Angus Partnership on Domestic Abuse
Working together to end domestic abuse
Angus Partnership on Domestic Abuse (APODA) is a multi-agency partnership which co-ordinates services from voluntary and statutory agencies who provide support to those experiencing domestic abuse.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is the physical, emotional, sexual or mental abuse of one person by another, with whom they have or have had an intimate relationship.
Domestic abuse is very common: it can happen to anyone, regardless of age, social class, race, disability or lifestyle. Domestic abuse can start at any point, even many years after you first met.
Domestic abuse is rarely a one-off event. Physical abuse often escalates in frequency and severity over time. However, the abuse can take many forms and even though the physical or sexual abuse may not happen regularly, other forms of abusive or controlling behaviour may be ongoing, so that you always feel off-balance or anxious.
Acknowledging that you are experiencing domestic abuse is an important step in preventing and stopping the abuse. All forms of abuse - psychological, financial, emotional, sexual and physical - come from the abuser's desire to maintain power and control over another person.
What you can do if you are experiencing domestic abuse
- Recognise that it is happening to you.
- Accept that you are not to blame.
- Get help and support.
APODA - Winners of 2008 Angus Council Excellence Award
for Team/Partnership Building
Members of the APODA Committee
Arbroath Football Club. Left to right John McGlashan, Manager, Players, Paul Watson and Scott Morrison, Chairman, John Christison and Angus Partenrship on Domestic Abuse Coordinator, Mark Watson.
Read more about local football clubs' support for the White Ribbon Campaign.
Monifieth and District Rotary Club support the White Ribbon Campaign 2007.
From left to right, Mike McGreavey, Monifieth and District Rotary Club,
Mark Watson, APODA Co-ordinator and Nick Day, President,
Monifieth and District Rotary Club.
Tayside Domestic Abuse Multiple and Complex Needs Project - Children's Photography Exhibition held in the Café Project Arbroath.
Dawn Wilson, Barnardos, Evelyn Allardyce, Chair of APODA, Mark Watson, APODA Co-ordinator and Carole McFadden, Angus Women's Aid.
Councillor Frank Ellis with Cathie Burton and Mark Watson, Angus Partnership on Domestic Abuse at launch of Domestic Abuse publicity event involving Angus Council Bin Lorries December 2006
APODA Co-ordinator Mark Watson, Angus Lord Provost Bill Middleton and Angus Council Chief Executive David Sawers at the launch of the White Ribbon campaign in Angus 2006
Mark Watson, APODA Co-ordinator, Peter Bates, Chairman, NHS Tayside, Angus Lord Provost Bill Middleton and Drew Walker, Director of Public Health, NHS Tayside