What if I have been sexually abused?
Calling Devon and Cornwall Police about domestic abuse - a walkthrough
If you are a victim of domestic abuse there are two ways you may decide to contact the police.
- In an emergency situation: during a violent incident or a potentially violent incident. Dial 999 or for deaf or hard of hearing text 80999.
- In a non emergency situation: to report an incident that has happened and finished or to seek advice or information. Dial 08452 777 444 or Minicom 01392 452935.
In an emergency: the police aim to respond to all emergency cases as a priority. If you report an ongoing domestic incident then:
- The police will arrive at your house as soon as possible.
- They will step in and stop any ongoing violence.
- They will listen to you and assess what has happened.
- If a crime is identified then the police will, in the majority of cases arrest the offender, or if the suspect has left, make efforts to arrest them. This enables Police to carry out their investigation and prevents further offences.
- The police will carry out an assessment of the risk and will discuss ways to increase safety with you.
- If you want support from a support service the police can arrange this for you, make a referral on your behalf or direct you towards relevant services, depending on your circumstances.
- Your wishes will always be considered in the event of any criminal offences being identified and the police will act in the best interest of protecting you and your children.
In a non emergency: the police aim to respond to all reports of domestic abuse.
- The police will make contact with you as soon as possible.
- They will listen to you and assess what has happened.
- If a crime is identified then the police will, in the majority of cases arrest the offender, or if the suspect has left, make efforts to arrest them. This enables Police to carry out their investigation and prevents further offences.
- The police will carry out an assessment of the risk and will discuss ways to increase safety with you.
- If you want support from a support service the police can arrange this for you, make a referral on your behalf or direct you towards relevant services, depending on your circumstances.
- Your wishes will always be considered in the event of any criminal offences being identified and the police will act in the best interest of protecting you and your children.
Follow up:
The officer dealing with the incident will keep you updated as to the status of the case. When a suspect is arrested, released or a decision has been made in relation to charging the offender to court you will be updated. If the police impose bail conditions to protect you or your children you will be notified.
Depending on the circumstances of your case you may be contacted by a Domestic Abuse Officer. They will look at ways of increasing your safety over the longer term and have links with all the other support and professional organisations in Devon dedicated to tackling domestic violence and abuse.
The Domestic Abuse Officer focuses on you and how we can make you safer and support you through this difficult time. Some of the options that a Domestic Abuse Officer can help to arrange are:
- Alarms for the household.
- Sanctuary Scheme – where we can make your house a safer place to live.
- Personal attack alarms.
- Refuge – for those people wishing to break contact completely with their partner/family.
- Support Services – for abuse or alcohol issues we can directly refer you with your consent. If you are an abuser we can refer you to organisations that can help you stop or manage the triggers behind the abuse.
- They can organise a service that involves local officers just making contact and checking on your well being periodically.
- Develop a flexible plan around keeping you safe and which will cater for your individual needs.
Devon and Cornwall Police are there to help you to feel safe and protected.
Protection:
If you decide to leave your partner there are many options available to you, and the support services available can help you plan how it is best for you to leave. Sometimes you may decide to leave straight after an incident which the police may have been involved in.
The police can have an immediate impact on your situation,opening up all sorts of opportunities to you should the perpetrator be arrested and given conditions not to return to your home whilst the investigation is ongoing.
Sometimes enforcement action is needed to help you in leaving the perpetrator and can be useful in giving the police extra powers to protect you from future abuse.
Devon and Cornwall Police work closely with other agencies to provide the mix of support that is needed for your circumstances.
Whilst the police want to reduce the incidence of domestic abuse they can only do this if they know the full scale of the problem you face. Reporting as much information as possible to them will enable the police to support you in dealing with issues that may arise.
If you report domestic abuse to Devon and Cornwall Police and children are involved, they have a legal obligation to involve Children and Young People Services (formerly Social Services). Children and Young People Services have options available to help protect you and your children from any future abuse. The aim of Children and Young People Services is to help support your children and you to overcome this cycle of abuse, and the impact it has on you and your family.
If you report a criminal offence toDevon and Cornwall Police they will take positive action and attempt to hold the perpetrator accountable for their actions in a court of law. But in doing so, they will also aim to improve your safety and help you to be supported through this difficult time.
