Domestic abuse

Lockdown measures during Covid-19 increased the risk for vulnerable people in abusive relationships, and although those measures have now eased, many of them will still be living with their abusers, with nowhere else to go.

We want to encourage you to learn the signs to spot, so that if you do see or hear something, you can speak up and tell us what you know. 100% anonymously - guaranteed.

tell us what you know. 100% anonymous. Always.

In an emergency, always call 999. If it’s not an emergency and you’d prefer to stay anonymous, contact us online or on the phone by calling 0800 555 111, 100% anonymously - guaranteed.

As a bystander, family member, colleague or friend you may feel helpless when you know someone is a victim of domestic abuse. Whilst ultimately the victim will need to make the decision to leave the relationship themselves, we encourage you to report your suspicions. We will then pass on information to the relevant police force who, with partners, may be able to intervene away from the abuser to check the potential victim is OK.

if you are a victim of domestic abuse and want to know what help & support is available, both locally and nationally, tap or click here to find out more.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is behaviour from a family member, partner or ex-partner that is controlling, coercive, threatening, violent or abusive, and happens between people aged over 16.

Domestic abuse can happen to men or women. It includes the following types of abuse:

Psychological
Physical
Sexual
Financial or economic; find out more about this here
Emotional

There are many reasons victims of domestic abuse may not report abuse from partners themselves; learn more about these reasons here.

How do you know if someone is a victim of domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse warning signs include:

Their partner puts them down in front of other people
They are constantly worried about making their partner angry
They make excuses for their partner’s behavior
Their partner is extremely jealous or possessive
They have unexplained marks or injuries
They’ve stopped spending time with friends and family
They are depressed or anxious, or you notice changes in their personality

You may be a neighbour who may have seen or heard:

Threatening and intimidating arguments, which may involve violent language or escalate to smashing up the furniture
Arguments where the partner blames the other for their actions, saying they are “asking for it” or deserve the abuse
Individuals with bruising or other visible marks, which may have been caused by physical abuse

If you witnessed, or have information in relation to, domestic abuse, speak up and tell us what you know. You will remain 100% anonymous - we won’t even know who you are.

Did you see something, but didn’t say anything? You have a second chance to act and stand up for victims of domestic abuse.

tell us what you know. 100% anonymous. Always.

Perpetrators of abuse

Adults, no matter what their gender or sexual orientation, can also be perpetrators of abuse. It is estimated 1 in 4 perpetrators will reoffend.

If you think your behaviour is crossing the line into abuse, call the Respect Phoneline on 0808 802 4040 to get the help you need.

Are you a victim of domestic abuse?

Due to our anonymity guarantee, we can't take information from victims of crime. In an emergency, always call 999.

If it’s not an emergency and you don’t want to call the police, contact the 24hr freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 - available 7 days a week. The helpline is run by Refuge, a UK charity providing specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Live chat is available Monday-Friday 3-10pm via www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.

Further national help and support

Men's advice line run by Respect - 0808 801 0327 - is a confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic abuse from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members).

Women's Aid is a grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services and build a future where domestic violence is not tolerated. Women’s Aid services include: ***the Women's Aid Live Chat (open Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 12pm); ***the Women’s Aid email service, ***the Survivors' Forum and ***the Survivors' Handbook, which can all be found here.

Victim Support - 08 08 16 89 111 - is an independent charity in England and Wales that provides specialist practical and emotional support to victims and witnesses of crime.

Galop is the UK’s only specialist LGBT+ anti-violence charity who have a National LGBT+ domestic abuse Helpline - 0800 999 5428.

For a further list of organisations who can offer you help and advice about domestic abuse, visit www.gov.uk/domestic-abuse.

The Silent Solution helps people who are unable to speak, but who genuinely need police assistance. If you’re in an emergency situation and need police help, but can’t speak, Make Yourself Heard and let the 999 operator know your call is genuine.

The Ask for ANI scheme, active in thousands of independent pharmacies and Boots stores across the country, allows those at risk or suffering from abuse to discreetly signal that they need help and access support. By asking for ANI, a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services such as a national or local domestic abuse helplines.

Victims of domestic abuse can go to Safe Spaces for somewhere to collect their thoughts, contact a helpline or find a local support service.

Bright Sky is a free mobile app and webpage that supports anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know. It’s available in English, Welsh, Urdu, Punjabi and Polish. Visit the website or click here to download the app via Apple, or here to download the app via Google Play. Remember, only download the app or visit the webpage if it is safe for you to do so.

Further help and support local to you

Scotland

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline. 0800 027 1234. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Help for domestic abuse. Emergency options and longer-term help for victims of domestic abuse and violence, and details of organisations which can provide further help.

Find out where to get support in Scotland.

Victim Support Scotland - 0800 160 1985 - is the leading charity dedicated to helping people affected by crime across Scotland.

Scottish Women’s Aid. The lead organisation in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse, playing a vital role co-ordinating, influencing and campaigning for effective responses to domestic abuse.

Wales

Live Fear Free Helpline. Providing help and advice about violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Domestic abuse help & support.

Welsh Women's Aid. The national charity in Wales working to end violence against women and girls in all its forms.

Safer Wales. Support for male victims of domestic abuse or domestic violence in Wales. Call the Dyn Wales Helpline for support and advice on 0808 801 0321 (open Monday to Friday 9am–5pm).

Northern Ireland

24 hour domestic and sexual abuse helpline (operated by Nexus).
Free and confidential service offering help and support to male and female victims and survivors, and those with concerns. Call free on 0808 802 1414, visit the website, or email: help@dsahelpline.org.

Domestic Violence and Abuse Disclosure Scheme. If you’re worried that your partner or the partner of someone you know has a history of domestic abuse, you can ask the police to check for you through the Domestic Violence and Abuse Disclosure Scheme. The scheme is for men and women.

Victim Support NI. Supporting victims and witnesses of crime, and providing specialist support for victims of sexual violence (ISVA service). Contact their Hubs in Belfast: 028 9024 3133 or Foyle: 028 7137 0086, or email isva@victimsupportni.org.uk.

Men's Advisory Project. Providing listening, confidential and group counselling, legal advice and other services to men who face abuse. Call 028 9024 1929 or 028 7116 0001, email info@mapni.co.uk or visit the website.

Men’s Alliance Northern Ireland. A unique private user-led peer support group on Facebook dedicated to male victims and survivors of domestic abuse in Northern Ireland. Signposting to support services available.
Email: Info@MensAllianceNI.co.uk.

Nexus NI. Sexual trauma charity offering specialist counselling, information, and support to anyone affected by any form of sexual assault, rape or violence. Providing counselling services to women, men and children aged 8-16 years.

Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland. Offering a range of specialist support services to women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, including emergency accommodation. Local groups' contact details here. A webchat service is available Monday to Friday 10am- 12 noon. Visit here and click the icon on the lower right hand corner.

NSPCC. Domestic Abuse Recovering Together service is delivered from the Belfast Service Centre. Call 028 2044 1650 or email BelfastSCemail@nspcc.org.uk.

The Rainbow Project. Providing help for the LGBTQ community affected by domestic abuse. Call 028 9031 9030, email info@rainbow-project.org or visit the website.

North East England

Harbour works with families and individuals who are affected by abuse from a partner, former partner or other family member. They work across the North East of England, with services in County Durham, Hartlepool, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland, Darlington, Northumberland and North Tyneside. Telephone 03000 20 25 25 (24 hours), email info@myharbour.org.uk.

Acorns offer a range of services to support families affected by domestic abuse in North Tyneside and Northumberland. For information or to make a referral, telephone 0191 349 8366, text a question on 07712 862 858 or email admin@acornsproject.org.uk.

The Halo Project is a specialist charity based in Cleveland supporting Black and minoritised (BME) victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and hidden harms – which include Female Genital Mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based abuse. Contact their Specialist Support Hub on 01642 683 045 (9am-5pm), via email at info@haloproject.org.uk or via the live chat function on their website.

Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services (NDAS) is here to support anyone affected by any type of domestic violence or abuse. They aim to raise awareness within communities and in wider society, to challenge abusive behaviours, tackle stigma and shift norms around violence and abuse. Telephone 01434 60 80 30.

Newcastle Women’s Aid offers help, advice and support to women and girls at risk from domestic abuse. Freephone 0800 923 2622 or telephone 0191 261 0504.

Wearside Women in Need provides accessible community-based services to women and children at risk of, or suffering, abuse across Wearside. 24 hour Helpline: 0800 066 5555.

Durham Pride have fully qualified volunteers who can help if you’ve been a victim of same sex domestic and/or sexual violence and abuse, hate crime or bullying at any time in your life. They offer free support and advice to over 18’s. LGBT+ helpline open Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm 0333 772 7724. Text any time on 0746 222 5091 for a call back at a time to suit you.

Wear Valley Women’s Aid offers women and their children who have experienced domestic abuse temporary accommodation in a crisis, practical support and advice, alongside specialist help to deal with the emotional impact of their experiences. 01388 600094 / 07946 190203. National helpline: 0808 2000 247.

North West England

If you would like help or support in Cheshire, please visit this dedicated website for services in your local area.

If you would like help or support in Cumbria, please visit this dedicated website for services in your local area.

Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline. 0800 254 0909 Open for anyone over the age of 16 who is experiencing or has previously experienced domestic abuse & violence in any form.

Help, advice and support for those who are experiencing domestic abuse or have experienced domestic abuse.

Safenet. Offering information, support and safe accommodation for anyone in Lancashire affected by domestic abuse, stalking and ‘honour-based’ abuse. 0300 3033 581.

Yorkshire

IDAS - safe lives, free from abuse and violence. For local support, please contact IDAS online or via their helpline: 03000 110 110 (North Yorkshire / Barnsley), 0808 808 2241 (Sheffield).

East Midlands

The Elm Foundation are there to help anyone who believes they are a victim of domestic abuse. They provide a range of services and much-needed support to any man, woman or child affected by domestic abuse in Derbyshire, and can be contacted on the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline: call 08000 198 668 or text
07534 617 252.

The Willow Project, part of Rural Action Derbyshire, delivers awareness training throughout Derbyshire, which helps people identify the signs of domestic abuse, gives them the confidence to report it and also helps to challenge attitudes that perpetuate domestic abuse, particularly in rural areas. To get in touch, call 01629 592970 or email willowproject@ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk.

Freeva. Registered charity working towards reducing domestic violence, rape and sexual assault in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. Support helpline (the 'front door' to all other local domestic abuse support services): 0808 80 200 28 (open 8am – 8pm, Monday to Friday, 10am – 4 pm weekends and Bank Holidays). Also run The Jenkins Centre, offering an integrated domestic abuse service to support people who have used abuse in their relationships to change their behaviour, whilst also offering support to their (ex) partners.

Living Without Abuse. Offering information and advice to anyone experiencing domestic abuse and/or sexual violence, as well as providing support services to anyone living in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland. Outreach Services: 0808 80 200 28.

Panahghar. Provides free and dedicated BME multi-lingual support, advice and advocacy, and access to safe refuge for survivors of domestic abuse in Leicester. 24hr helpline: 0800 055 6519.

Women’s Aid Leicestershire. National 24hr helpline: 0808 2000 247. Local helpline: 0808 80 200 28.

EDAN Lincs Domestic Abuse Service provides safe, emergency, temporary accommodation and support to any male or female – with or without children – experiencing domestic abuse. Their Outreach Support service can assist women, men and children who are still living in, or have recently left, an abusive relationship who need advice and assistance. Call 01522 510041 or email info@ldass.org.uk.

Victim Lincs provides free confidential advice and guidance if you have been the victim of crime. They can outline the different support options available, and make referrals to specialist coping and recovery services. Call 01522 212333.

Boston Women’s Aid – provides support, advice and safe housing for victims of domestic abuse across South Lincolnshire. We support men, women and children who are living with or have experienced domestic abuse. Contact us on 01205 311272, email admin@bostonwa.co.uk.

Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Services (NDAS) support women, men, children and young people who have been affected by domestic abuse, offering refuge for women and men, as well as specialist refuges for women with diverse cultural needs and women with substance misuse issues. They also provide outreach support and groupwork programmes for victims and children. For support, call 0300 0120154 or email advice@ndas-org.co.uk. Online chat is also available via www.ndas.co.

Voice is a free, confidential and non-judgemental support service to help victims of crime living in Northamptonshire to cope, recover and thrive. They can provide a range of support services to meet individual needs, and their specialist domestic and sexual abuse support workers work to understand the specific support required by each victim. Their services are available to anyone affected by crime, regardless of whether or not it was reported to the police, and irrespective of when or where it occurred. Contact Voice on 0300 303 1965 or visit www.voicenorthants.org.

Eve works with survivors of domestic abuse, and has developed a range of services for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse, and for male and female perpetrators of domestic abuse. Eve’s services include: Refuge, a place of safety for women and children escaping domestic abuse; a community support service for women and families living in their own accommodation; a long-term therapeutic rehabilitation and recovery programme; children’s services; and a perpetrator programme. Contact Eve’s helpline on 01604 230311, text on 07827 239 496 or email eve2eve@eve.org.uk - or go to the website.

Juno's 24-hour domestic and sexual violence helpline offers support to women, teenage girls and children who have been affected by domestic or sexual abuse. Visit the website, or call their 24 hour helpline on 0808 800 0340.

Provides an extensive range of services for women, young people and children. Visit their website or call 01909 491330.

Equation is a Nottingham-based specialist charity that works with the whole community to reduce the impact of domestic abuse, sexual violence and gender inequality, offering help for men, women and children.

Broxtowe Women's Project offers help for women living in the borough of Broxtowe experiencing domestic abuse. Provides a confidential helpline and training courses aimed at empowering women and to help them survive domestic abuse. Call 01773 719 111.

The Nottingham Independent Domestic Abuse Service supports women and families with all aspects of domestic abuse. Call 01623 683 250.

South East England

To find local domestic abuse support services in Kent and Medway, visit domesticabuseservices.org.uk.

Contact Victim Support (Kent) on 0808 168 9276.

Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership (SDAP) is a group of independent charities who work together across the whole of Surrey to ensure that survivors of domestic abuse are safe, and to build a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated.

Your Sanctuary delivers the Surrey Domestic Abuse helpline: 01483 776822 - 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week. Also offers sanctuary, support and empowerment to anyone affected by domestic abuse.

Find out more about domestic abuse from Surrey County Council here. The Council is also promoting the fact that businesses and organisations should have an internal policy detailing how they support staff affected by domestic abuse. Find out more here.

East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services. There to help anyone who lives or works in the East Surrey area who has experienced, or is experiencing, domestic abuse. 01737 771350.

North Surrey Domestic Abuse Services. Free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to anyone aged 16 or above affected by domestic abuse living in the boroughs of Epsom & Ewell, Elmbridge or Spelthorne. 01932 260 690.

Safe Space Sussex. Reach out easily for support from this online directory of local victim services.

Safe in Sussex. Registered charity providing help and support for people affected by domestic abuse in West Sussex. Helpline available Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm: 01903 896202. Online chat available Monday to Friday 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

My Sister's House. Support for women who are living with or are in recovery from domestic abuse.

WORTH Services have teams of domestic violence advisors across West Sussex available 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) 9am-5pm to help you, with quick access to interpreters. Call 07834 968539 or email: DomesticAbuseServicesCentral@westsussex.gov.uk.

South West England

To find local domestic abuse support services in Wiltshire, visit Splitz.

Visit Swindon Borough Council's website for information, help and advice about domestic abuse in Swindon.

Nextlink. Domestic abuse support services across the West Country. 0800 470 0280.

Contact the Somerset Domestic Abuse Support helpline: 0800 69 49 999. Or email the Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service on SIDAS@Somerset.gov.uk. Opening Hours – 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday.

Employers - you have the power to help protect your employees

Employers have a duty to safeguard the wellbeing of staff: the statutory guidance accompanying the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 makes clear that employers should consider the impact of domestic abuse on their employees as part of their duty of care.

However, research by the Vodafone Foundation found that only 5% of employers had introduced a specific policy or guideline on the issue.

We know that when employers take action to respond to domestic abuse, it saves lives.

The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) is a free-to-join members' network of employers, supporting over 1,500 large and small businesses across the UK to take effective action on domestic abuse. EIDA raises awareness of domestic abuse; supports employers with resources and guidance to take effective action; brings employers together to inspire and learn from each other; and works with government, domestic abuse expert service providers, and academics to provide the latest guidance and to champion change.

Employers have a duty of care to safeguard their employees impacted by domestic abuse. The workplace may be a person’s only safe space.

Join EIDA’s network of employers here, to change and save the lives of people in your workplace affected by domestic abuse.

Download the Domestic abuse Toolkit for employers here.

Hestia’s Everyone’s Business Advice Line

It can be difficult to know how to respond to concerns around domestic abuse, even more so when working apart.
The Everyone’s Business Advice Line, run by domestic abuse charity Hestia, is a free and confidential resource where employers can get advice on effectively responding to disclosures of domestic abuse by their employees, and signpost them to the appropriate specialist domestic abuse support services.

The Everyone’s Business Advice Line is available to all employers from 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday, and can be contacted on 07770 480437 or via email at Adviceline.EB@hestia.org.