Sources of help and support - domestic abuse
Emergency support
| Mobile | 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. |
| Landline | 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. |
| Difficulty communicating verbally | If you are deaf or can’t verbally communicate, you can register with the emergencySMS service. 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. |
Locally
There is a locally commissioned specialist domestic abuse service as a first port of call rather than the national helpline as this service can provide a local response. It has been jointly commissioned by NYCC, City of York and the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and provides support for victims of domestic abuse across North Yorkshire and City of York. The commissioned support provider is IDAS and they hold the contracts for the following victims services:
They have their own helpline covering North Yorkshire and Barnsley - 03000 110 110 and a host of information on their website which includes a live chat facility for both professionals and victims - IDAS |
| You can also speak to a GP, health visitor, nurse practitioner or midwife. |
Nationally
| Citizen’s Advice | https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/gender-violence/domestic-violence-and-abuse/ |
| Galop - LGBTQ+ can call for emotional and practical support | 0800 999 5428 |
| Hestia - If you are an employer looking to respond effectively to a disclosure of domestic abuse from an employee, or looking for other advice and guidance around supporting employees affected by domestic abuse | https://www.hestia.org/pages/category/everyones-business Everyone's Business Advice Line on 07770480437 or 0203 8793695 or via email Adviceline.EB@hestia.org between 10am-3pm Monday to Friday for support. |
| Karma Nirvana for forced marriage and honour crimes. | 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) |
ManKind support men suffering from domestic abuse from their current or former wife or partner (including same-sex partner). | 0182 3334 244 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm) Confidential helpline available for male victims of domestic abuse and male victims of domestic violence across the UK. |
| Men's Advice Line for non-judgemental information and support for male victims of domestic abuse. | 0808 8010 327 Webchat also available |
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24 hour, Freephone, run by Refuge) The staff will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and support | 0808 2000 247 |
| NHS | https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/ |
NSPCC If you are worried about a child, even if you're unsure, contact the NSPCC helpline to speak to a counsellor. | Call on 0808 800 5000, email help@nspcc.org.uk or fill in the online form.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/domestic-abuse/ |
| UK government | List of the main organisations you can speak to for support. |
UK government Forced Marriage Unit
| 020 7008 0151 (out of hours 020 7008 1500 - ask for the Global Response Centre) |
Women’s Aid National charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. They have been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic violence and abuse through practice for over 45 years. They empower survivors by keeping their voices at the heart of their work, working with and for women and children by listening to them and responding to their needs. |
List of useful links for websites and organisations providing relevant information and support
Women can email helpline@womensaid.org.uk. Staff will respond to your email within 5 working days |
