National Domestic Violence helpline freephone, 24-hour helpline: 0808 2000 247

  • Samaritans: (24/7 service) – 116 123

  • Victim Support: A free and confidential support service to victims of crime regardless of whether the crime has been reported or how long ago it happened. Call for free support line on 0808 168 9111 or contact them online.

  • National Centre for Domestic Violence: A free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic abuse and violence. Call their support line 0800 970 2070.

  • Respect Helpline: A confidential helpline, email and webchat service for domestic abuse perpetrators and those supporting them. Call their support line 0808 8024040.

  • Safe Lives: UK-wide charity supporting friends, family members, neighbours and colleagues experiencing domestic abuse.

  • The Mix: Free information and support for under 25s in the UK: 0808 808 4994.

Where to find specialised support

  • National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse: Galop’s helpline is run by LGBT+, for LGBT+ people who have or are experiencing domestic abuse. It’s also for people supporting a survivor of domestic abuse; friends, families and those working with a survivor. Telephone: 0800 999 5428.

  • Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline: Provides a safe space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional well-being. They support people to explore the right options for themselves and aspire to a society where all LGBT+ people are informed and empowered. 

  • Rights of Women: A women’s charity aim to provide women with the legal advice and information.

  • Women's Aid: Survivor-centred website offers a live chat, directly supporting survivors through national support services.

  • Men’s Advice Line: For male domestic abuse survivors. Call their support line 0808 801 0327

  • ManKind: Support for men witnessing, experiencing or supporting others who are experiencing domestic violence. Call their support line 01823 334244.

  • Stepping Stones (Luton and Central Bedfordshire): A women's charity dedicated to empowering women who have suffered domestic abuse or are vulnerable due to substance misuse by providing hope and the skills and resources to make positive life choices.

  • London Black Women's Project: Specialist and dedicated organisation for BME women and girls who experience violence and abuse and/or who are at risk. Telephone: 0808 2000 247.

  • Asian Women Resource Centre: Support to women and children who have been affected by domestic abuse, forced marriages, honour based and faith-based abuse. Telephone: 020 8961 5701.

  • Chinese Information and Advice Centre: Free information, advice and support to.women and families in distress, advice and support to victims of domestic violence. ​​​​​

  • Rape Crisis UK: Provide specialist support and services to women and girls who have experienced sexual violence.

  • Karma Nirvana is a national organisation which provides support for women who are at risk of or who are experiencing honour-based abuse or forced marriage. You can call the Honour-Based Abuse Helpline if you need help or advice for free on 0800 5999 247. 
  • IKWRO provide advice, support, advocacy in Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish, Dari, Pashto, Farsi, and English to women and girls facing forced marriage, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and ‘honour’-based violence. If you need help or advice, please call: 0207 920 6460. 

  • Forced Marriage Unit: Government office providing information and advice for British nationals forced into marriage. Telephone: 020 7008 0151 or Out of hours telephone: 020 7008 1500

  • Learning Disability Helpline, run by Mencap, provides free help and advice for people with a learning disability, their family and carers. They are not a domestic abuse service but they can help give advice about lots of topics, including social care, benefits, housing and bullying. Their phone number is 0808 808 1111, or you can email them at helpline@mencap.org.uk.  

  • Respond: Support for people with learning disabilities who have experienced trauma/abuse: 0808 808 0700

  • Deafhope: Domestic and sexual abuse support for the deaf community. Telephone: 020 3947 2600 Text: 079 7035 0366

  • SignHealth provides domestic abuse support and advocacy to Deaf people across the UK. You can find videos in BSL relating to domestic abuse on their website. You can contact SignHealth by texting 07800 003421, or by emailing da@signhealth.co.uk.  

  • The emergency SMS service lets deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired people in the UK send an SMS text message to the UK 999 service where it will be passed to the police, ambulance, fire rescue, or coastguard.

  • 999 BSL allows deaf people to make emergency calls using an app or website, connecting callers with a BSL interpreter. It is free to use and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new sign language-based service does not require registration, meaning callers can use it as long as the app or webpage is open. To make a call with 999 BSL, users need to open the app or webpage, then press a red button that will connect them to an interpreter.

Back to staying safe: domestic violence support