Domestic abuse can happen to anybody.
We know that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men are affected by domestic abuse with 16-24 year old woman identified as the most at risk.
It is often hidden and can be difficult to see, even when it is happening to you.
People experiencing abuse can feel lost and not know where to go for help, the shame and fear of the situation can make it even harder to seek help and advise.
Support is available to people who are concerned about their own behaviour in intimate relationships too.
You are not alone.
This section is here to raise awareness of the issues and to provide information to help us break the cycle of abuse and seek support when we need it.
The Domestic Abuse Digital Guide has been created in order to raise awareness of what domestic abuse is, how to recognise abusive behaviour, who is at risk and information about where to go for help.
The guide clearly advises of the steps to take if you are a staff member or student and are concerned about someone.
The Guide includes link to other agencies for more information to help you find out more about different elements of this Guide.
Home is supposed to be where we feel safe and secure, but we know that is not the case for everyone.
In an emergency call 999 if it is (and if unable to speak) press 55.
If you want to report abuse to Police and are safe you can call 101.
If you are a woman and live in Bolton area you can contact Fortalice domestic abuse support services on 01204 36567, if you are a man living anywhere in the UK please contact Mankind on 01823 334244.
You may also be eligible for housing support from your local council, such as a refuge space, if you are fleeing domestic abuse. Please ask for advice and guidance from the professionals working with you.
Women, men and their children travelling to refuge accommodation while Covid-19 lockdown measures are in place can apply for free train travel. Tickets can be accessed through Woman’s Aid and Imkaan once a refuge place has been received. To obtain a ticket contact your local domestic violence service which can be found at womensaid.org.uk/domestic-abuse-directory/ and the service will help you secure a ticket.
Amidst a rise in instances of domestic abuse during the coronavirus pandemic, UK SAYS NO MORE has launched Safe Spaces across the country. Victims of domestic abuse can go to Safe Spaces for someone to collect their thoughts, contact a helpline or find a local support service. All Boots UK pharmacies are Safe Spaces. Ask at the counter to use the consultation room. Find your local Boots UK store using their store locator.
Safe Spaces are also available in 200 Superdrug pharmacies across the country. Use their store locator here, and tick the ‘Pharmacy’ box under the heading ‘that also have these services…’ to find your local Superdrug pharmacy.
If you are worried about a friend, neighbour or someone in your community visit uksaysnomore.org for information and guidance about what to do.
For more information about Domestic Abuse and Covid-19 visit Safelives
Advice from Gov.uk (2020) - you can read the full government guidance on Domestic Abuse by clicking here. The link includes guidance and a number of helplines, which offer support in different languages, or support tailored to men, women, those who are LGBT+,
Gov.uk makes it clear -'The household isolation instruction as a result of coronavirus does not apply if you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse.' If you need to flee domestic abuse you can, lockdown measures have not stopped that.
Working with agencies like Fortalice, Mankind, Police, Social Care, Womans Aid etc can help you access the support you need and advocate for you.
You can access support via the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for support
0808 2000 247
Read more on the National Domestic Abuse Helpline Website
Many individuals reporting struggling to find or access legal advice with regard to domestic abuse issues or family court issues. Specialist domestic abuse services as outlined in the resource section are often able to support you and signpost you to the right organisation. Alternatively you can access Citizens Advice Bureau who are able to support such queries. Please visit the CAB webpage for more information.
Greater Manchester Police Service.
If you're a victim of domestic abuse, or know someone who is, and there's an emergency that's ongoing or life is in danger, call 999 now. If you can not speak dial 55. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service. If you've been the victim of domestic abuse, or are concerned for someone who is, you can report this in the safety of your local police station. If you require a translator, we can provide someone initially by phone and later in person. In non-emergency cases and for general advice, please call 101. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service on 18001 101.
If you are concerned your partner or a close friend/family member’s partner is abusive and a significant risk to them you can request informationbe disclosed to them under Clare’s Law. Click here to find out more about Claire's Law. Watch GMP video about it here
Visit GMP website for further information.
Social Services
If you are concerned about the safety of a child in a domestic abuse situation you can contact your local council’s children’s social care duty team.You can find them by searching online, or on your local councils website. Bolton children's duty team can be contacted through this link.
Domestic abuse effects vulnerable adults significantly, particularly when they may be dependent upon their abuser. If you are concerned about a vulnerable adult you can contact your local councils adult social care services. You can find them by searching online, or on your local councils website. Bolton's adult social care team can be contacted via this link
Fortalice
A Bolton based charity who provide support, including a Refuge, training and group work for women, families, children and young people who are, or have been affected by Domestic Abuse and Violence. They have a 24-hour phone line.
Tel: 01204 365677
Email: info@fortalice.co.uk
The Pankhurst Centre in Manchester
Lots of different services for women including Manchester Woman's Aid, and Sahara a domestic abuse service for BAME woman
Tel: 0161 660 7999
Opening Times: Monday to Friday 9:30am – 4:30pm
or
24/7 National Helpline
Tel: 0808 2000 247 - Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline Manchester Women's Aid work
Endeavour
Endeavour is a North West Charity based in Bolton designed to support women, children and their pets escape from a life of violence and abuse to a better and caring future.
Tel: 01204 394 842
Email: enquiries@endeavourproject.org.uk
Womans Aid
A national charity offering guidance and services including:
Live chat service for female survivors, Monday to Friday 10am-2pm which can be accessed here
Email us on helpline@womensaid.org.uk.
Safety advice for survivors, Domestic abuse and your mental health
Guidance for services, staff and volunteers. This covers practical advice, preventative measures, resources and support
Find Woman's Aid services in your area here.
Refuge
Refuge are nationwide and provide support to people who need to rebuild their lives and overcome many difference forms of Violence and abuse. Their expert advisers offer confidential, non judgmental support and information as well as access to specilist domestic violence services across the country.
Tel: Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 open 24/7
Refuge has a web form which can be used to request a safe time for a call from a member of the expert helpline team
National Centre for Domestic Violence
Advice about Civil Injunctions and where possible support to get Injunctions within 24 hours; a framework of family aw practitioners around the UK; Direct links with Local Authorities, health centres, refuges and Womans Aid Centres
Call: 0800 970 2070
Text: NCDV to 60777
Email: office@ncdv.org.uk
Self-Referral for injunction support
Threshold DAS
An organisation committed to the elimination of violence and abuse of women, men, children and young people and those who are perpetrators through effecting political, cultural, and social change.Visit their web page http://threshold-das.org.uk/
The Freedom Programme
Examines the roles played by attitudes and beliefs on the actions of abusive men and the responses of victims and survivors. The aim is to help them to make sense of and understand what has happened to them, instead of the whole experience just feeling like a horrible mess. The Freedom Programme also describes in detail how children are affected by being exposed to this kind of abuse and very importantly how their lives are improved when the abuse is removed.
Click here to find a free course in your area
Brightsky
An App to support victims of Domestic Abuse to access support in their area and more.
The app is available in your mobile phone app store and is free to use.
Please only download the Bright Sky app if it is safe to do so and you are sure that your mobile phone is not being monitored.
To find out more visit https://www.hestia.org/brightsky
Galop
Galop provide support services in relation to Hate Crime, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence towards LGBT+ victims/survivors by telephone, email, text and WhatsApp.
Tel: 0800 999 5428
Online Reporting Form: http://www.galop.org.uk/report/
Email: help@galop.org.uk
LGBT Foundation
This service is available to all people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans, and anyone falling under the umbrella term of LGBT* such as queer, intersex, pansexual, non-binary or genderfluid, including those questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. If you are aged 16 and over, and feel like you may be experiencing domestic abuse then this service could help you.
THE DEAF HEALTH CHARITY SIGNHEALTH
A specialist service for deaf victims of domestic abuse.
Text or WhatsApp/Facetime: 07970 350366
Tel: 020 3497 2601
Email deafhope@signhealth.org.uk
Visit https://signhealth.org.uk/
Mankind Initiative
Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence.
Tel: 01823 334 244 - Weekdays 10am to 4pm
Respect (Men’s Advice Line)
The Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them. We offer advice and emotional support to men who experience abuse, and signpost to other vital services that help keep them and their children safe.
Tel: 0808 8010327
Online: www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Muslim Women’s Network
A UK charity supporting Muslim women with a variety of issues including domestic abuse, honour violence, forced marriage etc.
0800 999 5786 (free from mobiles and landlines) 10am to 4pm (Mon to Fri)
Text any time on
07415 206 936
we will respond during operating hours
Or email on info@mwnhelpline.co.uk
Emails answered during operating hours
THE MIX
The Mix provide essential support for under 25’s. It is a free and confidential multi-channel service, meaning that you choose how you access their support, without the worry of anyone else finding out. You can access support via their articles and video content online or their phone, email, peer to peer and counselling services.
Tel: 0808 808 499
Online: https://www.themix.org.uk/
Rochdale Connections Trust - support for female victims, children and male perpetrators. Office is currently closed but key workers are offering support over the phone during normal office hours. This includes safety planning, male awareness and time out strategies. Call 07946 651643.
Rochdale Victim Support - one-to-one support for male and female victims and survivors of domestic abuse living within Rochdale borough. They can also help you in attending court. Currently offering telephone and email support, including safety planning on the following contact details: 0161 507 9609 and rochdale@victimsupport.org.uk.
The Freedom Programme for women - a FREE and confidential 12-week programme for women who want to know more about domestic abuse.
Rochdale Women's Welfare Association - support for Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women affected by forced marriage, FGM (female genital mutilation) or sexual assault. Telephone support is available Monday-Friday between 10am-2pm on 01706 860157.
Support for honour based violence victims - there is lots of support available to you if you have experienced honour based violence and abuse.
NESTAC - therapeutic support for adult women, children and young people affected by or at risk of Female Genital Mutilation
It can be difficult to recognise our behaviour in relationships to be problematic. There are lot's of reasons why we might not recognise it and it can be really difficult and upsetting when we realise there is a problem in the way we behave towards the people we love and care for.
There is help and support out there for you, the important step is working towards making changes going forward and getting the support you deserve.
Respect Phoneline is an anonymous and confidential helpline for men and women who are harming their partners and families. We provide specialist advice and guidance to help people change their behaviours and support for those working with domestic abuse perpetrators.
Tel: 0808 8024040
Online: www.respectphoneline.org.uk
You may also wish to register with the Life Lounge for support; to access Counselling or to have a conversation about whether your behaviour is problematic. We will support you to access the help you need and achieve your goals of a healthy and happy relationship.
There are some things everyone deserves from a relationship and these things are what make the relationship healthy and more likely to last:
All relationships face difficulties at times, and people have disagreements with the people they care about and love. If we try to be respectful, compassionate and trusting we will have more success in our relationships. Good communication is part of healthy relationships, but it can be a challenge when we are feeling upset, angry, jealous or betrayed.
Visit https://loverespect.co.uk/ to find out more about healthy relationships.