The States of Guernsey approved in September 2022, the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy.
What is domestic abuse?
- The States of Guernsey define domestic abuse as:
- Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.
- This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:
- Psychological
- Physical
- Sexual
- Financial
- Emotional
- Anyone can experience domestic abuse regardless of race, ethnicity or religious group, class, disability or lifestyle. Domestic abuse can also take place in lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender relationships and can involve other family members including children.
- This definition, which is not a legal definition, includes 'honour' based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage and is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group, although research shows that domestic abuse is most commonly experienced by women and perpetrated by men.
- Physical and sexual violence often gets worse over time, and can be very dangerous - and especially at the point of separation.
- Domestic abuse also presents a risk of harm to children and young people, by either witnessing domestic abuse whilst growing up, being directly abused themselves, or by experiencing domestic abuse in their relationships as teenagers.
What is controlling and coercive behaviour?
- Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.
- Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish or frighten their victim.
- Facts and Figures
- Every week more than 11 incidents of domestic abuse are reported and Guernsey Police respond to over 600 calls a year.
Get help from local services
- If you are being abused, threatened, physically or sexually assaulted by a partner, ex-partner or family member, this is domestic abuse. It is important to recognise this is happening to you, understand you are not to blame, and get help and support. There are a range of organisations locally and nationally that can provide help and support, and explore the options available to you, whether or not you want to leave the relationship. These are set out below.
- In an emergency always call the police by dialling 999 if you are at risk or in immediate danger. Otherwise call the police on 725111.
- The Police and Safer have information leaflets and pocket-sized cards which have information for women, men, young people and children on how to access help and support for domestic and sexual violence.
- For more information about domestic abuse data and action to prevent domestic abuse in the Islands see:
- The Domestic Abuse Strategy for Guernsey and Alderney 2016-2020
- The Domestic Abuse Strategy Annual Report and Evaluation 2015 (report awaiting data - to follow)
- Or, you can contact local services directly:
- SAFER Independent Domestic Violence Advisory (IDVA): Crisis and ongoing support for people experiencing domestic abuse. This includes helpline; refuge accommodation (for women and children only); advocacy; outreach support (for men and women): includes support in obtaining legal services, financial support and housing; support for children and young people. Phone number: 01481 721999 or email on enquiries@safer.gg. For further information see their website SAFER or their Facebook page.
- Guernsey Police: The Guernsey Police will respond positvely for all calls for services. Phone number: 01481 725111 for non-emergency or 999 in an emergency.
- Victim Support: Emotional support, information and practical help to people who have experienced a crime, and to their relatives and friends, whether or not the crime has been reported and regardless of when it happened; support for victims going through the Court process. Please contact Victim Support on 01481 223000.
- Action for Children: Outreach support for Young People (11-25s) and Housing Support (16-25s). Please contact on 01481 700218.
- The HUB: Support for Young People (11-16), drop in centre service. Please contact on 01481 724421 or text on 07781 122959.
- Child Protection Concerns: Duty Social Worker (24 hours). Please contact Children and Family Community Services on 01481 725241.
- SAFER: Counselling for Victims of Domestic Abuse. For further information see their website SAFER or our Facebook page
- Legal Advice: For information on legal support please visit our Gov.gg page.
- The Office of the Committee for Employment and Social Security: For advice on benefits email at employementandsocialsecurity@gov.gg
- Social Housing: For advice about Social Housing - for questions about applying for a States' house, call 01481 717210, and advice for existing States' house tenants, call 01481 717211. Or contact the Housing Control housing.tenancy@gov.gg. For enquiries about social housing provided by the Guernsey Housing Association (GHA) please contact 01481 245530.
- National helplines:
- Freephone 24 hour national domestic violence helpline - 0808 2000 247, Womens Aid. Language Line and BT Typetalk available.
- Freephone Rape Crisis Helpline - 0808 802 9999, Rape Crisis.
- Freephone Men's Advice Line for men experiencing domestic violence - 0808 801 0327, Mens Advice Line.
- Galop Domestic Violence Helpline - 0800 999 5428, Galop.
- Freephone Respect Phoneline for domestic violence perpetrators - 0808 802 4040, Respect Phone Line.
- Karma Nirvana - a UK registered Charity that supports victims and survivors of Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse - 0800 5999247
- National Stalking Helpline - information and guidance on reporting stalking or harassment, effective gathering of evidence, personal safety - 0808 802 0300
- Childline (free helpline) - 0800 1111
