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Help with domestic abuse

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Emergency services

Call 999 if you are reporting a crime that is in progress or if someone is in immediate danger. For non-emergencies, you can call the police on 101.

Domestic abuse can be any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour or violence. It's experienced by those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality

Incidents experienced by those under 16 would be called child abuse.

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to:

  • coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
  • psychological or emotional abuse
  • physical abuse
  • sexual abuse
  • financial abuse
  • harassment
  • stalking
  • online or digital abuse

Where to get help

Local support organisations:

  • BCP BCHA Domestic Abuse Referrals & Support Line: 01202 710 777
  • BCP Refuge: 01202 547 755
  • Citizen Advice Bureau: 01202 290 967
  • Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service (STARS): 01202 308 855
  • Victim Support: 0808 168 9111 (National support)
  • Victim Support: 0300 303 0163 (Dorset support)

There are also national organisations which can help:

If you belong to a specific community check the Directory of National By and For Services.

Specialist help

Beacon have produced a toolkit for people with visual impairment who suffer from Domestic Violence.

Durham University have produced an Autistic guide to health Relationships

Domestic violence

  • National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV)
    0800 970 2070
  • The National 24 Domestic Violence Helpline
    0808 2000 247

Men

  • Mankind Initiative For men experiencing/have experienced domestic abuse 01823 334 244
  • Survivors UK For men who have been raped or sexually abused 0845 122 1201

These are support organisations specifically for men, but men can also contact most other organisations on this list, that aren't specifically for women or children. Contact them for more information. 

Forced marriage and honour based abuse or crimes

  • Forced Marriage Unit For anyone who believes they are going to be forced to marry as well as anyone who wants to leave a forced marriage 020 7008 0151
  • Karma Nirvana For those experiencing so called 'honour' based abuse and/or forced marriage 0800 5999 247

Young people

Support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community

  • Galop - LGBT anti-violence and abuse charity support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had experienced hate crime, sexual violence, domestic abuse, problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system 0300 999 5428
  • The Intercom Trust Intercom Trust is a lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community resource in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and the wider South West 0800 612 3010.

Stalking

People who identify as abusers and want to stop

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