We all have a role in helping to combat domestic abuse and safeguard children and vulnerable adults.

If you work in Education, 3 to 5 children in the average classroom will be witnessing domestic abuse at home. Nearly all victims of domestic abuse will come in to contact with the NHS at some point in their lives and practitioners who recognise domestic abuse and know how to help can literally be a lifeline for survivors.

As 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime, you are also likely to come into contact with friends, relatives, neighbours or colleagues affected by domestic abuse.

While both men and women may experience incidents of inter-personal violence, women are considerably more likely to experience repeated and severe forms of violence. 32% of women who had ever experienced domestic violence did so four or five (or more) times, compared with 11% of the (smaller number) of men who had ever experienced domestic violence; and women constituted 89% of all those who had experienced 4 or more incidents of domestic violence. (Walby and Allen, 2004) These points are not always evident in statistical summaries (for example those produced by the Home Office) as they focus on single incidents, rather than on the complex pattern of overlapping and repeated abuse perpetrated within a context of power and control.

At home or at work – would you know how to help?

There are links to a range of policy and guidance documents on this website and these can guide you to using best practice.

Across Greater Manchester services are working together to stop domestic abuse and help anyone concerned about abuse to find out about help for themselves or for friends and family. These services include Helplines, Women’s Aid, Police, Victim Support, Housing Services, Education, NHS, Independent Domestic Abuse Advisers, Relate and Probation.

End the Fear
Across Greater Manchester services are working together to stop domestic abuse and help anyone concerned about abuse to find out about help for themselves or for friends and family. These services include Helplines, Women’s Aid, Police, Victim Support, Housing Services, GMP, Education, NHS, Independent Domestic Abuse Advisers, Relate and Probation.

2010 was the first time Greater Manchester has come together to work on a campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse, ‘End the Fear’ challenge attitudes and encourage reporting. It was decided that a single campaign would be far more effective in terms of impact and cost. The initial campaign was timed to coincide with the start of the World Cup
as evidence suggests domestic abuse rises during major football matches. This has led to further collaborative work.