East Worthing MP backs campaign against domestic abuse

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton has backed a campaign aimed at supporting victims of all forms of domestic abuse.
East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim LoughtonEast Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton
East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton

The national Talk About Abuse campaign run by charity Citizens Advice encourages people to be aware of what constitutes domestic abuse, to start a supportive conversation if they have concerns and to suggest further help to victims.

Research highlights how victims can suffer financial and emotional abuse as well as physical and sexual violence, and last year the Government said that it would address non-physical abuse and make ‘coercive control’ illegal. This will outlaw sustained patterns of behaviour that amount to emotional and financial abuse.

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Mr Loughton, who attended the launch of the campaign at the Houses of Parliament last Wednesday, said: “We must aim to end domestic abuse in all its forms. Behind closed doors domestic abuse can include physical violence, financial control and psychological torment.

People need to know what steps they can take if they suspect someone is suffering from any form of domestic abuse. It is important that anyone in East Worthing and Shoreham experiencing domestic abuse, or anyone worried about a friend or family member, feels able to get to get the help and support they need.”

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, added: “Abusers use a variety of tactics to control, hurt and isolate victims. To maintain control over their victims abusers may make them account for every penny they spend, manipulate their emotions, and even physically or sexually assault them. The support of family and friends can be vital to someone who feels trapped by abuse.

“It is important people feel able to talk about abuse, whether they are victims, family or friends. We are working to help more people understand what constitutes domestic abuse and where they can get specialist help if they or someone they know may be suffering.”

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Central and South Sussex Citizens Advice Bureau provides free confidential and impartial advice to people in Lancing, Shoreham and Worthing face to face and over the telephone.

For more information visit www.centralandsouthsussexcab.org.uk or call 0344 477 1171.

If you are experiencing domestic violence or abuse, or you are concerned someone you know might be in an abusive relationship, you can seek help by calling confidential helplines:

If the victim is a woman, you can get help from the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (run in partnership by Refuge and Women’s Aid).

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If the victim is a man, you can get help from the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327.

If the victim is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, you can get specialised help from Broken Rainbow on 0300 999 5428.

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