About Abuse
Signs of Abuse
A woman who is being abused may show some of the following signs:
- Evasive
- Ashamed
- Depressed
- Frightened
- Very nervous
- Embarassed
- Unable to concentrate
She may be...
- Hiding bruises or painful areas
- Anxious about her partner coming home
- Cancelling plans to meet you
- Having lots of days off work
- Discouraging you from visiting her at home
- Smoking or drinking more than usual
You may see her partner/husband
- Belittle her
- Humiliating her
- Showing unreasonable jealousy
- Showing off how he can control her
- Being rude to you so you stop visiting
What can you do if this is happening to someone you know:
- Let her know that you know something is wrong
- Find a quiet time away from her husband/partner and children and ask her if everything is all right at home.
- Let her know you are willing to listen
- Encourage her to contact Women's Aid
Preparing for Emergencies
- Think about how you might leave if you need to and tell someone you can trust
- Put money aside for taxis, bus fares and phone calls
- Try to have important documents like marriage certificates, passports, child benefits and benefits information with you
- Keep some clothes for you and your children at a friends or relatives house
- Try to make sure you have a key to your home
Your right to Protection
Your right to be protected by the Police
- Any woman is entitled to police assistance if she is being assaulted.
- Assaults which occur between partners in the home are not in any way less serious than those which occur between strangers.
- The evidence needed for a conviction for "partner assault" is the same as for any other assault - ie proof beyond reasonable doubt.
- There are guidelines laid down for the police on how they should respond to being called to an assault on a women by the person she is living with.
- It is misleading for the police to ask you if you want to have your partner charged - it is for the police to decide whether to charge him or not, it is however your decision as to whether or not you make a statement.
Your right to Protection from Continuing Abuse
- Any women who is being assaulted, threatened or harassed by an abuser can apply through a lawyer for a court order telling them to stop their behaviour. This is called an interdict.
- An interdict can be granted if you want an abuser to be told to stop assaulting you but do not wish to have them put out of the home. It can also be granted if you are living apart from the abuser and you still need protection from them. For example, the abuser may be prohibited from assaulting and threatening you in your home or anywhere else, or from coming within fifty yards of the family home.
- If the abuser breaks the interdict, the response of the police will depend on whether or not a power of arrest is attached to the interdict.
- If there is a power of arrest then the police can arrest the abuser if they have reasonable suspicion that the interdict has been broken.
- If there is not a power of arrest then the police have no special powers unless the abuser has committed a separate criminal offence at the time. If no criminal offence has been committed, you must go to your lawyer about taking your abuser through the civil courts for 'breach of interdict'.
- Under the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981, and the Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Act 2001, you can apply to the court for a power of arrest to be attached. It is important that you talk to a lawyer about applying for this protection, your local women's aid group can provide you with a list of sympathetic lawyers.
Help for Children & Young People
Domestic Abuse affects thousands of young people - you are not alone. If you hear or see the abuse or get caught up in it - tell an adult you can trust.
What is Domestic Abuse:
- Physical
punching, kicking, threatening or using weapons - Sexual
rape, unwanted sexual attention or touching - Emotional
telling someone they are useless, stupid, bad, stalking them
If you live with domestic abuse, remember you are not to blame. Abusers depend on fear, don't keep it to yourself - tell someone you trust.
Abuse is not okay but it its ok to talk about it.
Check out: www.thehideout.org.uk
Contact CYPEDA - Young People's Domestic Abuse Support Service
- Central Fife: 0845 555550
- East Fife: 01334 653863