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How to signal for help when working from home.

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How to signal for help when working from home.

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Domestic Violence Awareness Video

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Domestic Violence Awareness Video  2020_Kaleidoscopic UK

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For many people, home is not a place of safety. It's more important than ever that help continues to be available to adults and children living with abuse. But with lockdowns, restrictions and isolation, it can be more difficult for professionals who work with people experiencing abuse to provide support to those who need it.

If you need help now

If you, or someone else, is in immediate danger please call 999 and ask for the police. Silent calls will work if you are not safe to speak - use the Silent Solution system and call 999 and then press 55 when prompted. If you can't use a voice phone, you can register with the police text service - text REGISTER to 999. You will get a text which tells you what to do next. Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger. Find out more.

Remember, Government rules about household isolation as a result of coronavirus do not apply to you if you are experiencing abuse at home at home. You can reach out for support. Find out how to get help.

Supporting victims, survivors and professionals

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic we've been sharing resources to help. But we know things are moving quickly at the moment.

You'll find more information below about how we've been supporting professionals and people experiencing abuse or take a look at resources for:

If you live in Scotland, please also see our Safe at Home in Scotland guidance.

Survivors' voices

During the first lockdown in Spring 2020, we ran a survey to hear the voices of victims and survivors. Here's what they told us. For more information, see a report of the latest results.

These findings have been shared with the Government to tell them what people experiencing abuse need.

Codeword scheme

Early in the pandemic our incredible group of Pioneer survivors put forward the idea of a code word to be used in the few shops allowed to be open - supermarkets and pharmacies. With support from the DA Commissioner and Victim's Commissioner, we proposed a scheme to the Home Office.

We're delighted to have been able to work with them in creating Ask for ANI. Read more about the scheme and participating pharmacies.

Listen to our latest podcast

Spotlight is the podcast that shines a light on the issues around domestic abuse. Listen to our latest episode below or see the full series on Soundcloud.

Working with the Government

We recognise that the Government has had to introduce emergency measures to protect those who are vulnerable to the coronavirus and to ensure that essential services can continue to function. However, this also increases the risk to people experiencing abuse.

Our briefing for MPs on the Coronavirus Bill sets out the key issues faced by people experiencing abuse at this time and what must be done to support them.

You may also be interested in:

Further reading and resources

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For many people, home is not a place of safety. It's more important than ever that help continues to be available to adults and children living with abuse. But with lockdowns, restrictions and isolation, it can be more difficult for professionals who work with people experiencing abuse to provide support to those who need it.

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Domestic violence surges during coronavirus lockdowns | COVID-19 Special

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Domestic violence surges during coronavirus lockdowns | COVID-19 Special

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Hidden in Plain Sight

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Hidden in Plain Sight - Coercive Control and Domestic Abuse

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Video title: Refuge's 24-hour, Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Video duration: 1 minute 20 seconds
Description: Information video on what it is like to call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline and who can call it.

Refuge's 24-hour, Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline 'Transcript'

[Background music plays]

Soft down beat music

[Animated sequence]

Animation in hand-drawn style showing a woman in a house standing behind a man on a sofa. The woman looks worried and the man appears angry, a speech bubble comes out of the man's mouth.

[Text displays]

!*!!*!!

[Female voice over]

I was walking on eggshells around my partner didn't know where to turn.

[Animated sequence]

The door in the background slams shut. We zoom in on it and it turns into a smart mobile phone in the women's hand. The phone displays the details of the National Domestic Abuse Helpline Number and a green phone icon. Her finger hovers over the phone icon.

[Text displays]

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247

[Female voice over]

I'd read about refuges National Domestic Abuse Helpline, but I was hesitant to call.

[Animated sequence]

The scene transitions to the woman sitting on a couch to the left of the screen, and another woman, the Helpline adviser, sitting on the right on a computer. They are facing each other. The screen is split into two different backgrounds with a window in the background that crosses over both.

[Female voice over]

The woman I spoke to really understood my situation though, it was such a relief just to talk.

[Animated sequence]

The woman begins to smile. The blinds in the window open up to show a sun and both rooms become brighter.

[Animated sequence]

Scene transitions to a top down view of the Helpline worker writing on lined paper.

[Female voice over]

I was reassured that it was a confidential and non-judgmental service run by a charity.

[Text displays]

Confidential

Non-judgemental

[Female voice over]

She said I could ring at any time, even if I just wanted to talk about what I was going through

[Text displays]

Any time

Just talk

[Female voice over]

It's free and open 24 hours a day.

[Text displays]

Free

24 hours

[Animated sequence]

Scene zooms out to show a group of five women of mixed races and ages including the Helpline adviser from the earlier scene.

[Female voice over]

It was comforting to know that the helpline is staffed by an all female team of experts,

[Animated sequence]

Scene zooms out to show smart mobile phone showing an animation of the live chat page on nationaldahelpline.org.uk. The women's finger begins to type.

[Female voice over]

and that I can also contact them using live chat.

[Sound effect]

Keys tapping

[Animated sequence]

The phone fades away and four framed picture swing into view. They show four women of various ages and races, one of who is pictured with a child, including the women from the first scene.

[Female voice over]

I was told that the helpline is open to any woman who is afraid of her partner,

[Sound effect]

Glass cracking

[Animated sequence]

The glass in one of the picture frames cracks

[Text displays]

[Female voice over]

whether you're being physically abused or not

[Animated sequence]

The picture of the woman from the first scene is zoomed in on. She picks up her mobile phone as the frame turns into a circle. Another circular frame, showing the Helpline adviser, comes into view and begins to merge with the woman's frame. The woman and the Helpline worker turn to face each other and hold hands.

[Female voice over]

The Helpline advisor helped me realise I'm not alone and reassured me it wasn't my fault.

[Text displays]

I'm not alone

[Animated sequence]

Scene scrolls across to show the woman looking in a mirror and hugging herself. She begins to smile.

[Female voice over]

That was really empowering and I began to believe in myself again.

She made me feel like I had choices.

[Background music plays]

Music becomes more upbeat

[Animated sequence]

Scene zooms in on mirror until the frame is not visible. The background transitions to show a countryside scene with rolling hills, trees and butterflies. The woman lifts a hot drink to take a sip and closes her eyes.

[Female voice over]

From that moment on, I could see a life free from violence and fear.

That phone call was the beginning of the rest of my life.

[Animated sequence]

The woman opens her eyes and looks up.

[Animated sequence]

Scene fades to show black text on a white background below the Refuge pink and black logo.

[Text displays]

Refuge's Freephone, 24 hour, National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
Call us on 0808 2000 247
Or visit wwww.nationaldahelpline.org.uk for information and support, including our live chat and secure online contact form.

We know our lines are often busy but we really want to hear from you.

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Home | Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline

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Video title: Refuge's 24-hour, Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline Video duration: 1 minute 20 seconds Description: Information video on what it is like to call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline and who can call it.

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Anyone can experience domestic abuse. If you're worried about your own relationship or frightened of someone close to you, there is help available.
What is the definition of domestic abuse? Facts and stats about domestic abuse Key statistics about domestic abuse in England and Wales More facts about domestic abuse What is the definition of domestic abuse?
The UK government's definition of domestic abuse is "any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional."
Facts and stats about domestic abuse
Official statistics show the number of incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the authorities every year. But the problem is much bigger than shown in official statistics, as many victims and children don't tell anyone about the abuse, and they are not recorded as crimes. That's why SafeLives also uses data from our Insights database - the largest national database of domestic abuse cases in the UK, with more than 35,000 records from 2009 to date.
Key statistics about domestic abuse in England and Wales

Each year nearly 2 million people in the UK suffer some form of domestic abuse - 1.3 million female victims (8.2% of the population) and 600,000 male victims (4%) ²

Each year more than 100,000 people in the UK are at high and imminent risk of being murdered or seriously injured as a result of domestic abuse ³

Women are much more likely than men to be the victims of high risk or severe domestic abuse: 95% of those going to Marac or accessing an Idva service are women 4,

In 2013-14 the police recorded 887,000 domestic abuse incidents in England and Wales ²

Seven women a month are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales ²

130,000 children live in homes where there is high-risk domestic abuse ³

62% of children living with domestic abuse are directly harmed by the perpetrator of the abuse, in addition to the harm caused by witnessing the abuse of others 1

On average high-risk victims live with domestic abuse for 2.3 years before getting help

85% of victims sought help five times on average from professionals in the year before they got effective help to stop the abuse

More facts about domestic abuse
How widespread is domestic violence and what is the impact?
Who are the victims of domestic abuse?
How long do people live with domestic abuse, and when do they get help to stop it?
Sources
1 Caada (2014), In Plain Sight: Effective help for children exposed to domestic abuse. Bristol: Caada.

² ONS (2016), March 2015 Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW)

³ SafeLives (2015), Getting it right first time: policy report. Bristol: SafeLives.

⁴ SafeLives (2015), Insights Idva National Dataset 2013-14. Bristol: SafeLives.

SafeLives (2014), Marac national dataset 2014. Bristol: SafeLives.

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Anyone can experience domestic abuse. If you're worried about your own relationship or frightened of someone close to you, there is help available. What is the definition of domestic abuse? Facts and stats about domestic abuse Key statistics about domestic abuse in England and Wales More facts about domestic abuse What is the definition of domestic abuse?

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Information & guidance on domestic violence.

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Information & guidance on domestic violence.

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Domestic abuse or violence is a crime and should be reported to the police - call 999 if it's an emergency or you're in immediate danger

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domestic violence law - guide to domestic violence law - domestic violence law info

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Domestic violence law provides the criminal rules for punishing those who cause emotional or physical harm to others with whom they share a family or