• The 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline. Call 0808 2000 247
• The Men's Advice Line - a national charity dedicated to helping and supporting male victims of domestic abuse. Call 0808 8010327.
• Galop – national helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence. Call 0800 999 5428.
• Karma Nirvana - supporting victims of honour-based abuse including forced marriage. Call 0800 5999 247
• FCO Forced Marriage Unit - a government helpline dedicated to supporting British Nationals overseas and in the UK who are affected by or at risk of a forced marriage. Call 020 7008 0151 (or 0044 20 7008 0151 if you are overseas)
• NSPCC FGM helpline - if you're worried a child is at risk of or has already had FGM, call the free, anonymous dedicated FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email [email protected]
• National Stalking Helpline - for victims of stalking, their friends, family and professionals. Call the helpline 0808 802 0300 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am-4pm, Wednesday 1pm-4pm) stalking helpline enquiry form 
• Southall Black Sisters - advocacy and information for Asian and Afro-Caribbean women suffering abuse
• Muslim Women’s Network Helpline - national specialist faith and culturally sensitive helpline that is confidential. Call 0800 999 5786, text 07415 206 936 or email [email protected]
• The Traveller Movement (TM) - Help for Gypsies, Roma and Traveller women call/whatsApp 0754 1637 795
• Vestar specialist family support - Support for Polish victims of domestic abuse. Email [email protected] call 07545075093 (Mon - Thur 9:30 -15:00)

Find out about a partner's past - Clare's Law

• If you're worried about your partner or ex-partner's behaviour, you can find out if they've a criminal history of violence or abuse in their previous relationships. You can also request this information about the partner of a close friend or family member, if you're concerned about them.

If you’re a man in an abusive relationship, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Abuse of men happens far more often than you might expect - in both heterosexual and same sex relationships.

Figures suggest that as many as 1 in 6 victims of domestic abuse are male. However, men are often reluctant to report abuse because they feel embarrassed, fear they won’t be believed, or are scared that their partner will take revenge.

If you are a man experiencing domestic violence and you need emergency help you can call the police on 999.

Men have exactly the same rights as women to be safe in their own homes. All statutory services (the police, Crown Prosecution Service, housing departments and social services) have a duty to provide services to all, whatever their gender. Men are protected by exactly the same laws as women, anyone who has assaulted another person, regardless of the gender of either, can be prosecuted.

Admitting the problem and seeking help doesn’t mean you have failed as a man or as a husband. You are not to blame, and you are not weak.

There are several specialist agencies that can provide you with the help and support  during this difficult time.

Safe/Emergency Accommodation

While there are very few refuge, safe houses or supported housing facilities available in the UK for male victims, local authorities have a duty to ensure domestic abuse victims (and children) are able to access emergency housing. The Homelessness and Housing Advice Service can assist you in finding alternative accommodation in an emergency and provide advice on housing options. They can also arrange to install extra safety measures in your current home – known` as a ‘sanctuary scheme’ if deemed safe. For further information Email [email protected] or call 01925 246868 (out of hours: 01925 444400)

Support and advice

• Warrington Domestic Abuse hub - the service offers an IDVA who specialises in supporting male survivors. Call 01925 243359
• Men’s Advice Line: for men experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Call the helpline 0808 801 0327 or email [email protected]
• ManKind: the ManKind initiative operates a confidential helpline for men who experience violence from their partners or ex-partners. Call the helpline 01823 334244
• Galop – National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence, Call 0800 999 5428
• Survivors UK: for adult male survivors of rape or sexual assault. Text 020 3322 1860 or email [email protected]

Children are affected by domestic abuse both in the short and long term, whether they are abused themselves or if they’ve seen it happen, or think it’s happening, to someone else in the family.

• Diamond - Counselling and Therapeutic Support Service for Children and Young people affected by Domestic Abuse, make a referral  
• Warrington Domestic Abuse hub - advice, emotional and practical support for women, men and young people. Call 01925 243359
• The Hideout – to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action
• The Children’s Society – guidance for young people on both domestic abuse and teen relationship abuse
• The NSPCC has issued guidance for spotting and reporting the signs of abuse in children and adults.
• Sexual abuse support services for Children and Young People

Report that a child or young person is being, or is at risk of being abused

Child to Parent Abuse is where a child (of any age) displays repeated abusive behaviours towards a parent. This abuse may be physical, verbal, economic, digital, coercive or even sexual.

Child to Parent Abuse is often misunderstood and complex, parents often don’t feel able to speak out around the abuse due to stigma and others not understanding the abuse they are facing is in fact domestic abuse. There is often an element of blame and shame faced by parents as well as isolation with many professionals still blaming parents and directing them to parenting courses or behavioural management programmes.

Statistics show that behaviours commonly start before the child is six, with abusive behaviours continuing after they turn 18 and into adulthood. 2 in five of those affected do not feel able to keep their family safe, and around 70% have had to reduce their hours or leave work completely. This highlights the significant impact Child to Parent Abuse has on a family and why there is a need for multiagency support and awareness to be made.

The abusive behaviours also often target others in the family home, including siblings and pets. Even if not directly targeted, siblings often withdraw from the family in response – for example, by spending more time outside the home or by withdrawing into their bedrooms. 36% of those displaying abusive behaviours have also harmed or even killed a family pet or other animal.

• Warrington DA Hub – the service offers a lead that specialises in Child to Parent Abuse. Call 01925 243359
• Parental Education Growth Support (PEGS) - Founded as a response to the lack of support services specifically designed to help parents, carers and guardians experiencing Child to Parent Abuse.
• Respect - Respect offers support to professionals to respond effectively to young people who use violence and abuse towards their parents. They deliver training and workforce development.
• Family Lives - confidential helpline and web chat, offers live online chat, email support or a confidential helpline, for parents experiencing any form of stress or difficulty in their lives. (During the night, calls are redirected to the Samaritans helpline)

• Karma Nirvana Honour Network Helpline - support for victims and survivors of forced marriage and honour based abuse. Call 0800 5999 247

• NSPCC FGM helpline – if you’re worried that a child is at risk of, or has had, female genital mutilation. Call 0800 028 3550

• Warrington Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre - support, advocacy, counselling and information for those affected by rape, sexual assault or abuse. Call 01925 221546 or view support information [PDF]
• Survivors UK For adult male survivors of rape or sexual assault. Text 020 3322 1860 or email [email protected]
• Sexual abuse support services for Children and Young People
• Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) – www.stmaryscentre.org or www.safeplacemerseyside.org.uk

Some adults may be more at risk and less able to protect themselves from harm or abuse. This might be because they’re older, or have a disability, an addiction or a physical or mental illness.

If you feel a vulnerable adult is unable to make decisions for themselves and is likely to remain at risk of abuse, you should call the Adult Social Care First Response Team on 01925 443322 outside of office hours call 01925 652222 or in a non emergency situation call the police on 101. In an emergency always call 999.

• Warrington Adult Safeguarding Board
• Hourglass - confidential helpline for anyone concerned about abuse of an older person. Call 0808 808 8141

• SignHealth - domestic abuse support for deaf people in British Sign Language (BSL). Call 020 3947 2601, text, WhatsApp, Facetime 07970 350366, or email [email protected]

  
   

Online support is more crucial than ever before. Below are some online services you can use to report the abuse and access support.

• Bright Sky - app which provides support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know. The app is available in several languages including English, Urdu, Punjabi and Polish
• Chayn - provides online tools, information, courses and support for people experiencing abuse. Their DIY online safety guide details how to secure devices or clear browsing history after you've accessed a website
• The Survivors' Forum - an online resource for survivors of domestic abuse. It aims to be a place where survivors can support each other and share their experiences
• Women's Aid -  national charity supporting women impacted by domestic abuse is currently offering an online chat service
• Respect Phoneline is a national, confidential and anonymous helpline for anyone concerned about their violence or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner. A team of skilled professionals can offer advice, information and support to help you stop being violent and abusive to your partner. Respect is also currently offering a web chat service

The national charity Safelives has developed the campaign #Reachin that highlights how informal networks can support someone experiencing domestic abuse.

It provides tips on staying in touch and being that lifeline during Covid-19 and beyond. If you are worried about the safety of your loved ones/neighbour then make the call of help to the police on 101 as they are unable to.

Research by Surviving Economic Abuse found that one in six UK adults has experienced economic abuse by a current or former partner. Over a third didn’t tell anyone at the time. Those who did were most likely to confide in family and friends. Spotting the signs of economic abuse for family and friends.

• Warrington domestic abuse hub - The service offers an IDVA who specialises in supporting LGBTQ+ survivors. Call 01925 243359. 
• Galop - National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence 0800 999 5428