Support line: 0117 961 2999 Office line: 0117 961 3065
Free phone 24 hr National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Run in partnership between Women’s Aid & Refuge

Useful Links

Women’s Aid

A national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.

Refuge

Refuge’s network of safe houses provides emergency accommodation for women and children when they are most in need.

The National Centre for Domestic Violence 
Provides a free, fast emergency service to survivors of domestic violence regardless of their financial circumstances, race, gender or sexual orientation.

Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse 
Helps families after fatal domestic abuse through listening, informing, guiding, advocating and enabling.

Respect 
The UK membership association for domestic violence prevention programmes and integrated support services.

Welsh Women’s Aid 
Represents local Women’s Aid Groups situated throughout Wales.

Scottish Women’s Aid 
Represents local Women’s Aid Groups situated throughout Scotland.

Protection against Stalking 
National charity which aims to create a consistent, professional and effective response to victims of stalking and harassment.

AVA (Against Violence and Abuse) 
A second tier organisation providing a range of services and support to professionals within the sector.

DVCN (Domestic Violence Co-ordinators Network) 
Offers a hub for all those working in partnership on the issues of domestic violence.

Victim Support 
National charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses and their families.

Digital Stalking
Information and advice for individuals that are being monitored and spied on by abusers.

Support for men experiencing domestic abuse

 Dyn Project 

Support for men who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Men’s Advice Line 
A confidential helpline for male victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people experiencing domestic abuse

Broken Rainbow 

Support for LGBT people experiencing domestic violence.

Galop 
Support for LGBT people.
Stonewall 
Working to achieve equality for LGBT people.
PACE 
Promoting wellbeing in LGBT people.
UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group 
Promotes equality and dignity for LGBT people who seek asylum in the UK.
Gender Trust 
Supporting people affected by gender identity issues.

Support for those experiencing sexual abuse

Rape Crisis 

Provides a range of services for women and girls who have been raped.

The Survivor’s Trust 
The umbrella agency for sexual abuse support agencies (male and female).

Support for professionals working with children affected by domestic abuse

Coram Children’s Legal Centre 

Specialises in law and policy affecting children and young people.
National Association of Child Contact Centres 
Promotes safe access for child contact across the UK.
Gingerbread 
Advice, practical support and campaigning for single parents.
NSPCC 
Charity committed to ending child cruelty in the UK.

Support for professionals working with victims of stalking

Digital Stalking

Information and advice for professionals about the technology and types of risks involved for victims.

Government services

Information Commissioners Office 

Independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest.
Home Office 
Strategic vision to end violence against women and girls.
Department of Health 
Information on their strategy to combat violence against women and children.
Home Office VAWG newsletter 
News and information on Violence against Women and Girls from the Home Office.
Sentencing Council 
Promotes greater transparency and consistency in sentencing.
Ministry of Justice 
Work spans criminal, civil and family justice, democracy and rights.
National Probation Service 
A key part of the criminal justice system for England and Wales.
National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) 
Improving public safety by building capability and providing expertise to police forces.
Association of Chief Police Offices (ACPO) 
Brings together the expertise and experience of chief police officers from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Crown Prosecution Service 
Responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.
Attorney General’s Office 
Provides high quality legal and strategic policy advice and support to the Attorney General and the Solicitor General.
Legal Services Commission 
Runs the legal aid scheme in England and Wales.

Mental health organisations
Mind
Sane 
Young Minds 
Rethink 
Depression Alliance
Mental After Care Association 
Counselling Directory

Substance abuse organisations
Talk to Frank 
Alcohol Concern
Drugscope 

Homelessness organisations
Shelter 
Citizens Advice 

Black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee and honour-based violence (HBV) organisations
IMKAAN 
A national second-tier charity dedicated to the development of the BAMER Violence against women and girls sector.
Southall Black Sisters 
Campaigns on behalf of women’s rights and has a resource centre for women experiencing abuse.
Bawso
BAWSO support people from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds in Wales who are affected by domestic abuse and other forms of abuse.
Newham Asian Women’s Project 
Provides advice and support to women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
Ashian 
Provides temporary, safe, supportive housing for South Asian, Turkish and Iranian women experiencing domestic abuse.
Karma Nirvana 
Supports all victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage.
Forced Marriage Unit 
Provides direct casework and information to anyone who is forced into marriage.
Halo Project
This project supports victims of ‘honour’-based violence and forced marriage in the North East.
Nowe życie bez przemocy (A new life without violence)
Information for victims of domestic violence who are Polish and who live in England and Wales.

Immigration
Border and Immigration Agency 
The government department responsible for immigration.
Office of the
Immigration Services Commissioner
Regulates the provision of immigration advice.
Immigration Advisory Service 
Provides advice on immigration and asylum law to those who are eligible.

Elder abuse
Action on Elder Abuse 
Works to protect and prevent the abuse of older adults.
Age UK 
Aims to improve later life for everyone through information, campaigning and training.
Voice UK 
Information for people with learning difficulties who have suffered abuse.

Miscellaneous
Rights of Women 
Committed to informing, educating and empowering women concerning their legal rights.
Home Group
Housing association which provides general needs housing and supported housing services targeted towards helping some of society’s most vulnerable people. Home Group has a domestic abuse service finder.

One Space

One Space is a community for single parents with support from experienced parenting facilitators bringing together essential information, interactive learning & friendly forums for peer support. It is a lifeline to many who are parenting alone.

Legal advice
Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 (‘FMA’)

Useful numbers
Police non-emergency line – 101
• National Domestic Violence Helpline 24hr – 0808 2000247
• Victim Support – 0845 3030900
• Avon & Bristol Law Centre - 0117 924 8662 (free legal advice)
• Citizen’s Advice Bureau - 0870 1212 134
• The National Centre for Domestic Violence - 0844 8044999 (Information & Support around Injunctions regardless of financial status)
• East Bristol Advice & Information Centre - 0117 9147698 (debt, benefits advice)
• South Gloucestershire Council Benefits Support – 01454 868002
• South Gloucestershire Council Housing Support – 01454 868005
• Shelter – 0808 8004444 (housing support)
• One stop shops - drop in support service for housing, tax and community issues
- Main council offices, Castle Street, Thornbury, BS35 1HF
- Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood, BS15 9TR
- Kennedy Way, Yate, BS37 4DQ
• Immigration Advisory Service - 0207 8814 1559 (24 hour helpline)
• Disability information & Advice Service - 0117 9832828
• Samaritans – 08457 909090
• MIND – 0808 8080330 (mental health advice and support)
• Womankind - 0845 4582914 (counselling and support for women)
• Broken Rainbow 0300 999 5428 (Support for LGBT people suffering from DV)
• The Bridge - 0117 9298868 (Sexual Assault Referral Centre giving support for victims of sexual assault)
• Kinergy 0117 9087712 (counselling for victims of sexual abuse)
• Children and Young Person’s Service - 01454 868008 (information about local support for young people)
• Childline – 08000 1111
• Off the Record – 0808 8089120 (counselling and support for young people
• Help – 0117 9502511 (counselling for 9-25 year olds)