Support for victims of domestic abuse

Everyone has the right to live free from abuse. Contact details for organisations who offer help and support for victims of domestic abuse.

Help for victims

You are not to blame and you are not alone. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, there is support available:

• Lighthouse Victim Care – Our Lighthouse Safeguarding Unit (LSU) are a dedicated police department for victim and witness care and safeguarding. If you have been a victim of crime, a LSU Victim Witness Care Officer will take the time to discuss your needs and refer you to specialist support if required. Find out more on the Lighthouse Victim Care website.
• This Is Not An Excuse – This website provides details of organisations in your area who offer support and advice for those affected by domestic violence. Visit the This Is Not An Excuse website for more details.
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline – Call the free, 24 hour National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit the National Domestic Abuse Helpline website.

Animal cruelty and domestic abuse

Unfortunately, the following organisations do not offer foster homes for those victims living within the Avon and Somerset force area, but can offer support and signposting for cases of domestic abuse which involve animal cruelty.

• Cats Protection Lifeline – call the helpline on 03000 121212, email lifeline@cats.org.uk or visit the Cats Protection Lifeline website.
• Freedom Project at Dogs Trust – call the helpline on 0800 298 9199, email freedomproject@dogstrust.org.uk, or visit the Freedom Project at Dogs Trust website.
• Refuge4pets – for dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles and small animals. Call the helpline on 0300 4000 121, email info@refuge4pets.org.uk, or visit the Refuge4pets website.

Advice for education providers

If you are an education professional and are concerned about a child, support is available:

• Operation Encompass – Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership, enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse. The aim of the partnership is to ensure schools have timely information about all police-attended incidents of domestic abuse and educators can support children as soon as possible.
  
  If you need help caring for a child in your school, visit the Operation Encompass website, or call the Operation Encompass Professionals’ National Advice and Guidance line on 0204 5139990, Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 13:00.

Help for abusers

If you have concerns about someone else’s behaviour, support is available:

• Respect.uk.net is a domestic abuse organisation which works with male and female perpetrators of domestic violence. The helpline also takes calls from partners, ex-partners, friends and relatives who are concerned someone they know may be violent.

Report domestic abuse

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, or know someone who is, report it to us. Find out how to report domestic abuse.