Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse. It may take many forms including, psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional. Victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group.
There are many services across Gravesham and Kent that are there to support victims of domestic abuse.
Support
In an emergency always call Kent Police on 999.
- Our Safe Spaces scheme
- Domestic abuse support for Kent and Medway - Find support across Kent
- National domestic abuse helpline - visit their website or call 0808 2000 247
- Gallop - They support LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence. You can visit their website or call 0800 999 5428
- Man Kind - For male victims of domestic abuse you can visit Man Kind's website or call 01823 334244
- Victim support - visit their website or call 08081 689111
- Your housing association or landlord
Remember, numbers will show up on an itemised phone bill, if this could put the victim in any danger, you may prefer to use a public or agency phone instead.
Temporary accommodation
If you, or someone you know is at risk of being homeless because of domestic abuse visit our fleeing domestic abuse page for more information on support that may be available to you.
Campaigns
There are plenty of ways to get involved, raise awareness and prevent things from happening.
Training
Training and free courses are available for businesses and individuals from the following organisations.
- Certain Curtain Theatre - Professional plays that bring a unique approach to engaging people in sensitive issues.
- Women's Aid - Qualifications designed to develop and sharpen the professional skills of advocates who work in many different roles in the field of domestic abuse.
- Ava Project - A range of courses offered to suit different audiences.
- IDVAS - Domestic abuse training for employers.
- Right of Women - helping women through the law - High quality, practical training courses for practitioners working with women on key areas of law affecting women.
Free courses
- Womens aid - Free E-Learning Resources.
- Free courses in England - Free online domestic abuse course will help you understand the signs and risk factors associated with domestic abuse.
Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Services
Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS), is a collaborative commission fo area based teams across Kent. The funding partners are KCC Adult Social Care, Public Health, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and 9 District / Borough Councils (Thanet, Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Dover, Gravesham, Maidstone, Folkestone and Hythe, and Swale).
KIDAS aims to deliver a holistic, flexible model of support to those experiencing domestic abuse.
Focussing on early intervention and maintaining independence for survivors and their families, keeping people safe. They want to reduce the impact of domestic abuse on families and communities. The service is open to residents of Kent aged 16 and over, and their families, or those moving to Kent to flee violence and abuse. The service is free at the point of access.
The KIDAS contract includes:
- a single, county wide referral point and triage process known as the Referral, Assessment and Triage (RAT) Service delivered by Victim Support
- the core community contract which is delivered by three lead providers; Oasis in East Kent (Thanet and Dover), Clarion in South Kent (Folkestone and Hythe, Ashford and Canterbury) and North Kent (Swale, Maidstone, Dartford and Gravesham) and Lookahead in West Kent (Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling and Sevenoaks). Each provider delivers services and subcontracts to a Delivery Network of providers
- a Training, Education and Awareness (TEA) Service, which is currently delivered by all three lead providers.
Information and support available from Domestic Abuse Services.