Hempstead)
A one stop shop providing advice and help for victims of domestic violence. There are centres in Hemel Hempstead and Watford.

You can also speak to a police officer at any time of day of night about domestic violence by calling our non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222.

Remember, if it’s an emergency ALWAYS dial 999

Although you may feel alone, you are not. The police and many other agencies can help and support you through domestic violence but only you can take the first vital step.

You have a right to live free from fear and violence. It's important to break the silence and speak up as many abusers rely on your silence to continue the abuse. Ignoring domestic violence could have serious long-term effects for you and your children.

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Is domestic violence a crime?

Domestic violence is a serious crime and, in partnership with other agencies, we are trying to encourage more people to report it.

We are also trying to improve the quality of the service we provide to victims in order for them to get the right help and support. We want to reduce repeat victimisation and protect victims and children involved in domestic violence.

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Who is affected by domestic violence?

A quarter of all violent crime reported to the police is domestic violence. However, there is still a large amount of this type of crime that is not reported to the police. Although the vast majority of victims are women, many men, people living within gay and lesbian relationships, elderly people and children may also suffer domestic violence.

Domestic violence can occur regardless of the victim's class, sex, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, level of intelligence or lifestyle and is rarely a one-off event. Physical and sexual abuse tends to increase in frequency and severity overtime, sometimes only ending when one person actually kills the other. National statistics are: - Domestic Violence can affect as many as one in four women and one in six men in their lifetime - Domestic Violence has more repeat victims than any other crime.

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Are you a child who is affected by domestic violence?

If you are a child or young person and you are worried that domestic violence is happening in your family there are many things you can do to get help or discuss what is happening.

Remember, if it’s an emergency ALWAYS dial 999

There are also some helplines which you could call.

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Am I a victim?

Admitting to yourself and others that you are experiencing domestic violence may seem very difficult but it is an important step towards getting help for yourself and your children. Its important to accept that you are not to blame and to seek help and support.

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Will my children be taken away?

Some abusers threaten that if their partner leaves or tells anyone about the violence, their children will be taken away from them. Social Services will not take your children away for this reason. They are there to support you and your children.

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Who can report an incident of domestic violence?

Anybody can report domestic violence whether they are directly involved or not. This includes a neighbour, child or a relative as well as a victim. You can report it to police or a third party.

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Domestic Violence Safety Booklet

Hertfordshire Constabulary has produced a booklet which offers help and advice to those experiencing domestic violence.

Click here to download the booklet.
Click here to download this booklet in Urdu.
Click here to download this booklet in Bengali.
Click here to download this booklet in Polish.



You will need Adobe Acrobat reader. Click here to access the free download

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Can anyone trace that I have visited these web pages?

If someone else has access to your computer it is possible that some or all of these web pages will be in a "history" area of web pages visited on your computer.

Click here to find out how to clear areas of your computer "history" of web pages you have visited.

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Help obtaining an injunction?

The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) is a registered charity that is well established and therefore tried and tested as being effective in the obtaining of emergency civil remedies for victims of domestic abuse.
They are able to offer this service at no charge to victims, as they utilise a network of solicitors and their agents across the County.
This service is immediately available to all victims and allows them to start making choices about their future increasing their safety and that of their families.
The NCDV is available 24/7 on 08709 220704.

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What is a Sunflower Centre and how can it help?

The Sunflower Centre are to protect, empower and support those affected by Domestic Violence and Race Hate Crime under one roof, by working in Partnership to deliver a tailor made and individual service, to ensure the safety of the family and to reduce repeat victimisation. There are currently two centres one in Watford telephone number 01923 215180 and one in Hemel Hempstead telephone number 01442 270679, with another Centre opening soon in Cheshunt. They also have a website which will give you more information www.sunflowerherts.org

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What is an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)?

The main purpose of an IDVA is to address the safety of victims at high risk of harm, to secure their safety and the safety of their children. They discuss a range of suitable options and develop a safety plan and are proactive to implement the plans which address immediate safety. These plans could be remedies available through the criminal and civil courts, housing options and services through other organisations. IDVA's work with victims in the short to medium term to put them on the path to long-term safety.