About us Terminology Terminology (A-Z) We have included below a list of terms which encompasses the wide range of work that we do. From the support we provide through domestic abuse shelters and supported accommodation, to the advocacy work we do in sectors such as modern slavery. This is not an exhaustive list, and we will be continuously adding to it. Abuse Abuse is mistreatment by any other person or persons that violates a person's human and civil rights. It can be physical, emotional, financial, sexual, material, psychological, discriminatory, institutional or neglect. Advocate Advocacy seeks to give the service users a voice, the ability to speak out, to express their views and to defend their rights. An advocate is there to help out when someone needs assistance in doing these things. Coercive behaviour Coercive behaviour is defined by the Home Office as: an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. Controlling behaviour Controlling behaviour is defined by the Home Office as: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour. Co-production Co-production is the active acknowledgement of partnership within service provision. Building on the core principle of recognising service users as assets and a focus on building community and social capital, co-production allows for service users to be involved in the design and provision. Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for welfare and pension policy and is a key player in tackling child poverty. It is the biggest public service delivery department in the UK and serves over 20 million customers. Domestic Abuse (DA) Domestic abuse is defined by the Home Office as: Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or 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. This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse: - psychological - physical - sexual - financial - emotional - 'Honour’ based violence - Female genital mutilation (FGM) - Forced marriage Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) FGM is a procedure in which the female genitals are intentionally cut, injured, or changed, without a medical justification. Its commonly carried out before puberty, and can cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth, and mental health. Its also known as sunna, halalays, tahur, gudiin, khitan, and megrez, among others. Financial / Economic Abuse Financial or economic abuse is a form of domestic abuse, in which the perpetrator uses or misuses money to control and limit a persons current or future freedom. It could be withholding money, or using credit cards, gambling their partners money, and putting standing orders in their name without permission. Floating Support Floating Support services are not linked to a particular accommodation, but are provided to members of the community who may need extra support. Forced Labor Forced labor is defined by the International Labor Organization as “work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily.” Gaslighting Gaslighting is a type of emotional abuse, in which the abuser seeks to manipulate their victim into questioning the validity of their own thoughts, memories, or perception of reality. This often leads to confusion, a decline in confidence and self-esteem, and a dependency on the perpetrator. The expression derives from a 1938 play called "Gas Light", in which a husband manipulates his wife into believing she is losing her sanity, in order to steal her inheritance. Harassment Harassment is the behaviour towards a person which causes emotional or mental distress. This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following: - comments or threats - unwanted messages, texts, calls, emails, or letters - damage to property - standing outside someone's property, or driving past it - acts of violence Honour-based Violence Honour-based violence, or abuse, is a crime or incident committed to protect or defend the 'honour' of a family or community. If someone's family or community believes they have embarrassed or shamed them by behaving in a particular way (i.e. having sex before marriage, engaging in a relationship with someone outside of their faith, wearing 'inappropriate' clothing etc.), they may punish them for breaking the 'honour' code. Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) An IDVA addresses the safety of victims at high risk of harm from intimate partners, ex-partners or family members, in order to secure their safety and the safety of their children. Serving as a victim’s primary point of contact, IDVAs normally work with their clients from the point of crisis to assess the level of risk. They also discuss the range of suitable options leading to the creation of a workable safety plan. IDVAs support and work over the short to medium term to put victims on the path to long term safety, and receive specialist accredited training, which holds a nationally recognised qualification.# Mental Health Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Lots of factors can impact our mental health; including genes, life events, trauma, abuse, and lifestyle. Modern Slavery Modern slavery is a serious crime in which people are coerced or deceived into a situation where they are exploited, for the purpose of making a profit. It can take many forms including trafficking for sexual exploitation (including prostitution, strip clubs, escort work and pornography), domestic servitude (including working as cleaners, carers or nannies) and forced labour in work such as nail bars and car washes. Negging Negging is a form of emotional abuse which seeks to undermine a person's self esteem. This can be done through the use of backhanded compliments, competing to one-up the other person, the use of rhetorical questions ('You're not going to wear that are you?'), criticism framed as constructive criticism, and comparing the person to others in a negative way. No recourse to public funds (NRTPF) Depending on their immigration status, some service users may not have a right to access benefits such as housing benefits. This is called 'no recourse to public funds'. Refuge Hestia's refuges offer protection, information, support and accommodation for women fleeing domestic abuse, with or without children. They can be like a big family home or have several units. Revenge porn Revenge Porn is the sharing of private, sexual materials, either photographs or videos, of another person without their consent. Safe House Hestia Safe Houses offer sanctuary and accommodation for victims of modern slavery at a secret address. There, they will receive support from our trained caseworkers. Safe Spaces UK SAYS NO MORE is working with Boots, Morrisons pharmacies, Superdrug pharmacies, Well pharmacies, independent pharmacies, HSBC and TSB banks across the UK to provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse. They provide a safe and discrete way to reach out to friends and family, and contact specialist support services. Sexual Harassment Sexual Harassment is any unwelcomed sexual advances, request for sexual favours or verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature. This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following: - This could be unwanted flirting, ‘banter’ - Sexually degrading comments or gestures - Inappropriate questions i.e. sex life, sexuality etc - Offensive jokes or propositions i.e offering rewards for sexual favours - Touching someone in anyway against their will - Someone showing you explicit pictures Sexual Violence Sexual Violence is a term used to encompass any type of unwanted sexual act or activity, including rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse and many others. Sexual Violence can be perpetrated by a stranger or by someone known like a friend, family member, partner or colleague. Stalking Stalking is the following, watching, or spying of a person, or forcing contact with them, either physically or via other means (phone, social media etc.). This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following: - regularly following someone - hanging around places they know the person often visits - repeatedly going to the persons home, uninvited - watching / spying - monitoring the persons internet use - interfering with the persons property Trafficking Human trafficking is the recruitment or transportation of people for exploitation by the use of threat, force, fraud, or abuse. It can happen to men, woman, and children, from any background, and can occur over international borders, or only within one country. UK SAYS NO MORE Hestia is the UK home of UK SAYS NO MORE - a national campaign against domestic abuse and sexual violence. Manage Cookie Preferences