Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse can take place in a variety of ways and anyone can be a victim. Examples of domestic abuse can include:

• Controlling behaviour
• Threatening behaviour
• Violent and abusive behaviour

At PCH we’re committed to providing homes and communities where people want to live and feel safe. We take a zero-tolerance approach to domestic abuse and here you can find how to report it, or any further support services you may need.

If you are in danger, please dial 999 immediately or 101 in a non-emergency.  If you ring 999 but can’t talk, make sure the Police know you are there by coughing or tapping the handset or by dialling 55. 

At PCH we will:  

• Never tell anyone your personal details without your permission
• Offer support and advice
• Offer same gender or safe place interviews
• Discuss organisations that provide long-term support if and when you may require it
• Be sensitive and understanding when discussing your housing options
• React quickly and effectively to make sure you are safe
• Take relevant action against those who are responsible for domestic abuse using the conditions of our tenancy agreements
• Give you advice and practicable help with your tenancy and other issues
• Provide additional security measures to your property if you need them or if it is appropriate to do so

We can help you with options to stay and be safe. For advice about your tenancy you may need to seek separate legal advice.

If you need to be rehoused away from the person who is abusing you, we can give you housing advice or discuss alternative safe accommodation.

If you are homeless, or worried that you may become homeless due to domestic abuse, you can get urgent advice and help from the Housing Department of your Local Authority who will assess your situation and let you know how to help and what your rights are.

All Local Authorities have a 24-hour telephone service for people in emergency situations.

We will never inform the person responsible that we have spoken to you. As your safety is our main concern we will also not take any action against this person without speaking to you first.

• Through our online customer portal MyPCH
• By calling 0808 230 6500
• By using use the contact form here on our website: PCH contact form

We will aim to get in touch with you within 24 hours during our normal office hours.  

There are support networks available to help people change their behaviour:

• Visit the respect website
• Or visit the Ahimsa website

• Plymouth Domestic Abuse Services - 0800 458 2558
• First Light (for sexual assaults) - 0300 777 4777
• SARC - The Plymouth SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) - 0300 3034626
• Devon's domestic abuse helpline - 0345 155 1074
• Rape crisis helpline - 0808 802 9999

• The National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247
• Women’s Aid - 0808 2000 247
• National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline - 0800 999 5428
• Men's Advice Line - 0808 801 0327
• Victim Support - 0808 168 9111.

In an emergency always call 999

If you’re worried that someone may see what you have been looking at online there’s a few things you can do to minimise the chances of them finding out - like deleting your browser history.

Please remember that although clearing your history minimises the chances of someone knowing what websites you have visited there is other means of finding this out if you know how.

The safest way to access sites if you want to be completely sure of not being tracked online, is to use a computer at a local library, an internet cafe, a friend's house or at work.