If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse

The Supporting Victims Team are working closely with IDAS to provide vital services in very difficult circumstances.

On this page

Help for you

If you are facing isolation with an abusive person, IDAS offer safety planning advice on their website.

You could also consider:

Getting a spare phone and store emergency contact numbers in it and hide it in a safe place or with a trusted person
Keeping your ID documents, emergency funds, bank cards and children’s birth certificates to hand
Speaking to your neighbours and ask them to ring the police if they hear or see anything
Setting up safe words with friends so they know to call for help on your behalf
Planning to check in with people regularly so that they can raise the alarm if they don’t hear from you
Planning to escape to the garden or to a room that you can exit from easily if abusive behaviour escalates
Avoiding rooms where there could be weapons if the abusive behaviour escalates

For more information email IDAS on info@idas.org.uk or call Supporting Victims on 01609 643100, email: help@supportingvictims.org

If you are worried about a friend; family member; neighbour, or colleague, this advice could help to provide a lifeline:

Check in with them regularly, if it is safe to do so
Ask if there is anything that you can look out for that might indicate they need help
Set up a code word to indicate that help is needed
Call the Police if you hear or see anything that could indicate a potential risk
Look at the safety planning advice on the IDAS Website

IDAS are extending their online Live Chat to help ensure that support is available, even if you are isolated with someone you are afraid of.

Live Chat is available Monday to Friday between 4pm and 6pm via https://www.idas.org.uk.

Visit the website during these times and you will see a Live Chat Box appear at the bottom of the screen.

Type your question into this box and you will be able to chat directly with one of their specialist workers.