Domestic Abuse Support

Domestic Violence / Abuse support information

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you can’t speak and are calling on a mobile press 55 to have your call transferred to the police. Find out here how to call the police when you can’t speak.

This page has many links but there are too many organisations and sources to list all of them. Many of the resources here can provide you with more localised or appropriate support, but we hope this is a helpful start.  We welcome any recommendations for additions or amendments to the details here.

Safe Newcastle directory of Domestic Abuse services. North East and national support organisations.

Safe Newcastle—Violence Against Women and Girls resource—very useful information with local and general advice, https://www.safenewcastle.org.uk/violence-against-women-and-girls

Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us

Harbour works with families and individuals (female or male) who are affected by abuse from a partner, former partner or other family member.  https://myharbour.org.uk

The Angelou Centre support for black and minoritised women and children who have been subject to domestic and sexual violence.  https://angelou-centre.org.uk/

West End Women and Girls Centre (Newcastle) http://westendwomenandgirls.co.uk/

Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland—https://rctn.org.uk/

Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services (NDAS)
Live Web Chat (Monday-Friday 9.30am-3pm) https://www.nda.services/web-chat  
Or call 01434 608030 between 9.30am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday for 1-to-1 support.

East End Women (Newcastle) https://buildingfutureseast.org/local-programmes/east-end-women/

Tyneside Women’s Heath include drop-ins. Courses and counselling.
Safer Women Support Groups—Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside:
https://www.tynesidewomenshealth.org.uk/support-services-for-women/support-groups/

Women’s Health in South Tyneside (WHIST) - offer services including one-to-one and peer-support, counselling, and various courses. https://www.whist.org.uk/

Aspire — A women-only centre based in Chester le Street.  https://www.aspire-northeast.co.uk/

Just For Women (Stanley, County Durham) supports women, children and families to move beyond the constraints of mental health, poverty, domestic violence. https://justforwomen.org.uk/

My Sister's Place (Middlesbrough) - specialist domestic abuse service for women age 16+.
https://www.mysistersplace.org.uk/   The advice line 07873 321371 is open 9am to 7pm daily.

Women's Aid — resource providing comprehensive advice for staying safe with contacts for many specialist services https://www.womensaid.org.uk/covid-19-coronavirus-safety-advice-for-survivors/

UK Directory of local support services https://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-abuse-directory/
If you are experiencing domestic abuse or are worried about friends or family, you can access the Women’s Aid live chat service 7 days a week, 10am to 6pm.  https://chat.womensaid.org.uk/
https://survivorsforum.womensaid.org.uk/       Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mankind - Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence,
Weekdays 10am to 4pm  01823 334 244             https://www.mankind.org.uk/

Respect Men's Advice Line  0808 8010327 Free Telephone support Mon–Fri 9am-8pm
Email support This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat & Sun 10am-12pm & 4pm-6pm. 
Webchat support Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10–11am and 3–4pm

Supporting a friend who is suffering domestic violence or abuse:  UK Government advice (link).

Ask for ANI codeword and Safe Spaces

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for ‘ANI’ in any participating pharmacy. ‘ANI’ stands for Action Needed Immediately. If a pharmacy has the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo on display, it means they’re ready to help. They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.

Safe Spaces are available in Boots, Morrisons, TSB, Superdrug, Well and independent pharmacies across the UK. Once you are inside, specialist domestic abuse support information will be available for you to access. Many Safe Spaces will also respond to the ‘Ask for ANI’ codeword, providing victims with a discreet way to access help calling the police on 999 or specialist support services.  Find your nearest Safe Space: https://uksaysnomore.org/safespaces/

Check whether someone has an abusive past — your ”Right to Ask”

If you are concerned that a new, former or existing partner has an abusive past you can ask the police to check under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (also known as ‘Clare’s Law’). This is your ‘right to ask’. If records show that you may be at risk of domestic abuse, the police will consider disclosing the information. You can make a request to the police for information about a person’s previous violent offending in person at the police station or elsewhere, by telephone, by email, online or as part of a police investigation. Support agencies and services can also help you to ask the police.

Get help if you think you might be an abuser

If you are concerned about your behaviour or the behaviour of someone you know, there is support available.

The Respect Phoneline is an anonymous and confidential helpline for men and women who may be abusing their partners and families.
Call 0808 802 4040 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm).

The helpline also takes calls from partners, ex-partners, friends and relatives who are concerned about perpetrators.
Webchat service available Weds, Thurs and Friday 10am-11am and 3pm-4pm.  

Elder Abuse

Over 500,000 older people experience elder abuse in the UK (figure from Action in Elder Abuse).

Age UK information on Protection from abuse https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/relationships-family/protection-from-abuse/

Hourglass  - confidential elder abuse helpline, available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Phone Helpline: 0808 808 8141     Free text 078 6005 2906
Email the helpline This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     Website: https://wearehourglass.org/

[Page checked September 2021]