here - Health Promotion Agency

Feelings and relationships
DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE
If you need urgent help
contact the following:
National Domestic
Violence helpline
Freephone 0808 2000 247
Women’s Aid Federation
of England
www.womensaid.org.uk
Northern Ireland
Women’s Aid Federation
(028) 9033 1818
24-hour helpline
DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE
One in four women experience
domestic violence at some point in
their lives. This may take the form
of physical, sexual, emotional or
psychological abuse. Thirty per cent
of this abuse starts in pregnancy and
existing abuse may worsen during
pregnancy or after birth. Domestic
violence should not be tolerated.
It risks your health and that of your
baby before and after birth.
You can speak in confidence
to your GP, midwife, obstetrician,
health visitor or social worker.
If you wish, they can help you
take steps to stop the abuse or to
seek refuge. You may prefer to
contact one of the organisations
listed under domestic violence at
the back of this book (pages 148-
149), again in confidence.
BEREAVEMENT
The death of someone you love can
turn your world upside down and is
one of the most difficult experiences
to endure. This may be harder to
cope with if you are pregnant or
have just had a baby.
Family and friends can help you
by spending time with you if you
have been bereaved. A sympathetic
arm around the shoulders can
express love and support when
words are not enough.
Grief is not just one feeling but a
whole succession of feelings which
take time to get through and which
cannot be hurried. If you need help
or advice, you can contact your GP
or any of the organisations listed on
page 149.
IF YOUR PARTNER DIES
46
BENEFITS AVAILABLE IF YOUR PARTNER HAS DIED
•
For advice, you may find the following leaflets produced by the
Department of Work and Pensions (Social Security Agency in
Northern Ireland) helpful:
Widowed? (GL14)
New Bereavement Benefits (Northern Ireland)
Your Guide to our Services (Northern Ireland)
Help with Funeral Expenses from the Social Fund
(SFFSSA)
A Guide to the Social Fund (S16)*
• Read Chapter 18 for advice about the following:
Income Support
Working Tax Credit
Child Benefit
•
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Benefit
Child Tax Credit
If you were married and your partner worked, you may be entitled to
Widowed Parent’s Allowance, based on their National Insurance
contributions.
•
If you weren’t married, you will not be classed as a widow/er and
will therefore be dependent on your private arrangements or Income
Support or Working Tax Credit, if you work.
• If you are very short of money you may be able to get some help with
the funeral expenses from the Social Fund. It is always worth talking
to your undertaker or religious adviser to see if they can help.
For more information, contact your Jobcentre Plus/Social Security
Office/Jobs & Benefits office or look at www.dsdni.gov.uk
*Available to download only, from www.dsdni.gov.uk
If your partner dies during your
pregnancy or soon after childbirth, you
will feel emotionally numb. It is like
no other loss. It is not something
you get over, more that you learn,
eventually, to live with.
Don’t be afraid to lean on family
and friends. If your partner was
going to be with you at the birth,
you will need to think about who
will be with you instead. Try to
choose someone who knows you
very well.
Financially, you may need urgent
advice and support. You can get
the leaflets suggested (see box) from
your local Jobcentre Plus/Social
Security Office/Jobs & Benefits
office.
As well as speaking to friends,
family and social services, you
may like to contact Cruse or
Widwods (see page 149).