There are many different terms surrounding domestic abuse, below is an explanation of some of them.
Gaslighting
Gaslighting is the manipulation of someone into questioning their own perception of reality. Trying to convince the victim they are going mad. Eg, you know you locked the door, they secretly unlock it then convince you it was you who left it unlocked. The expression derives from the title of the 1944 film Gaslight.
Love Bombing
Showering someone with excessive love and affection. Eg, ‘You are beautiful. I want to spend all my time with you. I love you. You are perfect. I want a baby with you. I am so lucky I have found you. They convince you that you need to spend all your time together, they can’t bear to be without you and you don’t need anyone else (friends, family) to make you happy.
Stone walling
Stonewalling is intentionally ignoring someone, used to manipulate and control someone, knowing that this lack of communication will be affecting their partners emotional health. This can also be unintentional, eg to avoid difficult or unwanted conversations so they avoid speaking.
Ghosting
Ghosting is completely cutting off communication without any explanation. It is used to avoid communication and often leaves the other person confused and wondering what they have done wrong. It can be an abrupt end to a relationship with no explanation and no ‘closure.’
Benching
Benching refers to new partners keeping their options open on social media in case something better comes along, they may have several potential partners on dating apps. This gives the victim false hope and as they are about to give up the other party re-appears to regain their interest.
Click here for more examples from the Safe Lives website
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Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, we are not an emergency service and are not available 24/7.
Always ring Greater Manchester Police on 999 if you’re in need of urgent help or are in danger.
Safe in Salford’s helpline & services are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
You can use the contact form below at any time and we will respond to you during opening hours.
Yes, all correspondence, in-person or over email or phone, is treated as completely confidential.
We will only break confidentiality if we believe yourself and/or a child is at risk or in danger or if there is criminal activity involved
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Yes, simply fill out the contact form below, send an email to info@safeinsalford.org.uk or ring us on 0161 793 3232
Unfortunately, we can only provide domestic abuse support in Salford.
You can get help from local services, press the button below to access Women’s Aid’s Local Service finder
Yes, Safe in Salford offers support for children and young people affected by domestic abuse in their families helping them in forming positive, healthy relationships.
Support can also be offered to young people displaying harmful behaviour in their own relationships.
Supporting someone experiencing domestic abuse can be difficult and complicated, please click the button below to read our advice on supporting someone.
Yes, Safe in Salford also provides confidential, non-judgemental Perpetrator Support for those who recognise their abusive behaviour as a problem and want to work on developing healthy relationships.
Yes, Safe in Salford is completely LGBTQ+/trans inclusive, and we will treat you and your identity with the utmost respect.
The “Get Help Now” section of our website contains information and resources for learning more about domestic abuse, please click the button below view it.
Leaving an abusive relationship can be very risky, our support workers can advise you on how to approach this. You can also refer to Women’s Aid’s article on this by clicking the button below.
