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Domestic violence is not acceptable - ever!
Domestic violence affects people of every class, age, race, disability, and sexuality. The violence can begin at any stage of a relationship and may continue after the relationship has ended.
It's usually women who are at the receiving end of domestic violence, and it's often men who are responsible. The violence may involve physical abuse, sexual assault and threats. Sometimes it's more subtle, like making someone feel worthless, not letting them have any money, or not allowing them to leave the home. Social isolation and emotional abuse can have long-lasting effects as well as physical violence.
Worried about the effect of violence on your children?
Here are some examples of how children can be affected by domestic violence:
How can I keep my child safe?
It's really important to take action to protect yourself and your children. You may worry that seeking help means your children will be taken into care. This is very rare and only happens in the most serious cases. Talk to your children about how they feel.
Counselling
You may be experiencing violence at home, but want to stay with your partner and try to sort out some of the problems. There are organisations that can offer counselling to you as a couple, and there are also a few that offer counselling to violent partners.
Alcohol and drug abuse can make domestic violence worse. The names of some counselling services that specialise in substance misuse are given in our list of useful addresses below.
Threats of further violence
Victims of domestic violence may be frightened that if they seek help the violence will get worse. The Family Law Act 1996 provides protection for victims of domestic violence and their children. You have the right to be protected and live in a safe environment with your children.
Refuges
If you do decide to leave your partner there are places where you and your children can go in an emergency. Women's Aid offers a safe refuge and ongoing support to families fleeing violence.
If any of this has happened or is happening to you and you need someone to talk to, call our Helpline on: 0808 800 5000. We're open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and calls are free. We offer immediate help and advice to thousands of callers every year.
Useful addresses
NSPCC Helpline
Tel: 0808 800 5000
Email: Helpline@nspcc.org.uk
NSPCC Asian Helpline - Lines are open 11am - 7pm, Monday to Friday.
Bengali 0800 096 7714
Gujurati 0800 096 7715
Hindi 0800 096 7716
Punjabi 0800 096 7717
Urdu 0800 096 7718
Asian/English 0800 096 7719
If you need help outside these hours, please call the 24-hour Helpline on 0808 800 5000 (English service only)
Cymru/Wales Child Protection Helpline
Freephone 0808 100 2524
Email: helplinecymru@nspcc.org.uk in English or Welsh.
Textphone: Freephone 0808 100 1033. This is for people with hearing difficulties.
Fax: 01248 361085
National Domestic Violence Helpline
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
A 24-hour freephone number which provides access to emergency refuge accommodation, as well as an information service. It joins together the Women's Aid Federation helpline and the Refuge National Crisis Line in a single service.
Women's Aid
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
www.womensaid.org.uk
Advocates on behalf of abused women and children and provides services and support including refuge accommodation.
The Hideout
www.thehideout.org.uk
The Hideout is the first national website to support children and young people living with domestic violence, or to those who may want to help a friend. The site informs children and young people about domestic violence and helps them identify whether it is happening in their home.
Refuge
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
www.refuge.org.uk
Refuge is the UK's largest single provider of safe accommodation and support to women and children escaping domestic violence.
Scottish Women's Aid
Contact the head office via email form on the website: the website gives numbers of local groups.
www.scottishwomensaid.co.uk
Information about Scottish local support groups and refuge services.
Welsh Women's Aid / Cymorth I Fenywod
Helpline: 08 08 80 10 800
www.welshwomensaid.org
Information about Welsh local support groups and refuge services.
Northern Ireland Women's Aid Federation
Helpline: 028 9033 1818
www.niwaf.org
Provides refuge and support to women and children suffering harassment in the home.
M.A.L.E (Men's Advice Line Enquiries)
Helpline: 0845 064 6800
A helpline service for men experiencing domestic violence.
Open 10 am - 9 pm on Mondays, 10 am - 5pm from Tuesday to Thursday. A confidential 24 hour answerphone service is available at all other times.
Copyright © 2006 NSPCC - All rights reserved. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Weston House, 42
Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Registered charity number 216401. NSPCC, charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC037717.