Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence includes all kinds of physical, emotional and sexual abuse within intimate relationships.
Domestic violence is the misuse of power one person uses over another in an effort to control them.
Domestic violence is rarely a one off event. The abuse often increases in frequency and severity over time.
Domestic violence is much more common than most people realise. It harms women, children and men.
It wrecks thousands of lives.
Seeking Help
For some, the decision to seek help is quickly and easily made. For many, the process will be long and painful as they try to make the relationship work and stop the violence. The prospect of leaving an abusive relationship can be as frightening as the prospect of staying.
Harbour
Harbour (formerly known as North Tees Women’s Aid) has worked for over 30 years to achieve safer communities through holistic services addressing domestic abuse. It operates across Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough, and Easington, and offers refuge services, adult and children’s outreach services, a counselling programme and a perpetrator programme.
Within the Hartlepool area, the following services are available:
Harbour Hartlepool Refuge
Telephone: 01429 277 508 (24 hrs)
Email: hartlepoolrefuge@myharbour.org.uk
Harbour Hartlepool Refuge has 6 self contained units, as well a room to accommodate emergency overnight stays. The refuges can be accessed 24 hours a day and staff provide support and guidance to women and their children.
Harbour Children’s Outreach
Telephone: 01429 868 805
Email: childrensoutreach@myharbour.org.uk
Harbour’s Children’s Outreach team works with children aged 3 -16 who have or are living with domestic abuse or experiencing a chaotic life style. Services include one to one support and group work sessions. The Children’s Outreach Team also works with young people to promote healthy and respectful relationships.
Harbour Sexual Violence Counselling Programme
Telephone : 0845 602 7449
Email: counsellingprogramme@myharbour.org.uk
Harbour’s counselling programme offers support to victims of sexual abuse or rape. Qualified counsellors work with males and females aged 18 and over on an individual or group basis.
Harbour Men’s Programme (Perpetrator Project)
Telephone : 0845 602 7440
Email: mensprogramme@myharbour.org.uk
Harbour provides a programme for men who have been violent or abusive to a partner or ex-partner and can demonstrate their intention to change their behavior.
The programme is voluntary and, after initial assessments, comprises a 30 session rolling programme of group work.
Hartlepool Domestic Violence Unit
Hartlepool Domestic Violence Unit is based at Hartlepool Police Station in Avenue Road. PC Julie Garner deals with all domestic violence incidents and has links with many agencies including Hartlepool Women's Refuge. The Domestic Violence Unit can also provide mobile telephones and panic alarms for emergency use.
For more information contact PC Julie Garner on 01642 302568 or 01642 302168
