It may help to understand what constitutes domestic abuse before you decide what to do. Whether this is behaviour by another student or not, Swansea University can support you through this disclosure and help you understand the options you have moving forward.
If you think you have been the target of domestic abuse and/or coercive control, it may be hard to know what to do or how to feel. What happened was not your fault. What you do next is your choice.
Many victim/survivors blame themselves and it is important to understand that you did nothing to make this happen to you and the person who did this to you are responsible for their actions.
- Do you ever feel afraid of your partner (or other family members)?
- Have you changed your lifestyle or behaviour because you’re afraid of your partner’s (or other family member) reactions if you don’t?
- Does your partner (or other family member) ever hurt or threaten you or your loved ones (including pets)?
- Does your partner pressure or force you to do things you don’t want to do?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may be being domestically abused.
Domestic abuse damages your mental and physical health and puts your safety at serious risk. Abuse tends to escalate over time. There is help available to find a way out. If you’ve decided to leave, try to get advice from a support organisation first. If you're considering leaving, be careful who you tell. It's important your partner doesn't know where you're going.
Think
- Make yourself safe
If you are at home or in the home of someone else – has the person causing harm gone? If not, can you make yourself safe, contact a friend or family member or call the police? If you are in any danger or seriously injured call 999 immediately (or 112 from a mobile). If you are hard of hearing, download the 999 BSL app.
- Find a safe space
If an incident has just happened, try and find somewhere you feel safe. Can you talk to someone you trust? If you are on campus or in accommodation on campus the accommodation staff or campus security. If it is during working hours, you can also come to student services. If it is not safe for you to speak be aware that you can:
- Call 999
- Listen to the operator
- Cough or tap the handset
- If prompted press 55 – this lets the operator know it is a genuine call and you are put through to the police.
- If children are involved, how can you help them? Domestic abuse can have a devastating impact on children and young people – find out more about safeguarding.
Do you have any injuries?
If you have any physical symptoms after an assault, you should seek medical help.
If you feel comfortable to, taking photos of your injuries can be beneficial as evidence of the abuse.
If this is more than a very minor injury, or if you were unconscious for even a short time, you should go to Accident and Emergency. If you can, it may be helpful to bring a friend or family member with you.
It is up to you how much information you provide, but the hospital staff will be able to offer you better advice if they are aware of the circumstances.
Support
- Talk to a friend: Talking things through with someone you trust can sometimes help.
- Talk to a professional : Talking your experience through with a professional can increase your insight and empower you to know what options and support you have available to you.
Find out more about other specialist support available.
Choosing what you want to do next is up to you. Here a few of the options available: ·
We believe it is important for victims/survivors to be in control of how they decide to disclose and get support. Our role is to support you with providing you with information, options and someone to talk to without judgement. You decide what you want to do next. *However, if we believe there is an immediate risk of harm to you or someone else, we nay need to share information.
- Report and Support: Students can disclose an incident using the University’s Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can provide your details and an advisor will support you with understanding your options within and outside the university, whether you chose to report or not. Staff can report on behalf students who disclose to them, with their consent. NOTE: Using Report and Support does not automatically initiate the formal complaints process at the University. However, you may request this and discuss it with your advisor.
- Reporting to the Police: Abusive behaviour experienced by a partner or ex-partner is a criminal offence. This includes psychological abuse such as coercive and controlling behaviour as well as violence.
The police recognise revenge porn as a serious form of abuse. If someone is sharing or threatening to share an intimate image without consent you can report it. You can also report an incident anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at any point on 0800 555 111
- Choosing not to report: It is up to you if you wish to report this to anyone. There are many reasons you may choose not to report. Whatever your reason for not reporting this will be respected. If so, you can still access support both from the University and outside of the University. The support is free and will not pressure you to report the domestic abuse.