Domestic abuse is never okay; NO ONE deserves to accept violence or control in their lives. It may help to understand what constitutes domestic abuse before you decide what to do.
Please take the time to understand what domestic abuse actually is as this can help inform your next steps. If you feel you can talk to them about what you have seen or heard, they may be able to describe what has been happening and how it has made them feel.
Think
Report and Support is not an emergency reporting tool.
Are you in immediate danger or seriously injured?
- On Campus, Campus Safety: 0121 359 2922 or via the Safezone app.
- Off Campus, Emergency Services: 999 (or 112 from a mobile). If you can’t speak:
- Listen to the questions from the 999 operator
- Respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can, or by any other means to make yourself heard
- When asked, press 55
- ASV Student Accommodation: if the abuse is happening within Aston Student Village Student Accommodation overnight or during weekends, call Unite’s Emergency Control Centre: 0300 303 1611
If an incident has just happened, try and find somewhere you and they feel safe.
Talk
- Talk to them - If you feel able, talking things over can sometimes be a big help.
- Listen - Stay calm, be empathetic and show your concern. Try to listen without judging or directing.
- Give options - When they have finished talking ask them if they are okay to talk through some possible options and next steps. Allow the individual to stay in control of the conversation and of their decisions.
- Make sure you look after yourself and, if you need support, ask for it.
Support
Find out more about support options both within and outside the University for people who have or are experiencing domestic abuse.
Report
- Reporting to the University – They can choose to report with their contact details or anonymously using the buttons below. If they provide contact details then an advisor will contact them and be able to talk through the options and support available to them, in confidence.
- Choosing not to report - we appreciate that there are many reasons why someone may choose not to report, so it is important that we respect their decision. They can still access support from within the University and externally, free of charge, and without pressure to report.