Domestic abuse
Council tenants can contact our Housing Domestic Abuse Outreach Team on 0191 433 3174 for help.
Anyone can call the 24-hour Domestic Abuse Support Service on 0191 433 3333.
They can:
- help you find somewhere to live, or to manage the tenancy you already have
- link you to specialist agencies to meet your family's needs
- help you to attend legal appointments
- offer encouragement to rebuild your life
If you are in immediate danger, call the Police on 999 - if you are unable to speak, you can confirm you are a genuine caller by pressing 55 when prompted.
If the situation is not an emergency, but you still need the Police, call 101.
Other organisations that can help:
- Refuge National 24-hour Domestic Violence Helpline (opens new window) - 0808 2000 247
- Broken Rainbow (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual support) - 08452 60 44 60
- Mankind (opens new window) (men experiencing domestic abuse) - 01823 334244
- NHS- Getting help for domestic violence (opens new window)
- NHS- Help after rape and sexual assault (opens new window)
Other agencies that can give advice:
- ChildLine (opens new window) - 0800 1111
- NSPCC Helpline (opens new window) - 0800 800500
- Samaritans (opens new window) - 116 123
- Gateshead Women's Aid (opens new window) - 0191 477 9309
- Gateshead Victim Support (opens new window) - 0191 477 8395.
Get legal advice
You should consult a solicitor for legal advice about your options. Also ask the solicitor if you are entitled to legal aid. You will get numbers for local solicitors from the Yellow Pages or online at www.yell.com (opens new window)
If you can't stay at home
We can help you if you can't get into your home, or are afraid to stay in it, because of domestic abuse. You can contact any of our housing offices, where our employees will be able to give you advice and support.
Staying safe online
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How to clear your browser history - all major browsers. (opens new window)
Definition of domestic abuse or violence
We have adopted the definition agreed by the Domestic Violence Partnership in Gateshead and Gateshead Council's Community Safety Strategy, which is:
"Any incident of threatening behaviour or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality."
Typically domestic abuse can involve a systematic pattern of behaviour that can include, but is not limited to:
- Physical assaults
- Sexual assaults
- Emotional abuse
- Isolation
- Economic abuse
- Threats
- Stalking
- Intimidation.