Domestic abuse support

Where can I get help?

We know that COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has had a serious impact on the lives of women, children and men who are experiencing domestic abuse. Fears over jobs, financial pressure, school closures, working from home and all the other current changes may result in an increase in domestic abuse incidents.

If you are already living with domestic abuse, then some of the previous restrictions put in place while the government tried to slow the spread of the virus have probably left you fearful of being isolated in the house with your abuser. You may also feel as if there is nowhere to go for help. You may not have been able to see the friends and family who usually supported you, and some of the places where you go for help or treatment may have been closed or offering a reduced service. Please remember that you can always call 999 if you or someone else is in danger.

These local and national organisations are still working hard to ensure they can still support you:

  • Helpline and Engagement Service - provided by Free from Violence and Abuse (freeva.org.uk) – 0808 802 0028
    Free from Violence and Abuse (FreeVA) offer a range of services for victims of Domestic Abuse (DA) and Sexual Violence (SV). They are the ‘front door’ into any DA/SV support across Leicestershire. As appropriate service users will receive further ongoing support from the relevant services (including one to one, groupwork both face to face and via digital platforms, refuge and disbursed accommodation), this will be co-ordinated by the Helpline and Engagement Service

  • Leicestershire Safe Accommodation Support Service - provided by Women’s Aid Leicestershire Limited (wa-leicester.org.uk)
    Women's Aid Leicestershire (WALL) are the local support specialist service providers offering accommodation to those affected by domestic/sexual violence that requires emergency accommodation to flee to a place of safety 

  • Domestic Abuse Locality Service - provided by Living Without Abuse (lwa.org.uk)
    Living Without Abuse (LWA) provide information, advice, guidance and practical and emotional support to anybody experiencing domestic abuse in Leicestershire, the service offers outreach support to all victims of domestic abuse

  • National Domestic Abuse Helpline (refuge.org.uk) - support for domestic abuse, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, honour-based violence and human trafficking/slavery
    Telephone: 0808 2000 247 (freephone 24 hours)

If you are a child or young person and domestic abuse is happening in your home or you believe your relationship is unhealthy, then you can call Childline for support on 0800 1111 or visit childline (childine.org.uk) for further information. You can also visit Kooth (kooth.com) to see how they help.

Last updated: 24/05/2023 09:42