Note: If you are a victim of domestic violence or abuse and concerned for your safety in visiting this page, the National Domestic Violence Helpline offers guidelines to securing your internet searches on their Cover Your Tracks page.
Domestic violence and abuse can happen in all types of intimate relationships, with abuse by partners, ex-partners and relatives being among the most common ways by which it occurs. Often this is incredibly difficult to report, with the pressure of responsibility to dependents, fear of reprisal or sense of isolation leaving you with a feeling of hopelessness.
We recognise the emotional stress that such abuse can cause and are committed to helping those who suffer from it, providing support and refuge to escape such harmful relationships.
How we can help
If you are experiencing domestic abuse you will need advice and support, legal protection, safe accommodation, childcare arrangements, financial and practical support. Specialist help is available from a number of organisations and there are many links to the left of this page that can take you to them.
We may provide temporary accommodation for you such as a hostel, B&B, or help you gain access to a women's refuge. We can also assist you with finding accommodation privately and advise regarding legal remedies to keep you in your home.
It is very important that you report the abuse to someone. This should be someone that you trust, such as family, friends, GP, health visitor or police etc.
There are a wide-range of welfare benefits available and we will advise you on which of these benefits are suitable for your situation. In addition there are housing and tenancy options, for example: transfers of tenancy, injunctions and harrassment orders.
Sanctuary Sceheme
Note: The scheme is available to Council, Housing Association and private tenants, as well as owner occupiers. You will need to have rights to occupy the property as either sole owner or tenant, or be able to exclude the perpetrator of the abuse through legal means.
Many people, although they are under the threat of violence, do not wish to move home as they may live near to their children's schools, friends, family and other support networks.
The Devon Sanctuary Scheme aims to help victims of domestic violence and abuse feel safe and secure should they choose to remain in their own homes, by improving the security with professionally installed security measures.
The Devon Sanctuary Scheme is not an immediate response to the problem, but it is a long-term solution to improve a victim's quality of life.
The scheme is available to all victims of domestic violence and abuse living in Devon who may become homeless due to domestic violence and abuse, hate crime, racial harassment or other violence. Information of this scheme can be found in 
Devon Sanctuary Scheme Leaflet [424kb].
