What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer. It is very common. In the vast majority of cases it is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men, but the inverse does occur.

Help is available!  Do not suffer alone.

Refuge – including the national free 24 hour domestic abuse helpline 0808 2000 247 or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk to access live chat. Has BSL interpreter service.

VISIT OUR SAFEGUARDING PAGES FOR SUPPORT ADVICE FROM SCHOOL

Safegurading pages

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
• Psychological and/or emotional abuse [2].
• Physical or sexual abuse.
• Financial or economic abuse (controlling your access to money)
• Harassment and stalking.
• Online or digital abuse

SDAT (Stopping Domestic Abuse Together)

SDAT is an initiative led by Derbyshire Police in conjunction with Social Services, Health Services, schools and other agencies, who work together to safeguard children and adults.

Domestic Abuse can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:

• Psychological
• Physical
• Sexual
• Financial
• Emotional

Children and young people witnessing domestic abuse

Witnessing domestic abuse is really distressing and scary and it causes serious harm to children. 

Children who witness domestic abuse can experience a wide range effects. They may:

• Become anxious and depressed
• Have difficulty sleeping or have nightmares
• Be easily startled, flinch or react disproportionately to loud noises
• Complain of physical symptoms such as tummy ache
• Start wetting the bed
• Have temper tantrums and display challenging behaviour at school
• Behave younger than they are
• Not want to go to school 
• Become aggressive towards others
• Have poor self-worth
• Self-harm
• Have difficulty forming positive relationships

They may feel:

• Guilty - because they think they have done something wrong
• Powerless - because they can't stop the violence
• Confused - because it doesn't make sense
• Angry - because it shouldn't be happening
• Sad - because it's a loss
• Afraid - because they may be hurt, they may lose someone they love, others may find out
• Alone - because they think it is only happening to them

What is SDAT?

SDAT is an early notification system to schools to quickly notify them of any incidents of domestic abuse where the Police have attended a household where children live.

This enables schools to understand changes in a child's behaviour, attitude or general presentation and to support children if needed.

Useful links (Click on the links below)

 • Refuge – including the national free 24 hour domestic abuse helpline 0808 2000 247 or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk to access live chat. Has BSL interpreter service

 • Men’s Advice Line - confidential help and support for men Helpline 0808 801 0327

 • Safe Lives - UK wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse

 • Domestic Abuse Act: Factsheet

 • NSPCC – protecting children from domestic abuse

 • Galop – LGBT+ anti-violence charity. Includes National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans+ Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 999 5428

 • Gov.uk – how to get help for domestic abuse