Domestic Abuse - useful guides

You are not alone. Help is available.  

Where can I go for help?

If you would like help, please reach out for support in any safe way that you can.  If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police - the police will continue to respond to emergency calls.  If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999, and then press 55 (please note that this is only works from a mobile phone). This will transfer your call to the relevant police force who will assist you without you having to speak.  There is also help available from the National Domestic Violence Helpline as well as online, please see below for details.

If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.  If you are not in immediate danger, the following numbers may be helpful:

Next Link domestic abuse telephone help

Next Link’s office is open 8.30am – 5.30pm Monday – Friday and 9.30am – 1pm Saturday. “The out of hours service will be available outside of these hours. All our services are up and running and our Live Chat is open from 10am to 4pm. If you are concerned about your safety and need help and support, please contact us and we can help.”

OTHER HELPLINES

Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428 help@galop.org.uk

Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327 info@mensadviceline.org.uk

Karma Nirvana, UK Helpline for ‘honour’-based abuse and forced marriage: 0800 5999 247

Victim Support National 24-hour Support line: 0808 1689 111

Websites and useful guides

Accessing information online may feel like the best option at this time. If you do access any information online and you are worried about others in your household seeing it, you may need to delete your browser history or use ‘private browsing’ as a way to hide your searches.  There are some helpful guides available:

Safe Lives guide to staying safe online

Women’s Aid guide to private browsing

Safe Lives: Domestic Abuse and COVID-19

Safe Lives: Staying safe during COVID-19

Support if you are worried about hurting someone

If you are worried about hurting the ones you love while staying at home, call the Respect Phoneline for support and help to manage your behaviour, 0808 8024040.

I’m worried about someone else, what can I do?

Domestic abuse in all its forms is contrary to the will of God and an affront to human dignity. All need to play their part in preventing or halting it.  Remember that children are deeply affected by abuse between parents and may be abused themselves in these situations. If you are worried about a friend, family member or neighbour, please contact your Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor. 

Safeguarding Adviser for Bristol Diocese
Email:  adam.bond@bristoldiocese.org
Phone: 0117 906 0100
Mobile: 07512 145 236

PROTECTING CHILDREN

If you are worried about a child’s safety, call Bristol’s Children and Families Services (Monday-Friday between 8:30am-5:00pm 0117 903 6444. If you want to speak to someone anonymously about worries you have for a child call the NSPCC 24 hour helpline 0808 800 5000.

MENTAL HEALTH

Many people are feeling the burden of increased isolation during lock down, so, if you can, please check in on your neighbours, friends and family.
You can get support on the Mental Health Foundation website. Talk about your worries with someone you trust or if you prefer, a professional. You may wish to call Bristol Mind on 0808 808 0330, or Samaritans on 116 123

 (websites checked September 2022)