Seeking help for you or a loved one
All forms of domestic abuse are not acceptable in any situation.
If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic abuse and feel frightened of, or controlled by, a partner or ex-partner, it’s not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help.
National support hotlines and websites
If you or your loved one is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you can’t speak and are calling on a mobile press 55 to have your call transferred to the police. Find out how to call the police when you can’t speak.
For free, confidential advice, 24 hours a day contact one of the domestic abuse helplines listed below.
England
Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline >> visit site
Phone: 0808 2000247 or >> live chat
Northern Ireland
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline >> visit site
Phone: 0808 802 1414 or email: help@dsahelpline.org
Scotland
Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline >> visit site
Phone: 0800 027 1234 or email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Wales
Live Fear Free >> visit site
Phone: 0808 80 10 800 or email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales
UK wide
Women’s Aid local support services directory >> visit site
Live chat service or email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
The Men’s Advice Line >> visit site
Phone: 0808 8010327 or email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Find safe spaces
Safe Spaces are also available in Boots, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK. Once you are inside, specialist domestic abuse support information will be available for you to access. Many Safe Spaces are also prepared to respond to the ‘Ask for ANI’ codeword, to provide victims with a discreet way to access help calling the police on 999 or specialist support services.
Check whether someone has an abusive past
If you are concerned that a new, former or existing partner has an abusive past you can ask the police to check under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (also known as ‘Clare’s Law’). This is your ‘right to ask’. If records show that you may be at risk of domestic abuse, the police will consider disclosing the information. A disclosure can be made if it is legal, proportionate and necessary to do so.
If you are concerned about a friend or family member, you can apply for a disclosure on behalf of someone you know.
You can make a request to the police for information about a person’s previous violent offending in person at the police station or elsewhere, by telephone, by email, online or as part of a police investigation. Support agencies and services can also help you ask the police about this.
Get help if you think you might be an abuser
If you are concerned about your behaviour or the behaviour of someone you know, there is support available.
The Respect Phoneline is an anonymous and confidential helpline for men and women who are abusing their partners and families. It is open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm. The helpline also takes calls from partners or ex-partners, friends and relatives who are concerned about perpetrators.
A webchat service is available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 11am and from 3pm to 4pm.
Phone: 0808 802 4040
How to call the police when you can’t speak
If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999 and listen to the questions from the operator and, if you can, respond by coughing or tapping on the handset.
Call 999 from a mobile
If prompted, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard and this will transfer your call to the police. Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.
Call 999 from a landline
If the operator can only hear background noise and cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, you will be connected to a police call handler.
If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick up again.
When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about your location should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.
If you are deaf or can’t use a phone
You can register with the emergencySMS. Text REGISTER to 999. You will get a text which tells you what to do next. Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger.
How to help a friend if they’re being abused
If you are worried that a friend, neighbour or loved one is a victim of domestic abuse then you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and confidential advice, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm to someone, or it is an emergency, you should always call 999.