Domestic Abuse

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is any abusive behaviour between two people aged 16 or over who are personally connected. It can be a single incident or ongoing behaviour.

Domestic abuse can include:

• Physical or sexual abuse
• Threatening or violent behaviour
• Controlling or coercive behaviour
• Economic abuse (controlling money or access to essentials)
• Psychological or emotional abuse

Someone can be abusive even if their actions are aimed at someone else, such as a child.

What does “personally connected” mean?

Two people are personally connected if they:

• Are or were married
• Are or were civil partners
• Agreed to marry or enter a civil partnership
• Are or were in an intimate relationship
• Share a child or both care for the same child
• Are relatives

Are children victims of domestic abuse too?

Yes. A child is also a victim if they:

• See or hear the abuse, or
• Are affected by the abuse in any way

A child is anyone under 18 and is considered related if the adult is a parent, has parental responsibility, or is a relative.

How can Weaver Vale support me?

We can speak to you safely, when you feel secure, and help you access the right support. We keep your information confidential unless you or a child is at risk of serious harm.

We can help with:

• Support if you need to leave your home
• Access to legal advice
• Priority repairs and home‑security measures (locks, alarms, letterboxes, lighting)*
• Benefits advice and help completing forms

*Lock changes in joint tenancies need consent from both tenants.

You can contact us by calling 0300 303 9848 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, same number for urgent out‑of‑hours repairs) or email safeguarding@wvht.co.uk

How can professionals contact Weaver Vale about a family?

To contact us regarding a family you are working with or for statutory information requests, please email safeguarding@wvht.co.uk .  

What should I include in my request?

If you need information for assessments, such as TAF (Team Around the Family) or Child in Need, please attach proof of consent.

What if I need emergency housing because of domestic abuse?

You can make a homeless application to any local authority. You have automatic priority need, meaning they must provide emergency housing.

Local authority contacts:

Cheshire West and Chester
Call 0300 123 2442 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9-5; Wed 1-5)
Out of hours: 0300 123 7035

Cheshire East
Call 0300 123 5017 (Option 2)
Out of hours: 0300 123 5022

Warrington Housing Advice Service
Call 01925 246868
Out of hours: 01925 444400

Additional support:

• Shelter: 0808 800 4444 (emergency: 0808 1644 6600)
• Citizens Advice: 03444 111 444

What legal orders can help protect me?

Occupation Order
Decides who can live in the home and can remove someone who is violent or abusive.

Non‑Molestation Order
Stops someone from threatening, harming, harassing, or contacting you.
Breaching the order is a criminal offence.

Prohibited Steps Order
Stops a parent with parental responsibility from making certain decisions about a child.

Where can I get legal help?

• National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV): Call 0800 970 2070
• DV Assist: Call 0800 195 8699