Public Protection Investigation Unit (PPIU)

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What to do if you are suffering/affected by domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse will not end until someone speaks out - either the victim themselves or a relative, friend or neighbour.

Tell a family member, friend or neighbour

Are there friends or neighbours you could tell about the abuse?

Ask them to call the police if they hear angry or violent noises. Ensure you have a support system in place - family, friends and professionals (such as your doctor, solicitor, the Citizen's Advice Bureau, Housing or Victim Support) who can assist you.

Your abuser may try to keep you away from people who love and care for you. This is a way of making you more dependent on them.

Phone numbers

Write down the contact details of friends, family or colleagues you trust or professional organisations that offer help and keep the numbers in a safe place.

Plan how to get to a phone, from which your call cannot be traced by your abuser, for example use a payphone to avoid the number showing on your bill.

Have a code word

Have a pre-arranged keyword or signal, which you can use on the phone to let family, friends or a neighbour know you are in danger and need help.

Teach family how to get help

If you have family, teach them how to dial 999 to ask for the police. Make up a code word you can use when you need help. Also encourage them to keep themselves safe by finding places to hide in the house or running to a neighbour's house.

Safer places in the home
Think about safer places in your home where there are no weapons. If you feel abuse is going to happen try to get your abuser into one of these safer places.
How could you get out safely?

Even if you do not actually plan to leave the home, think about how you could do it and where you could go. Practice ways of getting out by doing things that get you out of the house - taking out the rubbish, walking the dog, going to the shop.

Keep a packed bag in a safe hiding place - perhaps at a trusted neighbour's house. The bag should include all your essentials such as:

  • Clothes
  • Toiletries
  • Medication
  • Form of identification
  • Family benefits books and birth certificates 
  • Favourite toys 
  • List of phone numbers 
  • Money for phone calls and a bus or taxi journey 
  • Keys
  • Chequebook
Safety for pets
In some cases, family pets can be used to blackmail you into returning to the family home as threats could be made against their safety, so make arrangements for a safe place where your pets can be cared for.
What to do if an argument starts

Get out of danger if you can and go straight to a safe place. If this is not possible, try to keep as calm and rational as you can. Keep your body language, movement and tone of voice as non-threatening as possible. Try to keep at least 2-3 feet (45-90cm) distance between you and your partner. Encroaching on their personal space may increase their anger and put you in greater danger. If you are able to, try to avoid standing eye-to-eye or toe-to-toe with your abuser, as this may send a challenging message. If matters do become more serious, try to keep yourself between your partner and any escape route, such as the front door, in case you need to get out quickly.

Avoid the bathroom, kitchen or garage, or anywhere near potential weapons. If violence does occur and you are in danger, call 999 immediately. You should gather together as much evidence as possible relating to the abuse. This may include a diary, text messages, emails, medical and police reports or photographs. Although you may not be ready to take action against your abuser on that occasion, the evidence you gather can often be used in later proceedings.

If you have made the decision to leave...

Arrange for a place to go. It is best if this is a place unknown to your abuser. Remember that friends may sometimes be reluctant to assist you in this way because of concerns for their own safety.

If you need somewhere to stay at short notice, contact Women's Aid direct or via the police, your doctor, the housing department or social services, who provide refuge facilities in most areas. You can stay there for a few days or even months to allow you time to consider your future. 

Who to contact

Telephone
Please dial 101 or 999 in an emergency Please dial 101 or 999 in an emergency
Website(s)
Parent Organisation
Rochdale Police Station

Where to go

Address
The Esplanade
Rochdale
Postcode

OL16 1AG

View OL16 1AG on a map

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