Please help us prevent the spread of winter viruses by not visiting patients in our hospitals if you feel unwell. Find out here about how to protect our staff and patients when planning a visit to one of our hospitals

Sub menu

Domestic abuse in the coronavirus outbreak

The Covid-19 pandemic can cause anxiety for those who are experiencing or feel at risk of abuse.

If you are in immediate danger call 999

  • If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police - the police will continue to respond to emergency calls.
  • If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999 and then press 55.
  • This will transfer your call to the relevant police force who will assist you without you having to speak.

 

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline website provides guidance and support for potential victims, as well as those who are worried about friends and loved ones.

They can also be called, for free and in confidence, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. The website also has a form through which women can book a safe time for a call from the team.

 

SafeLives

SafeLives, the charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, has a wealth of information and support on their website including this safety planning guide.

 

Other support available

 

Suffolk

 

Bury St Edmunds Women’s Aid Centre: 01284 753085

www.burystedmundswomensaid.org.uk

Refuge open, please call for vacancy information.

Continue to accept referrals for all services. All face to face appointments are held following a full Covid19 risk assessment, and following all government guidelines regarding infection control, social distancing and PPE.

 

Anglia Care Trust Freephone advice line for victims: 0800 9775690

For professionals call 01473 618660 or email admin@angliacaretrust.org.uk

www.angliacaretrust.org.uk

Open as normal for referrals although staff are working from home so telephone and video messaging support being offered

 

Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care:  0300 303 3706 

Email: nsvictimcare@victimsupport.org.uk

https://www.nsvictimcare.org/contact-us/

Open as normal for referrals and providing telephone support

 

Lighthouse Women’s Aid: 01473 228270

www.lighthousewa.org.uk

Refuge: The Refuge will be running with the Covid risk assessment in place. We will be taking new referrals, bearing in mind the self isolation procedures needed.

Centre:- The Centre will continue to run the following programmes online: Freedom Programme, Power to Change and Escape the Trap.

Advice and crisis appointments will be by phone. Phone queries will be answered as normal.

 

Alumah: 07770 468698

www.alumah.co.uk

Alumah are accepting referrals and are continuing to run groups virtually. They are also offering the freedom programme online on Wednesday mornings. Escape the Trap are online at various times (please contact Claudette@alumah.co.uk for details). We also have a young persons' drop in via whatsapp, a creative group (Thursday morning online) and, although there is a waiting list, we still offer counselling.

 

Compassion: 07597 337831

www.compass-ion.org

michelle@compassion.org

Referrals by email only.  Telephone, email and text support to clients.  Freedom programmes suspended. 

 

Waveney domestic violence and abuse forum: 01502 572143 or 07906 245979

www.waveneydvforum.org.uk

info@waveneydvforum.org.uk

Offices remain open at the Kirkley Centre, providing advice and guidance via telephone, text and email, and accessing support for clients. Accepting referrals for Trauma Therapy and therapists are currently providing Therapeutic Support sessions & Trauma Therapy virtually.

 

Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Service

www.Leewaysupport.org

adviceandsupport@leewaynwa.ork.uk

Continue to support high risk clients with telephone support 0300 561 0077 and email.

 

(Sexual Assault Referral Centre – SARC) The Ferns: 0300 1235058

www.theferns-suffolk.org.uk

contact@theferns-suffolk.org.uk or

Duty ISVA telephone 07866 142139 or isva.theferns@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

ISVAs are all working remotely, they will continue with supporting clients via telephone, email, Skype and in the very near future via Zoom.

 

Suffolk Rape Crisis – 0800 085 0520

www.srchelp.org.uk

administration@srchelp.org.uk

If you feel there are any barriers to you accessing your usual support or the online groups over the next month please get in touch with your worker or the office. We can put things in place to make it easier, including:

  • Access to tablets, smartphones and wifi
  • Travel, childcare and other accessibility costs
  • One off taster sessions to try out the technology and see how the groups work.

If you have any questions or concerns of if there is anything we can do to support you in this time, please get in touch.

 

Survivors in Transition – 01473 232499 / 07765 052282

www.survivorsintransition.co.uk

support@survivorsintransition.co.uk

Open for referrals, telephone support being provided. Confidential abuse support for young people (13+) in Suffolk can be accessed at www.tope.org.uk.

 

Fresh Start New Beginnings – 01473 353355

www.fsnb.org.uk

Open for referrals, telephone support being provided.

 

Phoebe

http://www.phoebecentre.org.uk

01473 231566

Continue to support migrant, black and Asian women and children via phone and text.

 

Nationwide

National Domestic Violence Helpline:  0808 2000 247 

Click here to visit the helpline's webpage.

 

Women’s Aid

www.womensaid.org.uk

Webchat available via website

Helpline@womensaid.org.uk

 

GALOP (LBGT): 0800 999 5428 

http://www.galop.org.uk/ 

 

Mankind Initiative (Male Victims): 01823 334244 

https://www.mankind.org.uk/

 

Men’s Advice Line (Male Victims): 0808 801 0327

http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk/

 

Respect (for abusers): 020 3559 6650 

http://respect.uk.net/