I need domestic abuse support

Refuge, a domestic violence charity for women and children, operates the free, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline. Call 0808 2000 247 for assistance.

Refuge’s website offers extensive information and support for all forms of domestic abuse. Click the button below to visit the site.

BCHA helps survivors of domestic abuse in the BCP area who are aged 16 and over to escape and recover from traumatic situations, and to help them stay safe.

As well as providing safe houses and refuges, BCHA also offers community outreach services for female and male survivors of domestic abuse. Two 12-week courses, called The Freedom Programme and Power to Change help survivors to understand their rights – providing them with tools and knowledge to empower them.

A Family Intervention Project helps to build positive family relationships and promotes safety for children aged 5 – 16 years old. Call BCHA on 01202 410 500 or click the button below to find out more.

BCP Council has a Safer BCP webpage that assists people experiencing domestic abuse and offers a directory of local and national support. Access it by clicking here.

If you have experienced domestic abuse and would like support to remain in your home by improving security, BCP Council might be able to help. This can include changing locks, adding window locks and other safety measures. Access BCP’s Housing Support area by clicking the button below.

Paragon has been commissioned by BCP Council to provide a specialist health team at hospitals, which supports survivors of domestic abuse.

Paragon also operates specialist children and young person’s advocates in Boscombe, Kinson and West Howe.

They provide trauma-informed support and advocacy to people aged 5-18, working with those who have experienced domestic abuse in their family home.

Housing and homelessness charity Shelter offers free guidance on what to do if you find yourself without a safe place to live because of domestic abuse.

The advice looks at how to get help from your local authority, finding a safe space, tracking down a place in a refuge and how to get an abusive partner to leave your home.

Bright Sky is a safe, easy-to-use app that provides practical support and information on how to respond to domestic abuse.

The free app helps users to spot signs of abuse and find safe routes to support. It can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Android Play Store.

Safe & Sound Dorset supports vulnerable women who are isolated or at risk in the local community – often experiencing multiple disadvantages including family breakdown, homelessness, substance misuse, mental health issues and long-term illness. The charity also operates The Well Coffee Lounge (pictured), a community hub in Boscombe. Click here to get in touch.

The Waterlily Project is another service that supports and empowers women across the BCP area. It’s focused on helping people who are experiencing domestic abuse and violence, mental health issues or crises such as bereavement, illness or an acrimonious divorce. Click here to find out more.

Women’s Aid offers an online directory of local, regional and national services specialising in violence against women and girls – including domestic abuse, sexual violence, forced marriage, stalking and harassment.

Visitors can filter services by their region, local authority or city/town.

The charity Respect runs a helpline for men who are experiencing domestic abuse. Call 0808 801 0327 to speak to an advisor.

Respect has created an Information Hub to help men find local domestic abuse services and access suitable refuges and safe houses. It also offers support on housing, homelessness, immigration and mental health. Click the button below.

BCHA also offers a male bed space at its Poole Refuge – call 01202 410 500 for details

Galop operates a national helpline for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse or violence, including domestic abuse, hate crime, sexual violence and conversion therapy. Call the helpline on 0800 999 5428 or email help@galop.org.uk.

The Homelessness Partnership BCP also has a specialist LGBTQ+ support area – click here.

People who are experiencing domestic abuse can apply for a court order (called a non-molestation or occupation order) to protect their children from harm or threatening behaviour.

Young people can be protected from a current or previous partner, a family member or a person who you previously lived with. Click the button below to find out more.

The National Centre for Domestic Violence also offers a free, fast emergency injunction service to those at risk of all forms of domestic abuse. Click here to make a referral for an injunction.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, the government offers guidance online – with advice on how to find support. Learn how to spot signs of domestic abuse, including physical violence, coercive control, economic and online abuse, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse and sexual abuse. Click here.

The government also offers a free online directory of specialist sources of domestic abuse support. Advice is available for the LGBTQ+ community, older people, people who are deaf or have disabilities, people practicing specific religions and people from various regions of the world. Click the button below to visit.