Support services for domestic abuse
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is not always physical. If your partner, ex-partner or family member is controlling you, forcing you to do things you don’t want to and they frighten you sometimes, this is domestic abuse. Domestic abuse covers a range of types of abuse, including, but not limited to:
- psychological
- physical
- sexual
- economical
- or emotional abuse
Controlling and coercive behaviours
Domestic abuse can be prosecuted under a range of offences and describes a range of controlling and coercive behaviours, used by one person to maintain control over another with whom they have, or have had, an intimate or family relationship. Domestic abuse is rarely a one-off incident.
Controlling and coercing behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. This is a crime.
This controlling behaviour is designed to make a person dependent on the perpetrator (abuser) by isolating them from support, exploiting them, depriving them of independence and regulating their everyday behaviour. Examples of coercive and controlling behaviour:
- Reading messages on your phone
- Telling you what you can/cannot wear
- Threatening to tell your family/friends/community that you are gay/lesbian/bisexual
- Threatening to send your ‘nudes’ to your family/friends
- Criticising your parenting skills in front of others
- Putting loans in your name
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Economic abuse
Economic abuse is a way to restrict the victim’s economic stability, by restricting access to food, clothing, transport or not dividing Universal Credit. The abuser might restrict your ability to improve your financial situation by not allowing you to study/work, refusing to take care of the children so that you can’t go to work/study. Or they might take out loans in your name, not pay the rent/mortgage/bills or spend your money on their addiction.
In case of an emergency
In an emergency you should always call 999.
If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999, and then press 55. This will transfer your call to the relevant police force who will assist you without having to speak.
Safety advice if you are living with your abuser
- Keep your phone charged and on you at all times
- Ensure phone credit is topped up
- Keep away from the kitchen if trying to find a safe space / avoid your abuser
- Speak to a trusted neighbour about the situation and ask them to call 999 if they hear loud noises/arguments
- At the first sign of abuse call 999 for help
The Women's Aid website has safety advice and a COVID-19 safety guide
If your abuser has access to your phone/internet access, please delete your browsing history after you have visited the site
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Worried about a friend or neighbour
If you are worried that your friend or neighbour is experiencing domestic abuse you can:
- Reach out to the victim and let them know that you care
- Ask the victim if they are ok
- Call 999
Contact Solace's Silence Shields Abuse Campaign if you would like to talk to someone about your concern. Tel: 0808 802 5565
You could be the person that makes a difference.
Ask for ANI campaign
Ask for ANI is a campaign that helps those at risk or suffering abuse to get support within pharmacies. If you ask a trained pharmacy worker for ANI, they will take you to a private area. They will then help you get support from the police or other services such as a domestic abuse helpline.
The following pharmacies have signed up to this scheme:
- TSB Bank - 404 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 0AH, UK
- Lincoln’s Pharmacy - 124 St Paul's Way, E3 4QA
- Boots - Commercial Road, E1 0LB
- Boots - 426-428 Bethnal Green Road, E2 0DJ
- Boots - Crossrail Place, Canary Wharf, E14 5AR
- Boots - Unit 14 Canada Square, E145AX
- Boots -15 Cabot Square, E14 4QS
- Boots -45 Bank Street, Jubilee Place, E14 5NY
- Boots - 18-20 Vesey Path, E14 6BT
- Boots - 44136 Surrey Quays Shopping, SE16 7LL
Other pharmacies may sign up to this campaign, so please look for Ask for ANI posters in your local pharmacy.
See the list of Safe Spaces where you can ask for support.
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Support organisations
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VAWG service directory
You can find lots of other useful services on the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) service directory homepage.