Help and support for you
Police
In an emergency phone 999 to get immediate help and report a crime.
Every Police Station has a Police Community Safety Unit (CSU) which provide support for women who have experienced domestic violence – you can report an incident of domestic violence to them whether or not you intend to press charges. Ask for them through your local Police Station. Remember to dial 999 in an emergency.
National Helplines
These helplines will be able to give you confidential advice, support and information and will be able to find a refuge place for you and your children if you need to leave your home because of domestic violence
England
24Hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline – 0808 2000 247
run by Women’s Aid and Refuge
Northern Ireland
Women’s Aid 24 hour Helpline – 028 9033 1818
run by Northern Ireland Women's Aid Federation
Scotland
Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 027 1234
run by Scottish Women's Aid
Wales
Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 80 10 800
run by Welsh Women's Aid
Republic of Ireland
24 hour Helpline – 1800 341900
Regional Helplines
Manchester WA Helpline – 0161 839 8574
Nottingham WA Advice Centre – 0808 800 0340
SHE Helpline (East Anglia, Kent, East London) – 01702 300006
Specialist Helplines
Jewish Women’s Aid – 0800 591203
Women with learning difficulties – 0208 522 0675
There are also specialist refuge and/or advice services in some parts of the country for:
African and African Caribbean women
Asian women
Black women
Chinese women
Irish women
Muslim women
To contact any of these, phone the National or Regional helplines above for their numbers.
Freecall message home – 0500 700740
This is a confidential, non-traceable service for those who have left home but want to pass on a message to family and friends without communicating directly. Women escaping domestic violence can use this service without having to give details of where they are. This is a free service.
Legal Advice
Rights of Women (ROW) – 020 7251 6577
ROW has a legal advice line, which specialises in women’s issues, particularly domestic violence. They can give you details of good local solicitors as well as answering your legal queries.
Housing Advice
Shelter 24 hour free advice line – 0808 800 4444
Shelter give housing advice for anyone with housing problems.
Every local council has a Homeless Person’s Union (HPU) within their housing department. If you are experiencing domestic violence and need to move away from where you live, you can approach any HPU for assistance. Get the number of the relevant HPU from the local council or directory enquires.
Children
NSPCC free 24 hour Child Protection Helpline – 0800 800 500
If you have any concerns about the welfare of a child (either your own or someone else’s) you can talk to the NSPCC – if you want, they can help you make contact with Social Services or the Police if that is appropriate – you don’t have to give your details if you don’t want to.
Childline – 0800 1111
Childline is a phone support service for children
Children’s Legal Service – 01206 873 820
The Children Legal Service provide information about legal issues regarding children
Social Services
Social Services can investigate where there are concerns for the welfare of a child and can provide support for families in crisis. Get your local number from your town hall, directory enquiries.
Other support
Samaritans – 08457 90 90 90
If you are lonely, depressed, suicidal or just want to talk to someone, you can ring the Samaritans, in confidence, at any time of the day or night
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy – 0870 443 5252
For information on local counsellors and psychotherapists
Victim Support - 0845 30 30 900
Victim Support is the independent charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime. They provide free and confidential support and information to help you deal with your experience.
Same-sex domestic violence
Broken Rainbow– 0845 260 4460
Broken Rainbow provides an information and referral service for Lesbians, Gay men, Bisexuals and transgender people experiencing domestic violence
Survivors of Lesbian Abuse (SOLA) – 020 7328 7389
SOLA offer support for lesbian or bisexual women who are abused by a female partner
Booklist for women who have experienced domestic violence
Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men
Lundy Bancroft
Paperback - 432 pages
Berkley Publishing Group; Reprint edition (Sep 2003)
ISBN 0425191656
He says he loves you. So why does he do that? Now you have the chance to see inside the minds of angry and controlling men - and to change your life. In this groundbreaking book, a counsellor who specializes in working with abusive men shows you how to improve, survive, or leave an abusive relationship. You will learn about: the early warning signs, ten abusive personality types, the role of drugs and alcohol, what you can fix and what you can't, how to get out of a relationship safely.
A Woman in Your Own Right
Anne Dickson, Kate Charlesworth (Illustrator)
Paperback - 159 pages Reissue (20 October, 1982)
Quartet Books; ISBN: 0704334208
All My Fault
Dee Dee Glass
Paperback - 224 pages (20 June, 1994)
Virago Press; ISBN: 1853817961
Examines the economic, social, political, historical and psychological barriers that make leaving abusive relationships so difficult. The book includes practical advice from survivors and professionals, and an analysis drawn from the personal experiences of the author.
Getting Out: Life Stories of Women Who Left Abusive Men
Ann Goetting, Caroline Jory
Paperback 256 pages (June 2000)
Vision Paperbacks; ISBN: 1901250512
Each year in the UK more than 50,000 women and children flee their homes as a result of domestic violence. Many women are forced to seek restraining orders on their partners in order to protect themselves. This is one of the few accounts of how some women eventually find the courage to get up and leave. In a harrowing yet inspiring chronicle, Ann Goetting in the US and Caroline Jory in the UK tell of the women who got away for good. Getting Out recounts not only the stories their abuse but also the women’s life histories leading up to the violence – and the different resources they drew upon to escape. The authors explain that leaving is a process rather than an event, often marked along the way by reconciliation and the resumption of abuse. But the process invariably extends back to a critical point when the decision was made to leave. Such a life-affirming moment may follow a particularly appalling episode of abuse or come after a positive experiences at work or in parenting.
Leaving Abusive Partners
Catherine M. Kirkwood PhD (Editor)
Paperback - 224 pages (30 August, 1993)
Sage Publications Ltd; ISBN: 0803986866
Power and Control: Why Charming Men Can Make Dangerous Lovers
Cherie Booth QC (Foreword), Sandra Horley
Paperback 264 pages (21 February, 2002)
Vermilion; ISBN: 0091884322
One in four women will experience domestic violence; the incidence of violence on dates (not including rape) is increasing. Sandra Horley draws on over 20 years supporting abused women to provide an insight into the reality behind the mask of the charming man. The book's aim is to show women they are not alone and to help them walk away from the confusing, dangerous situation they find themselves in.
Surviving Domestic Violence : Voices of Women Who Broke Free
Elaine Weiss
Paperback - 224 pages 1 Ed (1 January, 2000)
Agreka Books; ISBN: 1888106964