Domestic abuse and sexual violence - guidance for professionals
Domestic abuse and sexual violence can happen to anyone. Victims can be any age, gender, race or class.
Abusive behaviour includes:
- physical, sexual and emotional abuse
- controlling behaviour
- threats and intimidation
- economic abuse
- harassment and stalking
Sexual violence is a non-consensual sexual act involving force or coercion.
It includes:
- rape or sexual assault
- sexual harassment
- female genital mutilation
Supporting victims of abuse
You may be the first person someone discloses their abuse to. You need to know how to respond and help them access specialist help.
Domestic abuse support
Change Grow Live provide domestic abuse support in East Sussex.
Professionals can refer anyone in East Sussex aged 16+ affected by:
- domestic abuse
- sexual abuse
- violence
Refuge services
Interventions Alliance provide refuge services in East Sussex. To make a referral:
- Call 07542507689 or
- Email referrals.eastsussex@interventionsalliance.co.uk
If you are looking for a refuge in another area of the country you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline who will complete a search for current refuge vacancies in your chosen area:
-
on 0808 2000 247
-
or use the live chat function on the National Domestic Abuse Helpline website
Guidance for professionals
Government plans
The steps to take to ensure victims get the support they need.
How frontline officers must apply the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, also known as Clare’s Law:
Pan-Sussex publications
- Pan-Sussex Strategy for domestic abuse accommodation and support 2021-2024 | Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner
- Pan-Sussex Strategic Framework for domestic and sexual violence and abuse, and violence against women and girls 2021-2024. This document is not accessible to users of assistive technology. To receive a copy, please email SafeinEastSussex@eastsussex.gov.uk
- Pan-Sussex Domestic Abuse Strategy Executive Summary [5.6 MB] [pdf]
- Pan-Sussex Domestic Abuse Strategy Executive Summary (Accessible format) [198.7 KB] [pdf]
Sussex Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board
This is a statutory Board which unites partners across Sussex. It aims to improve support for victims, survivors, and witnesses of domestic abuse. It focuses on providing high-quality community and safe accommodation services. So that victims are able to cope and recover from the impact of what has happened to them.
The Board is responsible for implementing specified duties in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
The Board is supported by the following sub-groups:
• the Voices of Lived Experience Board
• Perpetrator Subgroup.
• Domestic Abuse Related Deaths Oversight Group
• Data and Insights Sub-Group
East Sussex Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse (DSVA) Management Oversight Group
This group brings together key agencies across East Sussex. It provides a victim-focused response to domestic and sexual violence and abuse, and other forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG). The Group oversees the MARAC audit processes and implementation of MARAC improvement plans. It ensures that MARACs are maintained and run in line with quality standards.
