The cross-government definition of domestic violence and abuse is: any incident or pattern of incidents or controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to: psychological; physical; sexual; financial; and emotional. All children can witness and be adversely affected by domestic abuse in the context of their home life where domestic abuse occurs between family members.

Domestic abuse can be emotional, physical, sexual, economic, coercive or psychological, such as:

• kicking, hitting, punching, cutting or throwing objects
• rape (including in a relationship)
• controlling someone's finances by withholding money or stopping someone earning
• controlling behaviour, like telling someone where they can go and what they can wear
• not letting someone leave the house
• reading emails, text messages or letters
• threatening to kill someone or harm them
• threatening to another family member or pet.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or know someone who is and are worried about them, please contact either/or -

National domestic abuse helpline 0808 2000 247, available 24 hours a day and free of charge Refuge - National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Womens Aid NEL 01472 575757, email- support@womensaidnel.org

Women's Aid - North East Lincolnshire

Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass is a police and education early information sharing partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. Information is shared by the police with a school's trained Key Adult (DSL) prior to the start of the next school day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident, thus enabling appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.

Children experiencing domestic abuse are negatively impacted by this exposure; domestic abuse has been identified as an Adverse Childhood Experience and can lead to emotional, physical and psychological harm. Operation Encompass aims to mitigate this harm by enabling immediate support, making a child's day better and giving them a better tomorrow.

Operation Encompass believes that children are victims of domestic abuse in their own right and should be acknowledged as such.