Domestic Abuse

We are an Operation Encompass participant.  The purpose of Operation Encompass is that school are informed by the MASH police team prior to the start of the school day if there has been a domestic abuse incident in a child’s family.  They will assess the risk to the child, but school recognises that all incidents of domestic violence, witnessed or not, have a harmful impact on children and young people.

When we receive an Encompass notification, we will ascertain the wellbeing of the child in all circumstances, sharing knowledge on a need-to-know basis. 

Specialist Services for Victims/Survivors of Abuse

Ribble Valley

HARV (Hyndburn &Ribble

Valley)

Tel: 01254 879855

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic abuse isn’t just physical – it can be emotional, physical, sexual, financial or controlling behaviour.ome of the signs of domestic abuse, such as physical marks, may be easy to identify. Others may be things you can easily explain away or overlook. By knowing the signs of domestic abuse, you could help a friend, colleague or family member.
 

Some signs of physical abuse include:

• Black eyes
• Bruises on the arms
• Busted lips
• Red or purple marks on the neck
• Sprained wrists
• Hiding bruises with clothing - for example, you may notice that someone you care about is wearing long sleeves or scarves in the summer or wearing heavier than normal makeup or wearing sunglasses inside
   

Some signs of emotional abuse include:

• Agitation, anxiety, or constant apprehension
• Changes in sleep habits (sleeping too much or not enough)
• Developing a drug or alcohol problem
• Pressured to have unsafe sex – for example, not using a condom?
• Extremely apologetic or meek
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Low self-esteem
• Seeming fearful
• Symptoms of depression
• Talking about or attempting suicide
   

Some signs abuse can affect a person’s behaviour. You may notice that the person:

• Becomes reserved and distant
• Begins isolating themselves by cutting off contacts with friends and family members
• Drops out of activities they would usually enjoy
• Had your access to money restricted or are your finances being controlled by someone else?
• Exhibits excessive privacy concerning their personal life or the person with whom they're in a relationship
• Is often late to work or other appointments
   

Domestic abuse is all not about violence, it's also about control. Here are some examples of control:

• Asking permission to go anywhere or to meet and socialise with other people
• Constant calls, texts, or tracking by their partner wanting to know where they are, what they are doing, and who they are with
• Having very little money available to them, not having access to a credit card, or having to account for every penny spent
• Not having access to a vehicle
• Referring to their partner as "jealous" or "possessive," or always accusing them of having affairs