As Gypsies and Travellers live on the whole in a closed community, there is a tendency to try to resolve disputes within the extended family. For many issues this is an effective way of dealing with problems ” not so for domestic abuse.

Cultural expectations can also make it difficult for domestic abuse to be challenged, for example, belief that many men are violent and a woman has to accept such behaviour. Taboos also exist against interfering between spouses where abuse occurs and there are expectations that marriage is for life – women who leave marriage may be ostracised from their community.

The difficulties of Gypsies and Travellers living with domestic abuse can be made worse by attitudes and reactions of people outside their communities, Gypsy and Travellers may feel unable to contact the police or other agencies for support.

However there are a few specialist national organisations that can offer support alongside all the other general services that can support people affected by domestic abuse within Southend, Essex and Thurrock.

Content Listings

Hidden Harms Animation – recognising domestic abuse affecting older people

Domestic abuse can occur at any age. Research shows that domestic abuse affecting older people is often not recognised and under reported. Older people can be victims of interpersonal violence, or abuse by family members however we do not see older peo

One Voice 4 Travellers (OV4T)

One Voice 4 Travellers (OV4T) is a service that supports people within Gypsy, Travellers and Roma communities who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress caused by or associated with violence. OV4T work to support the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma

Essex Countywide Traveller Unit (ECTU)

The Essex Countywide Traveller Unit (ECTU) is a partnership of Essex County Council, local councils, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and Essex Police. Together, they support Gypsies and Travellers to access services, including: To improve the health outc

Friends, Families & Travellers

We aim to end racism and discrimination against Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, culture or background, whether settled or mobile, and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life. We investigate and expose un

Migrant Help EU Settlement Scheme advice and guidance

Migrant Help is rolling out a new service supporting vulnerable EU citizens in applying for the EU Settlement Status. EU citizens and their family members living in the UK need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021. This will ensure

COMPASS

Compass is a new Domestic Abuse Helpline to access Community Based Services and Specialist Accommodation in Essex. Online Chat now available! Please click here to find out more. Compass went live on 1st April 2019 and is the new point of access for vic

Changing Pathways

Changing Pathways are offering an online chat on their webpage, please click here to find out more. Changing Pathways is a place-based domestic abuse support charity that has been supporting survivors and their children in South Essex and Thurrock for

Safer Places

We support those who use/ need our services in their journey from risk and crisis to recovery and resilience. We are determined to promote recognition of Domestic Abuse and its impact, for individuals, families and communities. We will respond to Domes

Next Chapter

The Next Chapter are offering online chat on their webpage, please click here to find out more. The Next Chapter supports women, together with their children, who have suffered domestic abuse. We offer crisis accommodation and outreach support to help