What support and information exists for people experiencing (or perpetrating) domestic violence and abuse?
Local domestic violence and abuse services are available in many areas.
- Women’s Aid www.womensaid.org.uk has an online Domestic Abuse Directory that can be filtered by region and local authority.
Other useful contacts for people experiencing domestic violence and abuse include:
- General
- Police Domestic Violence Officers — 0845 3300 222 (999 in an emergency).
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline — 0808 2000 247.
- Samaritans — 116 123 www.samaritans.org (available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair).
- Victim Support — 0808 1689 111 www.victimsupport.org.uk (free and confidential support for people affected by crime).
- For women experiencing domestic violence and abuse
- Refuge — 0808 2000 247 www.refuge.org.uk.
- For men experiencing domestic violence and abuse
- Men’s Aid — 0333 567 0556 www.mensaid.co.uk.
- Mankind — 01273 911680 www.mkcharity.org.
- ManKindInitiative — 01823 334244 www.mankind.org.uk.
- Respect — 0808 802 4040 www.respect.uk.net (offers information and advice to male victims of domestic abuse, their partners, ex-partners, friends, family, and frontline workers who come in contact with male victims in their work).
- Survivors UK — 0203 598 3898 www.survivorsuk.org (dedicated to helping the survivors of male rape and sexual abuse).
- For children
- The Hideout — www.thehideout.org.uk.
- ChildLine — 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk.
- For perpetrators of domestic violence
- Respect — 0808 802 4040 www.respect.uk.net (offers information and advice to male victims of domestic abuse, their partners, ex-partners, friends, family, and frontline workers who come in contact with perpetrators in their work).
- Specific groups
- Action on elder abuse — 0808 808 8141 www.elderabuse.org.uk.
- Broken rainbow — 0300 999 5428 www.broken-rainbow.co.uk (support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people experiencing domestic violence)
- Relate — www.relate.org.uk (offers a wide range of services for couples, families, and individuals, supporting them through all stages of their relationships)
- Southall Black Sisters — 0208 571 0800; www.southallblacksisters.org.uk (a not-for-profit organization established to provides information, advice, advocacy, practical help, counselling, and support to black [Asian and African-Caribbean] women and children experiencing domestic and sexual violence [including forced marriage and honour crimes])
- Legal advice
- National Centre for Domestic Violence — 0800 970 2070 www.ncdv.co.uk.
