Are you worried that you, or someone you know, is being abused by their partner?

If you are worried that you, or someone you know, is being abused by their partner, there are people who can help. If you are being abused, please remember that it’s not your fault and you can get support.  The information below shows various organisations you can contact to get advice, help and support on anything that is worrying you.

When contacting any of these organisations, you’ll speak to a trained helpline advisor who’ll be able to help you.  All calls will be treated confidentially*, which means they won’t tell anyone else what you have told them. However, if they believe your or someone else’s life is in danger they will have to contact other organisations to help protect you. They’ve helped many young people who have been through what you are experiencing; they won’t be shocked or judge you and will be able to give you advice on what to do next.

If you recognise some of the signs of abusive behaviour within your relationship or think you may be hurting someone you love, you can also get help from organisation such as ChildLine and the Respect Phoneline.

If you are in immediate danger you should always call 999.

* Unlike the other organisations listed below, reports to CEOP (via the ThinkUknow website)  are not confidential. Any information given will be acted upon.

ChildLine

ChildLine

ChildLine provides free confidential advice and support for all young people up to 19 years old.  Whatever your worry, Childine counsellors are here to help. Speak to them by phone, online or email 24 hours a day.

Watch this video to see what happens when you call Childline. You’ll speak to someone who takes your details and puts you through to a counsellor.  The number won’t appear on any bill (landline and mobile).

ChildLine also has a free app called Zipit. If you’re feeling uncomfortable when someone’s trying to get you to send them naked images of yourself, Zipit helps you take control of the situation with smart comebacks to flirty requests.

Rape Crisis

Rape Crisis

If you are a girl who has experienced rape, sexual abuse or sexual assault you can get help, information and support from trained female support workers via their helpline.  They will be able to tell you details of your nearest support services.  They also provide information for partners, family, friends and other people who are supporting a survivor of sexual violence. You can get more information on their website.

  • Phone: 0808 8029999 (Freephone)

  • Opening Times: 12:00 - 14:30 / 19:00 - 21:30 daily

  • Online: www.rapecrisis.org.uk

National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge

National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge

If you are a girl who is experiencing violence, or has experienced it in the past, the National Domestic Violence Helpline can support you. The Helpline is staffed by fully-trained female support workers who can provide confidential, non-judgmental emotional support and information on a range of issues – from reporting to the police, to accessing local services in your area.  All calls are confidential.  You can also call them if you are worried about a friend or someone you know.

The Helpline number will not show up on BT landline phone bills. If you have another service provider, you’ll need to check with their customer services team whether the number will be visible on your bill.

Calls are free from landlines, but other mobile services providers may charge.

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Galop

If you are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender, Galop provides support to all LGB&T young people.  The Helpline is run by trained LGB&T people and provides a space where you can talk through what is going on and explore your options.  You can call them on their helpline, chat online or via email.

  • Phone: 0800 9995428 (Freephone)0300 999 5428 (Local Rate from Mobiles)

  • Opening Times: 10:00 - 17:00 Monday to Friday, 10:00 - 20:00 Wednesday to Thursday

  • Online: http://www.galop.org.uk/ (webchat available) advice@galop.org.uk

Thinkuknow

Thinkuknow

If someone has asked you to do things online that you don’t feel comfortable with, Thinkuknow offers advice to young people on sex, relationships and staying safe online. It may be talking about sex, asking you to send nude photos of yourself, or pressuring you to meet in real life, you can report this using their online Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) ‘Report it’ button. They’ll ask for information about you and what’s happened, which will help them to understand more about the situation and keep you safe. You can also report to CEOP if you are worried about a friend, or someone you know.

The Men’s Advice Line

The Men’s Advice Line

If you are a boy who is experiencing abuse, or have in the past, you can speak to trained advisors who provide support specifically for men experiencing violence from their partners, and who can offer you emotional support and practical advice.

All calls are confidential.

Respect Phoneline

Respect Phoneline

If you are abusing your partner, you can stop and get help to change your behaviour.  There are trained advisors who can provide help and support to men or women who are abusing their partners.

Safeline

Safeline

Safeline provide a range of services to support men in working through their experiences, including free online and telephone counselling.  Safeline has over 20 years’ experience in working with rape and sexual abuse and our research shows that the clients we work with report a significant improvement in their mental health and wellbeing, enabling them to regain control of their lives and play a more active role within their communities.

Call, SMS, IM or email the team for a confidential chat with a trained professional.

  • Phone: Helpline: 0808 800 5005 Text chat: 0786 002 7573

  • Opening Times: 10:00 – 16:00 Monday & Friday08:00 – 20:00 Tuesday & Thursday10:00 – 12:00 Saturday

  • Online: www.safeline.org.uk/men/ (webchat available)

  • Email: support@safeline.org.uk

Live Fear Free Helpline

Live Fear Free Helpline

If you are experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence and live in Wales, you can contact the Live Fear Free Helpline.  The Helpline provides a bilingual information service that helps and guides people who are victims of abuse, and are in need of information or access to support services. This service is also available to those who are worried about a friend or relative and need advice.

All calls are confidential and are taken by highly experienced staff. Click here to find out more on what happens when you call the helpline.

Calls are free from landlines and most mobiles, and will not show up on your phone bill. Some mobile networks may charge for calls to our helpline, contact your network for more information.

Brook

Brook

If you seeking information about anything related to sexual health, ‘Ask Brook’ is a service that gives support and signposting for anyone under 25, anywhere in the UK.

You can contact ‘Ask Brook’ via:

  • Phone: Text chat: 07537 402 024

  • Opening Times: 09:00 - 15:00 Monday - Friday

  • Online: www.brook.org.uk(webchat available)

  • A webchat service run by advisors

  • A text chat service run by advisors

  • The Ask Brook 24/7 tool

Southall Black Sisters

Southall Black Sisters

If you are a woman or child who is Asian, African-Caribbean or other minority, and you are experiencing domestic or sexual violence (including forced marriage, dowry abuse and honour crimes). Southall Black Sisters provides information, advice, advocacy, practical help, counselling and support in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati and Urdu (Interpreters are used for other languages).

IKWRO

IKWRO

If you are a female from a Middle Eastern, North African or Afghan community, IKWRO can help you if you are at risk of “honour” based violence, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and violence. They provide confidential advice, advocacy and make referrals to ensure needs are met as well as offering professional individual and group counselling. They speak Farsi, Arabic, Kurdish, Dari, Pashto, Turkish and English.

  • Phone: 0207 920 6460 (Farsi/ Dari/ Turkish)Out-of-hours emergencies only: 07846 275 246 (Arabic/ Kurdish) 07846 310157 (Farsi/Dari/Turkish)

  • Opening Times: 09:30 - 17:00 Monday - Friday

  • Online: www.ikwro.org.uk

NHS Choices Website

NHS Choices Website

The NHS Choices website has information, advice and help for young people advice on mental health problems including depression, anxiety and stress.

Survivors UK

Survivors UK

If you are a man over the age of 18 and have experienced rape or sexual assault you can get help and advice from specialists in the field of male sexual violence who have helped many men to work through their experiences.

You can phone them or use their web chat service which allows you to have a confidential one-to-one chat with a trained professional.