Domestic Abuse is defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, psychological, emotional or other abuse between those aged 16 and over or personally connected to each other.

Abuse might be between married couples, boyfriends and girlfriends or between lesbian or gay couples or even child to parent abuse.

There is lots of support available for you if you are suffering domestic abuse or if you are worried about someone who is.

Help is also available for people who would like support to stop being violent and abusive to their partner. 

Contact details for local and national support services for domestic abuse

National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247

The 24hr freephone National Domestic Violence Helpline (run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The helpline is answered by fully trained female support workers and volunteers, who will answer your call in confidence.

Website:https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/

Website: Home | Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline (nationaldahelpline.org.uk) 

Men’s Advice Line - 0808 801 0327 

Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members).  

Call freephone Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm

Website: https://mensadviceline.org.uk/

Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk 

Respect  - 0808 802 4040

Confidential helpline offering advice, information and support to help you stop being violent and abusive to your partner.  You can call them in confidence and for free.

Website: https:// respectphoneline.org.uk/

Mankind – 0182 3334 244

Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)

Website: https://mankind.org.uk/

Galop - 0800 999 5428

If you identify as LGBT+ you can call Galop for emotional and practical support.

Website: https://galop.org.uk/

Email: help@galop.or.uk

Karma Nirvana – 0800 5999 247

For forced marriage and honour crimes. Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Website: https://karmanirvana.org.uk/

Forced Marriage Unit - 020 7008 0151

Website: https://www.gov.uk/stop-forced-marriage

Samaritans – 116 123

In an emergency always phone the police on 999.

Use the 101 number to call the police if it’s not an emergency

When babies cry it can be stressful and overwhelming. Help is out there and all you need to do is ask.

If you are a new parent we want to offer support and advice to you that babies will cry and this is normal.

It’s okay to walk away if you have checked the baby is safe.

Please visit the following sites for information https://iconcope.org/  and https://www.cry-sis.org.uk/

If you are concerned that your baby may be unwell, you can contact your GP during opening hours on 0121 612 2500 or NHS 111 (go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111) In an emergency, ring 999.