Domestic Violence

North West Leicestershire District Council has a major commitment to tackle domestic violence.

Domestic abuse is: "Physical, psychological, sexual or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family type relationship and forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour"

It also includes forced marriage and 'honour crimes'.

It is important to emphasise that although statistics show that domestic abuse is most commonly perpetrated by men against women, it can also be instigated by women against men. Abuse or violence may also take form in same sex, bi-sexual or transgender relationships and can also include children.

The Council works effectively in partnership with other agencies to support victims of domestic abuse. The Council is a member of the North West Leicestershire Domestic Abuse Forum which is attended by many partners such as the police and Womens Aid. Its purpose is to bring together different agencies involved in supporting victims to improve coordination and raise awareness.

It is the Council's belief that every person has a right to be safe from fear of abuse. We also believe that:

• Domestic violence is completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated;
• Violence in relationships is an abuse of power as well as likely to be a criminal offence;
• Anyone experiencing domestic violence should be supported and protected from further abuse;

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, it can happen in all kinds of relationships, regardless of age, race, sex, sexuality, disability, wealth, gender identity, HIV status and lifestyle.

Sanctuary Scheme

Our Sanctuary scheme is intended to provide security to women, children and men who may be experiencing domestic abuse. The scheme is designed to provide a speedy response through the installation of enhanced security measures such as replacement locks, window shock alarms and metal kicks plates to exterior doors and other relevant measures to vulnerable areas of a property in an attempt to prevent unwanted and/or forced entry. The additional security measures mean that some victims have the option of remaining in their own homes.

The scheme has been developed with the assistance and guidance of relevant representatives from local agencies such as Loughborough Women’s Aid, East Midlands Housing Association -Veronica House, North West Leicestershire Domestic Abuse Forum and Leicestershire Police alongside North West Leicestershire Housing Advice Team.

The scheme is available to all households within the district of North West Leicestershire who are suffering Domestic Abuse although certain qualifying criteria apply.

North West Leicestershire District Council’s Housing Advice team have been able to offer this scheme with the assistance of the Safer Communities team in securing additional funding from Leicestershire Police.

There are many agencies that deal with domestic violence, however, in an emergency call the Police on 999.
If you want confidential help and advice at other times call:

• Police (Ask for Victim Liaison Officer) 0116 222 2222
• Leicester Domestic Violence Helpline 0116 255 0004
• Women's Aid & Refuges 01509 237206
• Women's Aid National Helpline (24 hrs) 08457 023468
• Social Services 01530 275200
• Citizens Advice 0870 1202 402
• Victim Support 01530 830708
• Welfare Benefits Agency 01509 831000
• Domestic Violence Integrated Response Project 0116 255 0004
• Child Line 0800 1111
• NSPCC Help Line 0800 800 500
• Samaritans 0345 909090

Council tenants

Here is a link to the domestic violence policy Domestic Violence Policy (Word Document, 0.1 Mb) produced by the Council's Housing Division.