Domestic abuse general resources and support

Ask for ANI

The government has launched the Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) codeword scheme to enable victims of domestic abuse to access immediate helpfrom the police or other support services, from the safety of their local pharmacy. For more information, see:

• HM Government. Ask for ANI Domestic Abuse codeword scheme guidance for pharmacies using the UK says no more safe spaces scheme
• Home Office. Pharmacies launch codeword scheme to offer ‘lifeline’ to domestic abuse victims
• UK Says No More. Safe spaces locations

Agenda. Ask and take action: Why public services must ask about domestic abuse. This report finds public services are failing women by not asking about domestic abuse.

Cavell Nurses' Trust. The Cavell Nurses’ Trust charity supports UK nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, both working and retired, when they’re suffering personal or financial hardship often due to illness, disability, older age, domestic abuse and the impact of the coronavirus. 

Cochrane Library. Psychological therapies for women who experience intimate partner violence. This review assesses the effects of psychological interventions in comparison to usual care, no treatment, delayed provision of psychological interventions and minimal interventions.

Coercive Control. This website is for social workers and other health and social care practitioners to develop their knowledge and skills in working with situations of coercive control.

Dheensa, S (2020) Recording and sharing information about domestic violence/abuse in the health service. Research report and good practice recommendations for healthcare.

Domestic Abuse Alliance. The Domestic Abuse Alliance provides access to immediate legal support for anyone experiencing abuse. The free-to-use WEPROTECT app has been developed in partnership with police and domestic abuse support service providers ensuring that anyone referred to the Domestic Abuse Alliance will benefit from instant legal assistance so that the relevant legal protection can be actioned without delay.

Hidden Hurt. This website provides advice and information on domestic abuse.

Karma Nirvana. Karma Nirvana is a dedicated charity, providing support and training to help prevent forced 
marriages and honour based abuse within the UK and beyond.

Live Fear Free.This Welsh website provides advice on domestic abuse, sexual violence and violence against women.

Living without abuse. Living without abuse provides support to anyone experiencing or fearing violence or abuse from a partner, ex-partner or family member.

National Centre for Domestic Violence. The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) provides a free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic violence regardless of their financial circumstances, race, gender or sexual orientation.

National Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence and Multiple Disadvantage. Breaking down the barriers. This report finds that survivors of abuse are being failed by the system meant to help them – with devastating consequences for them and their families.

National Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence and Multiple Disadvantage. Hand in hand. A report on the impact of domestic and sexual abuse. It outlines key areas for change, including calling for for support services to be trauma-informed and for more staff with lived experience to be on the workforce.

National Domestic Violence helpline. This free 24 hour helpline, run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge, is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf.

NHS Choices: Help for domestic violence - Live Well. Information and advice on domestic violence. 

Plymouth Parent Advocacy Project. Controlling and threatening behaviour. Do you think you might be in a controlling relationship? This booklet will help you spot the signs and tell you where to get help. 

Rape Crisis. Rape Crisis England and Wales is a national charity which promotes the needs and rights of women and girls who have experienced sexual violence, and to improve services to them and to work towards the elimination of sexual violence.

Rights of Women. Rights of Women provides legal advice and information to women affected by violence.

Safe Lives. Safe lives is a national charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse. Safe lives also offers training for professionals, free down loads of tools and advice and MARAC assessment.

Samaritans. Samaritans provides a confidential support and advice service which is open every single day of the year.

Victim support. Victim support is an independent charity which supports people affected by crime or traumatic events, including domestic abuse.

Women’s Aid. Women’s Aid is a national charity which works to end domestic abuse against women and children. Their campaigns aim to achieve changes in policy, practice and awareness, and encourage healthy relationships and help to build a future where domestic abuse is no longer tolerated.

Support for children

Action for Children. Support for vulnerable and neglected children and young people, and their families.

Childline. Childline is a confidential helpline for children and young people experiencing or witnessing violence and abuse.

The Hideout. This website created by Women’s Aid gives support to children and young people affected by domestic abuse.

Violence, Abuse and Mental Health Network (VAMHN). Safe, Seen, Supported: How to reach and help children and young people experiencing abuse in their households.

Women’s Aid Expect Respect Education Toolkit. Consists of easy to use ‘Core’ lessons for each year group from reception to year 13 and is based on themes that have been found to be effective in tackling domestic abuse.

Support for men

Mankind. Mankind provides specialist services to men who have experienced various forms of abuse.

Men’s Advice Line. This advice line provides a range of services aimed primarily at men experiencing domestic abuse from their partner.

Housing

Refuge. Refuge provides a range of services to support abused women and children.

Shelter. Help if you’re homeless: domestic abuse.

Support for LGBT communities

Galop. A national LGBT domestic abuse helpline providing emotional and practical support for LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse.

Respect Phone Line. Are you hurting the one you love? A booklet on male violence in gay and bisexual relationships.

Stonewall. The Stonewall Housing Advice Line provides housing advice and support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender victims and survivors of domestic abuse in England.

Perpetrators

Domestic Violence Intervention Project. This project provides a violence prevention programme for men and a woman’s support service for their partners and ex-partners

Respect (for perpetrators of domestic violence). A registered charity and national membership organisation promoting best practice for domestic violence perpetrator programmes and associated support services in the UK.