What can I do if I have been affected by domestic violence and abuse?
Domestic violence and abuse is not acceptable.
Important: If you feel in immediate danger, dial 999 straight away and wait in a safe place for the police to arrive.
Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading or violent behaviour, by a partner, ex-partner, family member or carer. 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 abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse or sexual abuse, economic abuse, harassment and stalking, and online or digital abuse.
It will be taken seriously if you talk about this with a health professional.
There are many organisations that can help. They can help with a range of issues from crisis intervention, advocacy, housing, to safety planning. See the links below.
If you know someone who is affected by domestic violence or abuse, you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers. If you are yourself have been a victim of domestic abuse you can report this to the police.
Useful Links for help
- ADViSE service
The ADViSE service offers advice and advocacy to any gender survivor of domestic abuse (DVA) or sexual violence (SV) at any point in your life. We can help you to talk about what happened to you, help you feel safe, understand your rights and recover from the effects of DVA and SV.
If you have an appointment with a clinician or are coming in to the clinic for support you can speak to a clinician who can refer you or you can contact us directly on 0117 925 0680 and asking to speak to a member of the ADViSE team.
If you are a member of the public not seeking support from UNITY then you can contact Nextlink (below). - Next Link
Information, advice and practical support for all gender survivors of DVA. They offer a range of services including a helpline, crisis intervention, safe housing, community support and support for children.
http://www.nextlinkhousing.co.uk - National Domestic Abuse helpline
National helpline for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, and people calling on their behalf. Free 24-hour helpline 0808 2000 247
- Men’s advice line
Men’s Advice Line is a national helpline for male survivors of DVA. They offer free telephone support 0808 8010327 Mon–Fri 10am-8pm.
- Specialist support for other survivors
Galop: Support for LGBT+ people who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, so-called conversion therapies, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and other forms of abuse.
Karma Nirvana: For honour-based abuse and forced marriage survivors
Opoka: For female Polish survivors of DVA
- Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council has links to lots of useful information.
- Avon and Somerset Police
Avon and Somerset Police have a dedicated service for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Important: If you feel in immediate danger as a result of domestic abuse, dial 999 straight away and wait in a safe place for the police to arrive.
- Reprovide (for abusive male partners)
If you are a male who is worried about your own behaviour towards a partner or family member, Reprovide offers a free domestic abuse group for men who want to change their behaviour in their relationship.
This is part of a University of Bristol research study.
- Crimestoppers
You can report domestic violence or abuse anonymously to Crimestoppers on freephone number 0800 555 1115