About Us | Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs (2024)

FAQs

What can you do about domestic abuse? ›

Reporting the violence to the police

Most police stations have Domestic Violence Units or Community Safety Units with specially trained officers to deal with domestic violence and abuse. You can call 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency or you can attend a police station in person to report an incident.

Education helps people identify abusive behaviors and understand that domestic violence is a crime that carries serious repercussions. It also helps dispel common myths, such as the belief that domestic violence only happens in certain communities or that it's a private matter.

Take the time to listen and believe what they say. Communicate that you care about their safety, that they do not deserve to be hurt, and that the abuse is not their fault. Tell them they are not crazy. A person who has been abused often feels upset, depressed, confused, and scared.

Contact programs and services in your area that assist victims of domestic violence and their children. These programs not only offer people safety, but also provide advocacy, support, and other needed services. Contact your local domestic violence hotline or program and talk to staff about your concerns.

Physical abuse: involves hurting or trying to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, burning, grabbing, pinching, shoving, slapping, hair-pulling, biting, denying medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use, or using other physical force.

We define domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer.

When applying for restraining orders, the petitioner must attach all supporting material such as any police reports, pictures taken , screenshots of text messages, and medical bills to show that the definition of domestic violence was met.

Abusers will rarely admit to the part they play in causing a problem. She will blame the victim for almost anything that goes wrong.

Women experience domestic violence at a higher rate than men do. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 29% of women (nearly 3 in 10) and 10% of men (1 in 10) have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner.

What are 2 effects of domestic violence on victims? ›

Being a victim of domestic violence is linked to increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and suicide. Exposure to traumatic events can lead to stress, fear and isolation, which may lead to depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior.

Women who experience domestic abuse are twice as likely to experience depression, and 40% of homeless women state domestic abuse as a contributory factor to their homelessness. Fact: Domestic abuse can lead women to suicide. It is estimated that around 3 women a week die by suicide as a result of domestic abuse.

Victim services or a lawyer can help you get a non-criminal protection order to keep the person who abused you away from you. If the situation isn't dangerous right now, you can also call a health centre, victim services, community organization, shelter, or the local police and tell them about the abuse.

Anyone who may wish to report or discuss an incident of Domestic or Sexual Violence can contact 112/999 or their local Garda Station.

Ask the court for an occupation order

You can ask the courts to make an occupation order to keep an abusive person out of your home, even if: they own or rent the home and have a legal right to be there. you don't own or rent the home yourself.