Support Available for Victims in England and Wales
- 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline (England) – run by Refuge, freephone: 0808 2000 247. British Sign Language access from 10am – 6pm on weekdays. The website offers a live chat service between 3pm – 10pm on weekdays. nationaldahelpline.org.uk
- Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse – an organisation that supports those who have lost a family member (or friend) through fatal domestic abuse.
Email: help@aafda.org.uk
www. https://www.aafda.org.uk/
- Age UK – an organisation that supports older people and victims of elder abuse.
- Ask for ANI ((Action Needed Immediately) – a codeword scheme for victims to access support from the safety of their local pharmacy or job centre.
- Childline – a free 24-hour service providing support for anyone under 19 in the UK. 0800 1111.
- Clinks – an organisation that supports the voluntary sector working with people in the criminal justice system and their families. Clinks have a directory of services, although it is not exhaustive, and are experienced in supporting women who have suffered domestic abuse.
- Dogs Trust Freedom Project – a specialist dog fostering service for victims fleeing domestic abuse.
- Galop – a specialist organisation and LGBT anti-violence charity offering support to LGBT victims.
- Hestia Respond to Abuse Advice Line – a specialist advice line supporting employers to help staff experiencing domestic abuse on 0203 879 3695 or via email
- Hourglass – a specialist organisation aiming to end the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people in the UK. Their helpline can be accessed by phone on 0808 808 8141, text on 07860 052906 or email helpline@wearehourglass.org.
- Jewish Women’s Aid – a specialist organisation supporting Jewish women and children affected by domestic abuse. Their helpline is 0808 801 0500 and is open Mondays to Thursdays from 9.30 am – 9.30 pm (excluding Jewish holidays and bank holidays).
- Karma Nirvana ‘Honour’-Based Abuse helpline – a specialist organisation supporting victims of ’honour’-based abuse and forced marriage. Their helpline is 0800 599 9247 and is open 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.
- Loving Me – a specialist organisation providing one-to-one online support and advocacy for high risk transgender, gender queer, and non-binary victims of domestic abuse.
- ManKind Initiative – a specialist organisation supporting male victims of domestic abuse and their children.
- Men’s Advice Line – run by Respect. 0808 801 0327 open Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm or email info@mensadviceline.org.uk
- Muslim Women’s Network – a specialist organisation supporting Muslim women and girls.
- National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse helpline – 0800 999 5428 Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm.
- National Stalking helpline – run by Suzy Lamplugh Trust. 0808 802 0300 9.30am – 4pm Monday to Friday.
- NSPCC – The UK’s leading children’s charity working to prevent abuse, rebuild children’s lives and support families.
- NSPCC FGM helpline – 0800 028 3550.
- Rape Crisis England and Wales – an organisation representing rape crisis centres across England and Wales which provide support for women and girls of all ages who have experienced any form of sexual violence. Their telephone number is 0808 802 9999. Their website also offers a Live Chat service.
- Refuge – an organisation operated by an all female staff that provides support for all victims of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.
- Respect – an organisation that works with male victims of domestic abuse and domestic abuse perpetrators. Respects operates the Men’s Advice line, a confidential helping for male victims of domestic abuse and the Respect Phoneline for domestic abuse perpetrators and those supporting them.
- Sign Health Domestic Abuse Service – a specialist domestic abuse service to support the health and wellbeing of deaf people.
- Sikh Women’s Aid – an organisation providing support for Sikh women and girls.
- Southall Black Sisters – an organisation providing support for ethnic minority victims and migrant women. Their helpline is 020 8571 9595 and is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
- Stay Safe East – a specialist organisation providing support for deaf and disabled victims of domestic abuse across London. Referrals should be made to enquiries@staysafe-east.org.uk.
- Victim Support – a specialist service helping anyone affected by any types of crime, not only those who experience it directly, but also their friends, family and any other people involved.
- Women’s Aid Federation England (WAFE) – an organisation supporting women affected by domestic abuse. Their website offers a Live Chat service available Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm. Women’s Aid also provide a directory, listing local support services across the UK, although it is not exhaustive it is updated regularly.
Here are some organisations working in Wales:
24-hour National Helpline (Wales) ‘Live Fear Free’ – 0808 801 0800 open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Live Fear Free helpline is a free service for all victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence and those close to them, including family, friends, colleagues, and other concerned parties. Live Fear Free can also be contacted in the following ways: Text: 0786 007 7333 Email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales Live chat: gov.wales/livefearfree
BAWSO – a specialist organisation dedicated to supporting ethnic minority communities.
Dyn Wales helpline – an organisation supporting male victims of domestic abuse. 0808 801 0321 or email support@dynwales.org (support for male victims)
Meic – a free, confidential, anonymous, and bilingual helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales providing information, useful advice, and support. Meic are open 8am – midnight, 7 days a week, by telephone, SMS text, and instant messaging. Telephone: 0808 80 23456 Text: 54001 Live chat: www.meiccymru.org
In Mid, West, East, and South Wales the main sexual violence support service provider is New Pathways, who can be contacted on 01685 379 310 or enquiries@newpathways.org.uk.
