If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or violence, it’s crucial to understand that help is available.
You don’t have to face this challenging situation alone. Reach out to a local domestic violence shelter, a trusted friend or family member, or a professional counsellor for support and guidance. There are numerous organisations and hotlines dedicated to providing assistance, resources, and a safe space for individuals affected by domestic abuse.
Your safety and well-being are paramount, and there are people ready to offer the help you need to break free from an abusive situation and begin the journey toward healing and recovery.
You are not alone, and there is hope for a brighter future.
What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse and violence are distressing and harmful behaviours that occur within intimate relationships, affecting individuals in their own homes. Domestic abuse encompasses a wide range of actions aimed at establishing control and power over a partner or family member. This can take the form of physical violence, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual coercion, financial manipulation, and even isolation from support networks.
Victims of domestic abuse often endure physical and emotional suffering, as well as long-lasting trauma. It is essential to recognise that domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic background, and that it is never acceptable. Understanding the dynamics of domestic abuse is the first step toward addressing this pressing social issue and providing support to those affected by it.
Controlling behaviour: “a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.
Coercive behaviour: a continuing act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.”
Get Help:
- Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA)
AAFDA are a national charity providing help to families and professionals: some of the work they do includes: emotional, practical and specialist peer support to those left behind after domestic homicide. We are there to listen. When the time is right.
Email- [email protected]
Call – 07887 488 464
- CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse)
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs.
- Changing Pathways
For help contact the helpline on 0330 333 7 444 between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. For 24 hour help, call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. For all office enquiries call 01268 729707.
Changing Pathways is a local domestic abuse charity working in South and South West Essex.
- COMPASS
A partnership of domestic abuse services providing a response in Essex.
Essex Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0330 333 7 444
Helpline available from 8 am to 8 pm weekdays and 8 am to 1 pm weekends.
- Domestic Violence and Abuse in Later Life – Power & Control Wheel (Dewis Choice)
Domestic abuse later in life – Power and control wheel Dewis Choice have adapted the Duluth Wheel to illustrate older peoples experiences of domestic violence and abuse from intimate partners and adult family members.
- Essex Police
Essex Police – How to report abuse
FLOWS – (Finding legal options for women survivors)
FLOWS is a legal support service designed to help protect women against domestic abuse. FLOWS is a team or experts from the Family Team of the Royal Courts of Justice, working in partnership with Rights of Women.
- Karma Nirvana
Karma Nirvana support victims of forced marriage and honour based abuse. Are you being pressured to get married against your will? Do you fear bringing shame or dishonour to your family? Have you been emotionally or physically abused?
- Loving Me – Domestic Abuse Service
Loving me is a service which provides one to one support and advocacy for Trans and Non Binary victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence who are aged 18 and over and live in England.
- ManKind Initiative
Helping men escape domestic abuse.
HELPLINE 01823 334 244
- Men’s Advice Line
The Men’s advice line is run by the charity Respect to support men who are victims of domestic abuse.
- National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
0800 999 5428
Our helpline is for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse or violence, such as hate crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence, so-called “conversion therapy” or any other kind of abuse.
Samaritans (24/7 service) – 116 123
- Next Chapter
Call us for help: 0330 333 7 444 or 01206 500585
Providing free and confidential services to support women who are currently experiencing, or have previously experienced domestic abuse.
- Refuge
Refuge is a domestic violence charity offering help, advice and support to anyone experiencing domestic abuse. You can chat to someone on their free phone number 24 hours a day: 0808 2000 247
- Safe Steps
Safe steps is a Southend based charity that aims to support people affected by domestic abuse. Working with women, men, children and their families to protect them from further risk of harm and abuse.
- Safer Places
Supporting those who use/need services in their journey from risk and crisis to recovery and resilience. Promoting recognition of domestic abuse and its impact for individual, families and communities.
- SETDAB – Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board
The Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB) is made up of representatives from agencies and organisations working to join up and better facilitate Southend, Essex and Thurrock’s vision to work together to enable everyone to live a life free from all forms of domestic abuse.
- South Essex Domestic Abuse Hub
The South Essex Domestic Abuse Hub is a place where you can come for help, advice and assistance. The hub includes a range of support services that you can access. The hub has drop in centres in Basildon, Brentwood, Castle point, Rochford and Thurrock.
- Southend on Sea Rape Crisis
Anyone aged 16+ can contact our 24/7 Support Line by calling 0808 500 2222 or starting an online chat.
Southend on Sea Rape Crisis provides free, confidential specialist support for all survivors who have been raped or experienced any other form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.
- The Men’s Advice Line
Here to support men experiencing domestic abuse. If you want to talk to someone, you can speak to our friendly and professional advisors on the phone, by email or on webchat. No pressure, no judgement, just help., for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
- Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. As a federation we provide life-saving services across England while building a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
