Domestic abuse support

We are dedicated and are committed to supporting those affected by any form of domestic abuse. This page gives guidance, support and advice to anyone experiencing this crime.

Click here to immediately exit this page

IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 999

  • If you are in immediate danger always call 999 and ask for the Police
  • If you can’t speak call 999 followed by 55 when the operator answers (or tap or cough into the phone) this will alert the operator and the police to respond
  • Abuse 24 hour Support Helpline – 0808 2000 247.

Domestic abuse can affect men and women of any age, from any culture or religion. It can happen within the family, or within a heterosexual or same sex relationship (or not in a relationship at all). Victims may live with or apart from their abuser.

We have put together this simple guide to help those who are suffering domestic abuse, or for those who are concerned about someone else who might be.

Click here to jump down to our FAQ section

Hide this website

Click to immediately navigate away from this page

Find support

Explore different places to find support

Read our Domestic Abuse policy

If home isn’t safe, support is available

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence, you can get help

For more information visit www.cambsdasv.org.uk

A survivors story

Watch a powerful new film from Refuge.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is defined as violence or abuse, commonly to maintain power and control over a current or former partner in a family or close relationship. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion or background. It can take many forms, ranging from violent physical harm, through to coercive and threatening behaviours, intended to provoke fear , guilt and control over a victim. It can also affect any children living in a household. Most can fall into one of the following types:

  • Physical
  • Sexual
  • Emotional or psychological
  • Assaults and Threats – This is a criminal offence and you need to report it to the police immediately by dialling 999. Find out more information on how to report Assaults and Threats on our Safeguarding page
  • Neighbours arguing or shouting – If you are concerned about the wellbeing of your neighbours, including any children who live in the property, then you must report it
  • Verbal
  • Financial.
A number of these types of abuse could be happening at the same time within an intimate relationship.

Click to immediately navigate away from this page

How can bpha help?

We have updated our Domestic Abuse policy that has improved the way domestic abuse incidents are identified, reported and responded to.

We’ll listen to you, believing what you tell us, and will contact you safely, in a way and time that suits you.

We’ll treat what you tell us confidentially but, if we’re concerned that someone is at risk of serious harm, we do have to pass this information on to the police.

We’ll be clear about what we can do and we’ll help you find specialist support. If you want to take action against your abuser, we can support you.

We will refer you to other organisations for more support and see where we can improve the security of you home if you do not wish to leave.  We can refer you to the council for temporary accommodation if you do want to leave your home, or offer you a transfer to one of our properties in another borough if you cannot remain in your home.

We can offer you support, so please contact us on 0330 100 0272.

We will arrange a private, confidential interview within one working day, and will provide appropriate advice, assistance and support.

Click to immediately navigate away from this page

If you've witnessed or suspect domestic abuse

It is important to remember that not all abuse is physical and that anybody from any gender and age can be a victim or perpetrator of abuse.

The abuse can be physical, psychological, sexual, financial or emotional, or could be in the form of ‘honour’ based violence, including forced marriage or female genital mutilation (FGM). It’s rarely a one-off incident and tends to get worse over time.

Some victims of abuse may have bruising, cuts, or broken bones. However in many cases the abuse can be emotional or coercive and harder to spot and if you are concerned about someone who may be experiencing abuse, they may withdraw or become distant.

It is important to remember that perpetrators of abuse can be extremely clever at covering their tracks. They are unlikely to be physically violent in public and may often be very pleasant towards others, often making the victim appear as though they are unreasonable or difficult to live with. If you believe that someone may be suffering abuse, you should trust your instinct. If something doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t and you should report your concerns.

What should you do if you’ve witnessed, or suspect someone to be the victim of domestic abuse?

  • Spot the signs of domestic abuse
  • If you think that someone is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.
  • Try talking to the victim directly. Listen, believe and support.
  • Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 for guidance.
  • If you have concerns about the welfare of children, call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000
  • Do not confront the abuser.

Before you act, go to the Neighbourhood Watch’s Toolkit, for more information and advice on what to do if you suspect someone to be the victim of domestic abuse.

Click to immediately navigate away from this page

Cover your tracks online

If you are worried about someone discovering you have been visiting websites regarding domestic abuse, please take a few minutes to read the information below and to take steps to increase your safety when visiting a web page.

If you do not use a password to log on to your computer, someone else will be able to access your email and track your internet usage. All of the above information may not completely hide your tracks, so the safest way to find information on the internet would be at a local library, a friend’s house, or at work.

Private browsing

All leading web browsers have a “private browsing” mode that, once enabled, stores nothing about your activity on your computer in that browsing window. This won’t stop online services from seeing what you get up to, but it won’t leave any traces of your activity on your computer (no history, web cache or anything else) and so it’s always a useful first step to take.

Internet Explorer: Go to Safety – Tools – “InPrivate Browsing”.

Firefox: Click the Menu button with three horizontal lines – “New Private Window”.

Chrome: Click the Menu button with three horizontal lines and select “New Incognito Window”.

Similar options can be found in Opera and Safari.

Deleting internet history

Internet browsers also keep a record of all the web pages you visit. This is known as a ‘history’.

To delete history for Internet Explorer and Firefox hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard, then press the H key (Ctrl, Alt and H for Opera).

Chrome

On the top right, click the 3 dots. Click History. History. On the left, click Clear browsing data. From the drop-down menu, select how much history you want to delete.
Check the boxes for the info you want Chrome to clear, including “browsing history.” Click Clear data.

Internet Explorer / Microsoft Edge

Click on the Tools menu and select Internet Options. On the General page, under Temporary Internet Files, click on Delete Cookies and then OK. Click on Delete Files, put a tick in the box labelled Delete all offline content and click OK. Under History, click on Clear History and then OK. Now look at the top of the window and click on the Content tab, select AutoComplete and finally, Clear Forms.

Firefox

Click on Tools and then Options, and then click on Privacy. Click on the Clear button next to Cache and Saved Form Information.

Toolbars

Toolbars such as Google, AOL and Yahoo keep a record of the search words you have typed into the toolbar search box. In order to erase all the search words you have typed in, you will need to check the individual instructions for each type of toolbar. For example, for the Google toolbar, all you need to do is click on the Google icon, and choose “Clear Search History”.

Phone history

Depending on your phone, the phones operating system or app you are using, the history will be accessed in different ways. Search for your phone online and ways to clear the history or private surfing to find the specific settings for you.

Click on the links below for more in-depth guidance (off-site)

These steps can help reduce the risk of someone tracing your activity online, but there are other means of finding it, if you have the right technical knowledge. Consider using a computer in the safety of a local library, internet cafe, friends house or at work for extra safety.

Further reading

Women’s Aid Guide

Click to immediately navigate away from this page

Where can I find your customer domestic abuse policy?

Click to immediately navigate away from this page

You can apply for any of the following

Any of the agencies listed above can advise you of solicitors with experience in family law to help you apply for one of these.

Click to immediately navigate away from this page

The 999 silent solution

The 999 call system allows all 999 callers to access support if they are unable to speak during the call. It is important that either a noise is made or that 55 is pressed. For example, if you can only make noise, such as tapping the handset, coughing, crying or even talking to the offender, then these actions will alert the attention of the operator.

If you are supporting someone who is suffering with domestic abuse, speaking out is not always an option when someone is in real danger, so please encourage use of the 999 silent call. Please reassure service users that the Police Force and specially trained officers are always there for people.

More information on the silent solution. www.thamesvalley.police.uk/contact/how-to-make-a-silent-999-call/

Click to immediately navigate away from this page

Useful contacts

Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline

(+44) 0808 200 0247

Men’s Advice Line

(+44) 0808 801 0327

National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* (LGBT) Domestic Violence Helpline

(+44) 0300 999 5428

England and Wales Rape Crisis helpline

(+44) 0808 802 9999

Scotland Rape Crisis

(+44) 08088 01 03 02

The Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre for Northern Ireland

(+44) 0800 389 4424

The Dash Charity Helpline

(+44) 01753 549865

ManKind Initiative

(+44) 01823 334244

SurvivorsUK – Support for Male Rape and Sexual Abuse

(+44) 020 3598 3898

National Stalking Helpline

(+44) 0808 802 0300

Karma Nirvana (Honour based abuse)

(+44) 0800 5999 247

Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service

(+44) 0203 866 4107

Wales Live Fear Free Helpline

(+44) 0808 8010 800

Abused Men In Scotland (AMIS) Helpline

(+44) 0808 800 0024

National NSPCC FGM Helpline

(+44) 0800 028 3550

Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors (FLOWS)

(+44) 0203 745 7707

Revenge Porn Helpline

(+44) 0345 6000 459

Scotland Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline

(+44) 0800 027 1234

The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV)

(+44) 0844 8044 999

The Survivors Trust

(+44) 0808 801 0818

Safeline England and Wales – The National Male Helpline for males.

(+44) 0808 800 5005

Safeline – Young People

(+44) 01926 402 498

UK and Ireland – Stop it Now! Child sexual abuse prevention Helpline

(+44) 0808 1000 900

NSPCC Helpline

(+44) 0808 800 5000

Childline

(+44) 0800 1111

 

Click to immediately navigate away from this page

Back to top

DAHA
British
Disability
Shift
Cyber
Great
Homes
Frank