We remind people there are signs to spot domestic abuse

In a new campaign, we are reminding people there are signs to spot that domestic abuse could be happening to someone close to you. 

In 2023, our charity received over 4,000 reports on domestic abuse offences. We are appealing for anyone who is aware of it happening to contact us 100% anonymously, as it can save lives.

 
 Give information 100% anonymously
 

Anyone can become a victim of domestic abuse, with 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experiencing it in their lifetime. And in too many cases, it results in death, with 2 women murdered by a current or former partner each week across the UK.

Often, children living in households are the unseen victims who carry this trauma throughout their lives. 
 
Information can be given 100% anonymously to our charity in over 150 different languages, 365 days of the year, 24/7, by calling our UK-based Contact Centre on 0800 555 111, or by completing a safe and secure online form. In an emergency, always call 999.
 
Domestic abuse can be physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, or financial. And any adult can be a perpetrator.

 
How do you know if someone is a victim of domestic abuse? Some of the signs can include:

• 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 behaviour
• 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

You may be a neighbour who may have seen or heard:

• 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

A team of professionals working at our charity’s national Contact Centre anonymise all information received – to ensure the person giving the details can never be identified - before passing it on to police to investigate. Whether it is a neighbour, friend, work colleague, or relative, no one will ever know who provided the information.

“We hear distressing stories every day from people who contact our charity anonymously when they think domestic abuse is happening. 
 
“We know that sadly, victims may feel embarrassed, too scared and traumatised to seek help, and it typically could take 35 assaults before they have the strength to speak up. This may be for many different reasons; fear of losing their children; fear of losing their home; fear of not being believed; even thoughts that they are somehow to blame.
 
“Information, given to Crimestoppers helps law enforcement stop abuse and violence in the home. It is by working together, knowing the signs to spot and reporting what we know that we can help put a stop to domestic abuse, which can save lives.”

Annabelle Goodenough, Crimestoppers Domestic Abuse Crime Type Specialist

Please note: Computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted our charity. For telephone calls, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and calls have never been traced.

 Find out more about domestic abuse and support available. 
 

22 January 2025