Every area in the UK will have different domestic abuse services in different organisations based on their funding. You can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (anonymously if you prefer) or contact them online to ask about the services in your area. Services include but ae not limited to; Outreach support Risk reduction work Group work Children’s worker Helpline Refuge DAP (Domestic Abuse Practitioner) IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) What support you receive will be risk-based but also your decision. Unless you or a child is at immediate risk of direct harm your information will not be shared with anyone. It may seem strange but you are now in control. Domestic abuse services work with people to prevent domestic abuse, whilst people are experiencing domestic abuse, those fleeing domestic abuse, those who have left abusive relationship, and also people years down the line who are now seeking recovery from domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is abuse that happens within the home; between intimate partners, siblings, parents and children, housemates etc. It can be emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, or financial according to the government but it is not limited to this definition. There are some great but potentially triggering examples here: https://www.mankind.org.uk/help-for-victims/types-ofdomestic-abuse/ It is a pattern of behaviour and usually this pattern lo includes “good times” – take a look at the link to the Cycle of Abuse: https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/understand-domestic-violence/what-isdomestic-violence/cycle-of-violence/ and the Power and Control Wheel: https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/201908/Gender%20Neutral%20Power%20Control%20Wheel.pdf If you ever feel unsafe you can and should call 999. If you want to leave a situation it is best to discuss this with services so that they can use their expertise to assist you in doing so with as little risk as possible. No one’s situation is the same and we should not be advising others based on individual experience as risk across situations vary greatly. Your options include; deciding to stay in the relationship staying in the home and the perpetrator being asked or forced to leave (further protective measures may be able to be put in place so that they cannot return or come near you) making a safe exit plan with services to orchestrate a safe leave to a planned location, if safe to do so this means that a new home can be waiting for you fleeing to refuge or other temporary emergency accommodation (the council have a responsibility to find you and your children emergency accommodation if you are fleeing domestic abuse), refuge is often in a new location so as to be far from any risk to yourself so is a big decision to make as may involve leaving a job or changing schools for children Helpful resources National Domestic Abuse Helpline - open 24/7 0808 2000 247 Online contact form https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline - Mon, Tues and Fri 10am-5pm, Wed and Thurs 10am8pm 0800 999 5428 help@galop.org.uk Online chat http://galop.org.uk/domesticabuse Rights of Women (helping women through the law) https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-information/violence-against-women-and-internationallaw/ https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-information/family-law/ Family law advice lines - https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-advice/family-law/ The Freedom Programme https://freedomprogramme.co.uk/ BME Guide https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_ data/file/97924/english-3-steps.pdf DWP Domestic Abuse Support (housing benefit, Universal Credit etc) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-violence-and-abuse-help-fromdwp/help-available-from-the-department-for-work-and-pensions-for-people-who-arevictims-of-domestic-violence-and-abuse
