What to do if you're suffering domestic abuse in Hartlepool during lockdown

Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs are reassuring help is still available if anyone is facing domestic abuse, or may know somebody who is.

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free to call 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247, while locally a range of help is available by contacting Harbour Support Services on (01429) 270110.

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesman said: “Domestic abuse is on the rise during the coronavirus outbreak and is having a devastating impact on many children and young people.

“However, if you are worried that someone you know may be a victim of domestic abuse, be reassured that help is available.”

Cleveland Police is also encouraging members of the public to support a charity’s new campaign to protect victims of domestic abuse during the coronavirus pandemic.

Crimestoppers launched an initiative appealing for information from people who are aware of domestic abuse happening to friends, family, work colleagues or neighbours.

Domestic abuse can be physical, psychological, emotional, sexual or financial and it is estimated to affect one in four women and one in six men during their lifetime.

It’s estimated a typical victim endures up to 35 assaults before speaking up, and in some cases results in death.

Cleveland Police’s Head of Crime Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Morgan has urged people to come forward with any information, adding they can do it anonymously.

He said: “We know that neighbours, family and friends may have suspicions that domestic abuse is happening in their community, but they may be reluctant to get involved or to speak to police so I’d urge anyone who has information to please pass it to Crimestoppers.

“Remember, Crimestoppers is a charity and is completely independent of the police. Rest assured you will never have to give your name or other identifying details.

“Please think of those people who may be isolated during this lockdown and who are feeling terrified and alone.

“You can help them by stepping forward and telling Crimestoppers what you know. You will be helping victims, including many children, and you could save lives.”

Crimestoppers’ UK Contact Centre is open 24/7 on 0800 555 111 or people can visit their website: crimestoppers-uk.org and fill in a secure anonymous online form.

Guidance and support is also available online from the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ and a form is also available to arrange a safe time for a call from the team.

Council chiefs also urged anyone who feels they are in immediate danger to call 999 and ask for the police.

If you can’t speak

Advice has also been offered to anyone who has to call for help but is unable to speak.

If calling from a landline and only background noise can be heard and BT operators cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, a caller will be connected to a police call handler.

The caller should try to cough or tap the receiver so that the BT operator knows they are there and needs assistance.

The police call handler will issue some simple instructions to establish what help is needed.

When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about a caller’s location should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.

If calling from a mobile phone and making a sound puts a caller in danger, and the BT operator cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, the call will be transferred to the Silent Solution system.

This is a police system used to filter out large numbers of accidental or hoax 999 calls and also helps people who are unable to speak but who genuinely need police assistance.

The caller will hear an automated police message which lasts for 20 seconds and begins with “you are through to the police”. It will ask the caller to press 55 to be put through to police call management.

The BT operator will remain on the line and listen. If the caller presses 55 they will be notified and transfer the call to the police. If 55 is not pressed the call will be terminated. Pressing 55 does not allow the police to track the caller’s location.

When transferred to the police, the call handler will attempt to communicate by asking simple yes or no questions.

If a caller is not able to speak, they should listen carefully to the questions and instructions from the call handler so that the call can be assessed and help arranged if necessary.

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