SDAT is an intuitive led by Derbyshire Police in conjunction with Social Care, Heath Services and other agencies, who work together to safeguard children and adults.

Stopping Domestic Abuse Together (SDAT)

SDAT is an intuitive led by Derbyshire Police in conjunction with Social Care, Heath Services and other agencies, who work together to safeguard children and adults.

Domestic Abuse can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:

Psychological

Physical

Sexual

Financial

Emotional

What is SDAT?

SDAT is an early notification system to schools to quickly notify them of any incidents of domestic abuse where the Police have attended a household where children live. This enables schools to understand changes in a child’s behaviour, attitude or general presentation and to support children if needed.

Children and young people witnessing domestic abuse

Witnessing domestic abuse is really distressing and scary and it causes serious harm to children.

Children who witness domestic abuse can experience a wide range effects. They may:

• Become anxious and depressed
• Have difficulty sleeping or have nightmares
• Be easily startled, flinch or react disproportionately to loud noises
• Complain of physical symptoms such as tummy ache
• Start wetting the bed
• Have temper tantrums and display challenging behaviour at school
• Behave younger than they are
• Not want to go to school
• Become aggressive towards others
• Have poor self-worth
• Self-harm
• Have difficulty forming positive relationships

They may feel:

Guilty – because they think they have done something wrong

Powerless – because they can’t stop the violence

Confused – because it doesn’t make sense

Angry – because it shouldn’t be happening

Sad – because it’s a loss

Afraid – because they may be hurt, they may lose someone they love, others may find out

Alone – because they think it is only happening to them

The Hideout

The Hideout is an organisation that offers support and advice to children and families affected by Domestic Abuse.

To find out more visit The Hideout website 

Refuge

Refuge is the country’s largest provider of specialist domestic violence services.

The Derby City Domestic Violence Service provides free confidential, non-judgemental and independent support and advice for those living in Derby City who are experiencing domestic violence. The service is available for both men and women.

The service will work with people who have experienced domestic violence to create a tailor made safety and support plan which will include:

• Personal safety information
• Support to contact the police
• Information on the criminal and civil justice options available and support if they are going through a court case
• Support to secure an injunction
• Help to improve the safety of child contact
• Information about safe housing options
• Referrals to other services
• The opportunity to discuss the effects of domestic violence with someone who understands

The team will accept referrals from:

• Individuals who want to self – referral into the service
• Professional who refer to the service must have consent from the person they are referring
• Family, friends and other third parties may call for support

The service is available to anyone living in Derby City who has experienced domestic violence and who is assessed to be at standard to medium risk of domestic violence, stalking and ‘honour’ based violence.

To make a referral to the service:

• Telephone: 0800 0853481
• Email: DCDVS@Refuge.org.uk

Further information about Refuge can be found here.

The Freedom Programme

The Freedom Programme is a 12 week support group for women. The programme is open to any woman who wishes to learn more about the reality of domestic abuse.

The Freedom Programmes aims to:

• help women to understand the beliefs held by abusive partners and in doing so, recognise which of these beliefs they have shared
• help women gain self-esteem and the confidence to improve the quality of their lives
• show the effects of domestic abuse on children
• help women to recognise potential future abusers
• introduce women to support services across Derby

The Freedom Programme is now being run from venues across Derby. All courses are open to women from any area.

All programmes are free.

Further information about the Freedom Programme can be found here.