Domestic Abuse

Domestic Abuse can happen to anyone and it can take many different forms.

Domestic Abuse can include, but is not limited to someone else...

Taking control of aspects of your life
Making you feel like you're loosing your mind
Hitting you or leaving you fearful that they might
Taking your money or not giving you control of joint finances
Controlling who you can see or what you wear

Abusive relationships are not always easy to identify. You can use the MECC approach to look out for these signs and enable people to access help, guidance and advice.

Very Brief Intervention

Ask

Domestic Abuse can happen to anyone and it can take many different forms. Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to someone else...

Taking control of aspects of their life
Making them feel like they are losing their mind
Hitting them or leaving them fearful that they might
Taking their money or not giving them control of joint finances
Belittling them
Controlling who they can see or what they can wear

You can use the MECC approach to look out for these signs and enable people to access help, guidance and advice. This section has been designed to enable people to take action.

Assist

If someone has experienced Domestic Abuse for some time it is probably a good idea that they get some support.

Useful questions you might ask them include:

How does it make you feel?

What could you do?

Have you talked to anyone about this?

Do you have someone you trust that you could go to?

Act

If you’re worried that someone is at immediate risk of taking their own life then phone 999, you should stay with that person until help arrives. Do not put your own safety at risk by getting physically involved.

If no immediate risk take the following steps:

All forms of domestic abuse are not acceptable in any situation.

If a person is experiencing domestic abuse and is feeling frightened of or controlled by, a partner, an ex-partner or family member, it’s important to remind them that it is not their fault and there is no shame in seeking help.

It may seem like a difficult step to take, but there is support available and remember to tell them that #YouAreNot Alone.

Free, confidential support and advice is available to victims and their concerned family members or friends, 24 hours a day.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Free, confidential, 24/7 support via phone (0808 2000 247) and live chat National Domestic Abuse Helpline.

Bright Sky App

Bright Sky is a mobile app and website for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else.

The app can be downloaded for free from the app stores. Only download the app if it is safe for you to do so and if you are sure that your phone isn’t being monitored.

Safe Spaces

Safes Spaces are safe, confidential rooms where victims can take some time to reflect, access information on specialist support services or call friends or family.

Safe Spaces are also available in Boots, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK.

Find your nearest Safe Space.