About the Behind Closed Doors campaign

Statistically one in four women and one in six men suffer from domestic abuse, and within these abusive relationships a vast percentage are non-violent. These relationships operate on the premise of take take take.

Victims are isolated, controlled, told how to dress, what to eat, when to sleep. They are not allowed to work and are manipulated by threats of violence, rape, or the intervention of social services to take away children. They are humiliated and degraded, and reality is continuous fear and uncertainty.

This is coercive control. This is domestic abuse, and is now a crime in its own right.

The offence of Coercive and Controlling behaviour can be considered if “the perpetrators behaviour has had “serious effect” on the victim, meaning that it has caused the victim to fear violence will be used against them on at least two occasions or it has had a substantial adverse effect on the victims day to day activities.” The maximum prison term is five years.

That is why the Surrey Against Domestic Abuse partnership has launched a campaign to promote the help and support available to people experiencing domestic abuse. Named ‘Give and Take’, this campaign also seeks to make friends and family of those who are being abused by a partner or family member more aware of their role in taking action. Domestic abuse can happen to both men and women and regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, class, religion or physical ability.

Throughout the campaign, we will be using the hashtag #behindcloseddoors on Twitter. Join in the conversation and help us encourage more people to seek support and safety.

If you know someone who is experiencing domestic abuse, take action. You can do this by:

1. Calling Surrey Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

2. Calling the 24 hour yourSanctuary helpline for information and advice on 01483 776822.

More info http://www.surreyagainstda.info/news/behind-closed-doors/.