Domestic violence and abuse

If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence and abuse you can get free and confidential help from a number of organisations in Coventry. In an emergency call the police on 999.

What is domestic violence and abuse?

Domestic violence and abuse affects many people, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, lifestyle etc. It includes a variety of behaviours such as physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse and threatening behaviour.

Domestic violence and abuse is never acceptable and never deserved, everyone has the right to a life without violence or abuse.

Who can help?

Local organisations can provide confidential help and support.

If you need somewhere safe to stay or would like to talk to someone in confidence about your situation, the following local specialist agencies will listen and try to help.

If an agency is not able to advise you about a particular issue they will help you find someone who can.

Women's Aid – Coventry Haven

Services managed and delivered by women for women only
Range of accommodation and secure addresses around the city
24 hours access 365 day per year
Access to out of area refuge
Listening Post service providing telephone and face to face advice and support; counselling and emergency assistance; access to solicitors; support in court; injunctions

Telephone: 024 7644 4077
Email: coventryhaven@btconnect.com

Women's Aid – Panahghar

A confidential women only organisation for Asian women and their children
Workers who speak various Asian languages
Providing refuges, outreach into the community and telephone helpline

Telephone: 024 7622 8952
Email: admin@safehouse.org.uk

Valley House

Providing supported accommodation
24 hours staffing on site and emergency out of hours direct access
Integrated with children's; training and counselling services
Support tailored to each individual's needs

Telephone: 024 7626 6280 and out of hours: 024 7626 6270/90
Freephone: 0800 328 9084
Email: info@valleyhouseassociation.org

Visual Evidence for Victims Service (VEV)

This service will take photographic evidence of your injuries and/or damage to your property if you are not yet ready to report to the police.
These photographs can then be stored and used as evidence at a later date if you wish
This evidence can be used for: supporting criminal injuries compensation claims, reporting crime to the Police, civil proceedings.
There are a number of agencies in Coventry providing this VEV Service including:
Victim Support, Tel: 024 7625 6956
Coventry Haven, Tel: 024 7644 4077

Staying Put Project

Providing free practical and emotional support if you have experienced domestic violence and abuse and wish to stay in your own home safely
Project works with other specialist agencies to arrange for increased security to be installed in your home
Provides other support that is needed, for example regarding tenancy rights, injunctions, childcare, benefits or counselling

Tel: 024 7658 4038

Police Domestic Abuse Officers

Domestic Abuse Officers are specially trained police, they will:

Respond sensitively and give you guidance
Advise you during an investigation and during prosecution processes
Signpost you to specialist agencies

Little Park Street – Tel: 024 7653 9445
Chase Avenue – Tel: 024 7653 9446
Stoney Stanton Road – Tel: 024 7653 9447

Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

The IDVA provides advice and support to victims of domestic abuse whose abusers are being prosecuted for offences against them. The IDVA works independently from the police and the courts and will work in the victims best interests throughout the process.

Services provided include:

Assistance in managing risk and planning for safety.
Information and support throughout the Criminal Justice System.
Support for victims of domestic abuse at court.
Signposting to legal, counselling, security and other support services."

Tel: 024 7644 4077
Mobile: 0789 407 1547
Email: courtliaison@btconnect.com

Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA)

The ISVA provides professional and emotional support to the victim's of sexual violence (and their families). Support is available for children (from 11 years old), women and men. If the victim of sexual violence chooses to report to the police, the ISVA will provide advocacy and support throughout the victim's journey in the criminal justice system.

Services provided include:

Emotional and practical support, including at the point of crisis (i.e. in the immediate aftermath of an attack)
Support for victims with any advocacy needs with other agencies (e.g. legal services, criminal justice agencies, housing services)
Signposting and fast-track referral onto other agencies as appropriate (e.g. counselling services, sexual health services)

Tel: 024 7627 7772
E mail: isva@crasac.org.uk

Coventry Victim Support

Practical and emotional support to victims of any crime and their families
Assistance with claims for criminal injuries compensation
Offer the Visual Evidence for Victims service (see below)

Tel: 024 7625 6956 and out of hours: 0845 303 0900
Email: vss.cov@btinternet.com
Web: www.victimsupport.org.uk

Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC)

Available to women and girls over 11 years who have experienced sexual violence whether recently or at any time in their lives.
The service is free and confidential.

Tel: 024 7627 7777
Email: crasac@btconnect.com

Relate

Offers relationship counselling for both couples and individuals.
Provide an experienced specialist domestic violence and abuse team offering counselling, women's advocacy service, male perpetrator programmes and women's safety work.

Tel: 024 7622 5863
Email: info@relatecoventry.org

Relate – 'Time for You'

Relate provides a 'Time for You' service offering counselling and therapeutic group-work for children and young people (5-25) experiencing conflict or change in their family relationships, including domestic abuse, separation/divorce and bereavement.

Tel: 024 7622 5999
Email: info@relatecoventry.org

Useful National Contacts

Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline
Run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge. A telephone service giving support, help and information.

Tel: 0808 2000 247

The Hideout (Women's Aid)

The Hideout is a place for children and young people to learn that domestic violence is not okay, that it is not their fault and that they are not alone. Further help and support is available.

Web: www.thehideout.org.uk

Childline

24 hour Freephone confidential helpline for children and young people.

Tel: 0800 1111
Email: www.childline.org.uk

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline

24 hour helpline for anyone concerned about the welfare of a child.

Tel: 0808 800 5000
Email: www.nspcc.org.uk

Broken Rainbow

Confidential support and information helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who experience domestic violence.

Tel: 0845 260 4460
Email: mail@broken-rainbow.org.uk
Web: www.broken-rainbow.org.uk

Survivors of Lesbian Abuse (SOLA)

Provides support to women who have experienced physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse by a female partner.
Languages spoken: Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Somali, German

Tel: 020 7328 7389

Men's Advice Line and Enquires (MALE)

Provides advice and support for male victims.

Tel: 0808 801 0327 (Freephone)
Web: www.mensadviceline.org.uk

Apna Ghar

Helpline for Asian women experiencing domestic violence.
Languages spoken include: Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujerati, Tamil and Urdu

Tel: 0845 451 2547

Chinese Information and Advice Centre (CIAC)

Advice on domestic violence, immigration and general family issues.

DV Helpline: 020 7462 1281

Jewish Women's Aid

All refuge facilities and services are Kosher and Shabbat observant.
Telephone advice and support is also available

Tel: 0800 59 1203
Email: info@jwa.org.uk

Respect

Service for men who are looking for advice on how to stop their abusive or violent behaviour towards their partners.
A phone interpreting service is available to those who don't speak English.

Tel: 0845 122 8609
Email: info@respect.uk.net
Web: www.respect.uk.net

Contact Details

Community Safety Team
Room 214, 2nd Floor, Broadgate House
Broadgate
Coventry
CV1 1FS
Office: 024 7683 3424