This information should not be relied upon as legal or professional advice. Read the disclaimer.
UK-wide Support Organisations
Childline
Childline is a counselling service for children and young people provided by the NSPCC. They deal with any issues which cause distress or concern, including child abuse and psychological abuse.
Helpline: 0800 1111
Galop
Galop is a LGBT+ anti-violence charity which runs the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline.
Helpline: 0800 999 5428
Email: help@galop.org.uk
Hourglass
Hourglass works to end the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people.
Phone: 0808 808 8141
Text: 07860 052906
Email: helpline@wearehourglass.org
There is an online chat available.
Karma Nirvana
Karma Nirvana is the specialist helpline for forced marriage and honour-based abuse.
Phone: 0800 5999 247
Latin American Women’s Aid
An organisation run for Latin American women and children fleeing gender-based violence.
Phone: 020 7275 0321
Email: referrals@lawadv.org.uk
Latin American Women’s Rights Service
This organisation offers confidential specialist services for all Latin American women, including advice and counselling for women facing gender violence.
Phone: 0771 928 1714 (Spanish) and 0759 597 0580 (Portuguese)
Email: info@lawrs.org.uk
ManKind Initiative
An information, support and signposting service for men suffering from domestic abuse from their current or former partner (including same-sex partner).
Phone: 01823 334244
The Mix
The Mix is a support service for under 25s in the UK. They offer a confidential helpline and counselling service.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Text: THEMIX to 85258
Email: Online Form
There is an online chat available.
National Centre for Domestic Violence
An organisation dedicated to helping people identify the early signs of domestic abuse, make decisions for a better life and make domestic abuse socially unacceptable. They provide a free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic violence.
Phone: 0800 970 2070 or 020 7186 8270
Text: NCDV to 60777
General enquiries email: office@ncdv.org.uk
Rape Crisis (England and Wales)
Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) is an organisation that supports the work of Rape Crisis Centres across England and Wales. They raise awareness and understanding of sexual violence and abuse in all its forms.
Helpline: 0808 802 9999 (open 12:00-14:30 and 19:00-21:30 every day of the year)
There is an online chat available.
Refuge
Refuge provides specialist support to women, children and some men escaping domestic violence and other forms of violence. The organisation runs the National Domestic Violence Helpline, which is a 24-hour, free national phone service.
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (open 24/7)
Website: National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
There is an online chat available.
Respect
Respect works to end domestic abuse by offering information and advice to people who are abusive towards their partners and want help to stop. Respect also runs a specific helpline for male victims of domestic abuse.
Helpline for domestic abuse perpetrators and those supporting them: 0808 8024040
Email: info@respectphoneline.org.uk
There is an online chat available.
Respect: The Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
There is an online chat available.
Revenge Porn Helpline
This is a UK service supporting adults (aged 18+) who are experiencing intimate image abuse, also known as revenge porn.
Phone: 0345 6000 459
Email: help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk or use the site’s Reporting Form
Rights of Women
A women’s charity working to help women through the law with a focus on addressing violence against women.
Phone: 020 7251 6577 or (for women working or living in London) 020 7608 1137
Email: info@row.org.uk
Surviving Economic Abuse
Surviving Economic Abuse raises awareness of economic abuse. They run a dedicated support line for victim-survivors of economic abuse.
Phone: 01323 635 987
Email: info@survivingeconomicabuse.org
Southall Black Sisters
Southall Black Sisters aims to meet the needs of Black (Asian and African-Caribbean) women. It aims to highlight and challenge all forms of gender-related violence against women and empower them to gain more control over their lives.
Phone: 0208 571 9595
Email: Contact Form
The Survivors Trust
The Survivors Trust aims to support and empower survivors of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse.
Helpline: 08088 010 818
Email Helpline: helpline@thesurvivorstrust.org Enquiries Email: info@thesurvivorstrust.org
Suzy Lamplugh Trust
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust runs the National Stalking Helpline which provides guidance and information to anyone who is currently or has previously been affected by harassment or stalking.
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
Email: Enquiry form
Woman’s Trust
Woman’s Trust is a specialist mental health charity, providing free counselling and therapy for women who have experienced domestic abuse.
Phone: 0207 034 0303
Email: office@womanstrust.org.uk
UK Government Resources
GOV.UK Report Domestic Abuse provides a list of organisations which victims can contact to get help and advice about domestic abuse.
The Government has published Domestic abuse: Get help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This includes links to advice and further material, specialist services for people from ethnic minorities, services for disabled persons, sources of help for young children, and helplines.
This Ministry of Justice also has a page for support for victims and witnesses of Domestic Abuse.
There’s also the Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) scheme which was launched on 14 January 2021. The GOV.UK website states that “by asking for ANI, a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services such as national or local domestic abuse helplines.”
Criminal Justice Resources
The Crown Prosecution Service also has a Domestic violence webpage which includes guides for Prosecutors, Victims and Witnesses.
The College of Policing has created an Authorised Professional Practice on Domestic Abuse which explains how the police should deal with domestic abuse reports – there is a specific section on Victim Safety and Support.
The House of Commons Library also includes a casework page on Support for victims of crime.
NHS resources
The NHS page Domestic violence and abuse provides information on recognising the signs of domestic abuse and where to get help. The NHS website has a search tool to locate the nearest rape and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs)
English Support Organisations
FLOWS – Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors (also available in Wales)
FLOWS supports women with finding legal options and help to deal with domestic abuse.
Phone: 0203 745 7707
Email: flows@rcjadvice.org.uk
Paladin National Stalking Advisory Service (also available in Wales)
Paladin is a trauma-informed service established to assist high risk victims of stalking in England and Wales.
Phone: 020 3866 4107
Email: info@paladinservice.co.uk
Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid works to provide life-saving services in England and build a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk There is also an online chat available.
Victim Support (also available in Wales)
Victim Support offers support after a crime has been committed. They have a section dedicated to domestic abuse.
Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (open 24/7)
There is also an online chat available.
Citizens Advice: Domestic violence and abuse
Citizens Advice has a page on domestic violence and abuse, including what to do if you have been affected.
Welsh Support Organisations
Welsh Women’s Aid
Welsh Women’s Aid run the All-Wales 24-Hour Domestic Violence Helpline.
Phone (24/7): 0808 80 10 800
Text: 07860077333
Email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales
There is also an online chat available.
Welsh Assembly Resources
The Welsh Government’s Domestic abuse: Wales page provides helplines, FAQs and help for children and adults.
Scottish Support Organisations
Scottish Women’s Aid
Scottish Women’s Aid works towards the prevention of domestic abuse. They coordinate, influence and campaign for effective responses to domestic abuse. They run the All-Scotland 24-Hour Domestic Violence Helpline.
Phone: 0800 027 1234 (open 24/7)
Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
There is also an online chat available.
Shakti Women’s Aid
Shakti Women’s Aid helps BME women, children, and young people experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse from a partner, ex-partner, and/or other members of the household.
Phone (Edinburgh): 0131 475 2399
Email: info@shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
There is also an online form available.
Scottish Government Resources
The Scottish Government’s Domestic abuse: Support provides information for male and female victims and helplines.
Northern Irish Support Organisations
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline provides information, advice and support to those affected by Domestic and Sexual Abuse.
Helpline: 0808 802 1414
Email: help@dsahelpline.org
There is also an online chat available.
Women’s Aid Federation (Northern Ireland)
Women’s Aid is a voluntary organisation addressing domestic and sexual violence and providing services for women and children.
Phone: 028 9024 9041
Email: info@womensaidni.org
There is also an online chat available.
Northern Ireland Government resources
NI Direct’s Domestic violence and abuse and Support for domestic abuse victims during Coronavirus (Covid-19) pages provide links to information and support.
Local Services
Woman’s Aid operates a Domestic Abuse Directory which can be used to find local support in your area.
Disclaimer
The Commons Library does not intend the information in this article to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual. We have published it to support the work of MPs. You should not rely upon it as legal or professional advice, or as a substitute for it. We do not accept any liability whatsoever for any errors, omissions or misstatements contained herein. You should consult a suitably qualified professional if you require specific advice or information. Read our briefing for information about sources of legal advice and help.