Anyone can experience/ be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexuality or background. (Gov.uk, 2023)
It is estimated that 5.0% of adults (6.9% women and 3.0% men) aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022; this equates to an estimated 2.4 million adults (1.7 million women and 699,000 men). (CSEW,2022)
If you’re experiencing domestic abuse and feel frightened of, or controlled by, a partner, an ex-partner, family member or someone you may live with, it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault. Accessing help and support may seem and feel like a difficult step to take, however there is support available and you are not alone.
Signs of domestic abuse may not be overt or physical and if you are unsure please see Gov.uk here for more information.
If you are 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- here
There are a number of National support services available:
National Services
- Safe lives- About domestic abuse | Safelives has a leave site button that takes you to bbc news straight away and deletes the safelives website tab to hide from abuser. (national and not gender specified) Email info@safelives.org.uk
- NCDV- Domestic Violence & Abuse · Emergency Injunction Service (ncdv.org.uk) (national and gender not specified) Phone: 0800 970 2070. Text: NCDV to 60777. Email: office@ncdv.org.uk
For those in Northern Ireland/ Scotland and Wales:
- Northern Ireland- Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline 0808 802 1414. Live chat and email available
- Scotland- Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline 0800 027 1234 Live chat and email available
- Wales- Live Fear Free 0808 80 10 800 Live chat, text and email available
Many individuals may feel more secure engaging with support services specifically in relation to their gender identity and the below provides services which may be beneficial
- Women’s aid- Home - Women's Aid (womensaid.org.uk) (national and for women) Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk Chat and forum services are available
- Flows- FLOWS | Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors has a quick close button that takes you straight to google (can find local help and for women) Phone: 0203 745 7707. Email: flows@rcjadvice.org.uk Forum services and a contact form is also available.