Support services for abuse

National helplines

For everyone

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

• Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours, 7 days)
• Run by: Refuge
• For: Women experiencing domestic abuse
• Free, confidential, interpreters available
• Can help find refuge accommodation
• Live chat available: Monday-Friday 10am-10pm, weekends 10am-6pm
• Website: nationaldahelpline.org.uk

For men

Men’s Advice Line

• Phone: 0808 801 0327
• Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm
• For: Male victims of domestic abuse
• Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
• Website: mensadviceline.org.uk

ManKind Initiative

• Phone: 01onal 334 4244
• Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
• For: Male victims and their families
• Website: mankind.org.uk

For LGBTQ+ people

Galop – National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline

• Phone: 0800 999 5428
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-8:30pm, Friday 10am-4:30pm
• For: LGBTQ+ people experiencing abuse
• Email: help@galop.org.uk
• Website: galop.org.uk

For specific communities

Karma Nirvana

• Phone: 0800 5999 247
• For: Victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage
• Website: karmanirvana.org.uk

Southall Black Sisters

• Phone: 020 8571 0800
• For: Black and ethnic minority women
• Website: southallblacksisters.org.uk

Jewish Women’s Aid

• Phone: 0808 801 0500
• For: Jewish women experiencing domestic abuse
• Website: jwa.org.uk

IKWRO

• Phone: 020 7920 6460
• For: Middle Eastern, North African, and Afghan women
• Website: ikwro.org.uk

Refuges

Refuges are safe houses where women (and sometimes men) fleeing domestic abuse can stay with their children. They provide:

• Safe accommodation
• Support workers
• Help with housing, benefits, legal matters
• Children’s support
• Emotional support

Finding a refuge

The easiest way to find a refuge space is to call a national helpline:

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (for women)
• Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327 (for men)

They can search for spaces across the country – often you’ll need to move away from your local area for safety.

You usually can’t book in advance. If there’s a space, you may need to travel that day. The refuge can often arrange train tickets.

What to expect

• Shared accommodation (your own room, shared facilities)
• Support from workers
• Rules to keep everyone safe (confidentiality about the location, no bringing people back)
• Children are welcome
• Stays are temporary (usually a few weeks to a few months) while permanent housing is arranged

Local domestic abuse services

Most areas have local services that provide:

• Outreach support (help in your own home)
• Drop-in sessions
• Support groups
• Counselling
• Help with legal and housing matters
• Children’s support
• Advocacy

Find local services:

• Ask the National Domestic Abuse Helpline
• Search Women’s Aid directory: womensaid.org.uk
• Contact your local council
• Ask your GP

Legal help

National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV)

• Phone: 0800 970 2070
• Free help applying for injunctions
• Can do same-day emergency applications
• Website: ncdv.org.uk

Rights of Women

• Legal advice lines on domestic violence, family law, immigration
• Website: rightsofwomen.org.uk

Citizens Advice

• General advice including domestic abuse
• Website: citizensadvice.org.uk

Housing help

Shelter

• Phone: 0808 800 4444
• Housing advice and help
• Website: shelter.org.uk

Your local council

• Has a duty to help if you’re homeless due to domestic abuse
• Contact their housing or homelessness team

Support for children

NSPCC

• Phone: 0808 800 5000
• Childline: 0800 1111 (for children to call)
• Website: nspcc.org.uk

Cafcass

• If there are court proceedings about children, Cafcass represents children’s interests
• Website: cafcass.gov.uk

Perpetrator programmes

If you’re concerned about your own behaviour:

Respect Phoneline

• Phone: 0808 802 4040
• For people who are worried they’re being abusive
• Website: respectphoneline.org.uk

What to expect when you call

When you call a helpline, you’ll speak to a trained adviser who will:

• Listen without judgement
• Believe you
• Give you information about your options
• Respect your decisions
• Keep your call confidential
• Not pressure you to do anything you’re not ready for

You don’t have to have all the answers. You can call just to talk, even if you’re not sure what you want to do.

Safe Spaces

Several high street stores offer “Safe Spaces” – private rooms where you can access domestic abuse information and make calls for help:

• Boots pharmacies
• Superdrug
• Morrisons
• TSB banks
• Some other locations

Ask at the counter for the Safe Space or ask for “Ani.”