Domestic abuse
Leave this pageIf you are being abused by a partner, ex-partner or family member you can get free and confidential advice from Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service.
Domestic abuse is a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviour. Your partner, ex-partner or family member may want to control every aspect of your life, from where you go, who you see and what you spend. It affects people of any gender, age, religious belief, sexual orientation, race and disability.
The Government defines domestic abuse as "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"
Children and domestic abuse
It is emotionally damaging for children to live in a home where there is domestic abuse. People experiencing domestic abuse often worry what will happen to their children if they disclose it to someone. You will be supported to ensure that they are protected from the effects. There is help for you and your children to be safe and reduce the risk. Read more on The Hideout website.
Clare's Law - Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme
Clare’s Law enables members of the public to have a “Right to ask” police if their current partner poses a risk to them in terms of their history of domestic abuse.
The scheme also enables professionals to raise a “Right to know” request through the police. It applies where they feel someone may be at risk of domestic abuse and they have some reasonable concern or knowledge about the individual’s past.
A right to ask can also be made by a third person, for example a parent, relative or friend who is concerned. In these cases if a disclosure is to be made, it will only be made to the potential victim of abuse.
For more information visit Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.
Online safety when viewing this site
If someone you know is abusing you, you may not want them to know that you have been looking at this site. If that person can use the same computer as you, it is possible for them to see how you've been using the internet.
The only certain way to prevent someone else finding out what web pages you have been viewing is to use a computer which they do not have access to; this could be at a local library, a friend's house, or an internet cafe.
Using your home computer safely
If you are worried that someone might access your computer to see what you have been viewing online, please have a look at some tips on being safe online.