What is abuse?
Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional or financial. It can happen to anyone, although those more likely to be at risk include children, people with disabilities, vulnerable adults and older people.
It isn’t always obvious; it can be difficult to recognise and sometimes daunting to raise concerns about. At Soha, we have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who works with our Deputy Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs) who deal with all safeguarding concerns in line with our safeguarding and domestic abuse policies.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse can affect men, women and children in any kind of relationship. It can include:
- Physical abuseActions including but not limited to hitting, kicking, shoving, restraining and hair pulling
- Sexual abuse Actions including but not limited to rape, refusal to practice safe sex, threats
- Financial abuse Actions including but not limited to controlling money and bank accounts, insisting on controlling expenditure, running up debts in your name
- Psychological and emotional abuse Actions including but not limited to stopping you having contact with family and friends, putting you down, not allowing you out on your own, threatening to harm children/pets/family, telling you you’re stupid/you won’t find anyone else/no-one will believe you.
Our Communities team are proud to work with the charity Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse to raise awareness of what domestic abuse is, and support those seeking safety from it. The Soha neighbourhood team can and will help you – read this news article about a resident who gave their permission to publish their journey to a fresh start.
Seeking help is a step to end the abuse and start to live your life without fear. The Reducing the Risk website has useful information pages, and a list of numbers to call if you are in need of help: Need Help Now – Reducing the Risk.
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Reporting abuse
If you are being abused, or you think that a child or vulnerable adult is experiencing abuse, don’t ignore it.
- If someone’s life is in danger, call 999 now
- If the situation isn’t an emergency
- tell your local District Council‘s safeguarding team
- tell your Soha neighbourhood team
- neighbourhoodteam@soha.co.uk
- 0800 014 15 45 (Freephone)
Read here to find out more:
