Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse will affect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime.

(Source: Refuge)

Many vulnerable people are in abusive relationships, living with their abusers with nowhere else to go. Anyone can become a victim of domestic abuse. Often the children who are living in households are the unseen victims, who carry this trauma throughout their lives.

Child on sofa

Victim Support estimate that a typical victim endures up to 35 assaults before speaking up, and in some cases, it can result in death.

We want to encourage you to learn the signs to spot, so that if you do see or hear something, you can speak up and tell us what you know. 100% anonymously - guaranteed.

In an emergency, always call 999.

Tell us what you know. Call 0800 555 111 or fill in our online form:

Give information anonymously

As a bystander, family member, colleague or friend you may feel helpless when you know someone is a victim of domestic abuse. Whilst ultimately the victim will need to make the decision to leave the relationship themselves, we encourage you to report your suspicions.

We will then pass on information to the relevant police force who, with partners, may be able to intervene away from the abuser to check the potential victim is OK.

if you are a victim of domestic abuse and want to know what help & support is available, both locally and nationally:

Find out more

Domestic abuse and sexual harassment are often linked:

Find out more about sexual harassment and what you can do about it

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is behaviour from a family member, partner or ex-partner that is controlling, coercive, threatening, violent or abusive, and happens between people aged over 16.

Domestic abuse can happen to men or women. It includes the following types of abuse:

Psychological
Physical
Sexual
Financial or economic; find out more about this here
Emotional

There are many reasons victims of domestic abuse may not report abuse from partners themselves; learn more about these reasons here.

How do you know if someone is a victim of domestic abuse?

Their partner puts them down in front of other people
They are constantly worried about making their partner angry
They make excuses for their partner’s behavior
Their partner is extremely jealous or possessive
They have unexplained marks or injuries
They’ve stopped spending time with friends and family
They are depressed or anxious, or you notice changes in their personality

Threatening and intimidating arguments, which may involve violent language or escalate to smashing up the furniture
Arguments where the partner blames the other for their actions, saying they are “asking for it” or deserve the abuse
Individuals with bruising or other visible marks, which may have been caused by physical abuse

If you witnessed, or have information in relation to, domestic abuse, speak up and tell us what you know. You will remain 100% anonymous - we won’t even know who you are.

Did you see something, but didn’t say anything? You have a second chance to act and stand up for victims of domestic abuse. Your information really can make a difference:

Abuser caught after years on run: a persistent offender who was a danger to women had been on the run for many years. He continued to offend whilst evading justice. Thanks to Crimestoppers information, he was picked up by police and finally faced the consequences of his actions.

Give information anonymously

Perpetrators of abuse

Adults, no matter what their gender or sexual orientation, can also be perpetrators of abuse. It is estimated 1 in 4 perpetrators will reoffend.

If you think your behaviour is crossing the line into abuse, call the Respect Phoneline on 0808 802 4040 to get the help you need.

Are you a victim of domestic abuse?

Due to our anonymity guarantee, we can't take information from victims of crime. In an emergency, always call 999.

If it’s not an emergency and you don’t want to call the police, contact the 24hr freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 - available 7 days a week. The helpline is run by Refuge, a UK charity providing specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Live chat is available Monday-Friday 3-10pm via www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.

Men's advice line run by Respect - 0808 801 0327 - is a confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic abuse from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members).

Further national help and support

Employers - you have the power to help protect your employees

Employers have a duty to safeguard the wellbeing of staff: the statutory guidance accompanying the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 makes clear that employers should consider the impact of domestic abuse on their employees as part of their duty of care.

However, research by the Vodafone Foundation found that only 5% of employers had introduced a specific policy or guideline on the issue.

We know that when employers take action to respond to domestic abuse, it saves lives.

The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) is a free-to-join members' network of employers, supporting over 1,500 large and small businesses across the UK to take effective action on domestic abuse. EIDA raises awareness of domestic abuse; supports employers with resources and guidance to take effective action; brings employers together to inspire and learn from each other; and works with government, domestic abuse expert service providers, and academics to provide the latest guidance and to champion change.

Employers have a duty of care to safeguard their employees impacted by domestic abuse. The workplace may be a person’s only safe space.

Join EIDA’s network of employers here, to change and save the lives of people in your workplace affected by domestic abuse.

Nothing to report?

Visit Woman's Aid or Refuge to learn more practical ways you can help someone you may be worried about.
You can also volunteer with Crimestoppers to raise awareness of our unique crime reporting service in your community.

7 March 2025