Domestic abuse advice and information
Domestic abuse is a crime. Always call 999 in an emergency. If you are unable to talk, stay on the line and press 55 when prompted. Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 for help and support.
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Domestic abuse is not just physical violence. It is any type of abuse from someone you have (or have had) a relationship with, including: financial, emotional, sexual or psychological abuse.
Abusive behaviour includes acting in a controlling, coercive or threatening manner. Typical actions might include demanding you keep the house in a specific way, taking your money, stopping you seeing your friends and family, or threatening your children or pets.
Domestic abuse can affect anyone.
- Read the Home Office's guidance on domestic violence and abuse
- Read Disrespect Nobody’s guidance on spotting the signs of relationship abuse
- Read Refuge’s advice about planning to leave home
- Read the Council's policy for supporting residents experiencing domestic abuse [PDF, 0.2MB]
Helplines and Support
You can contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 if you’re experiencing domestic abuse. You can talk confidentially to someone about your situation and find out what your options are.
Cambridge Women’s Aid provides an outreach service for women living in any kind of tenure, who are experiencing domestic abuse in Cambridge City or South Cambridgeshire. Telephone 01223 361 214 (Emergency out of hours 07730 322 098).
If you are a man experiencing domestic abuse you can contact the Men’s Advice Line on 08088 010 327
If you are in a same-sex relationship you can call the National LGBT+ Domestic Violence Helpline on 0800 999 5428
Call the police on 101 (if it is not an emergency) or 999 in an emergency, if your personal safety is threatened.
If you are concerned because you think you might be hurting someone or demonstrating abusive behaviour, help and advice is available by contacting 0808 802 4040 or visiting the Respect website.
More contacts are listed below.
Housing Advice Service
Our Housing Advice Service can help if you are living with domestic abuse.
We can help you prepare to leave and find a refuge, or we can help you secure your home, so you can stay there safely.
We can advise on tenancy issues – including occupation orders, joint tenancies and homelessness – and can put you in touch with other organisations (some of which are listed below) that provide support and legal advice.
Safe Spaces
Pharmacies, including Boots and Superdrug, are offering their consulting rooms as Safe Spaces near you for victims of domestic violence. Walk into any of the pharmacies taking part and ask to use their Safe Space. The room will contain all of the information you need, and provide a sanctuary to make relevant calls.
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Please note that this will not clear your browsing history. There are a number of things you can do to hide your internet use – read Women’s Aid’s advice on how to cover your tracks online.
Other useful information
The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) Partnership maintains a domestic violence directory. It contains contact details of organisations that can help you or someone you know who is being affected by domestic violence.
The following websites also provide information, advice and support to people affected by domestic violence. Most have a telephone helpline.
- Action on Elder Abuse
- Age UK Advice Line
- The Bobby Scheme (for home security)
- Cambridgeshire Constabulary
- Cambridge Rape Crisis
- Cambridge Women’s Aid
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) Partnership
- Childline
- Domestic Abuse National Helpline
- The Elms Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
- Family lives - Teen violence at home
- Female genital mutilation (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Children Partnership Board)
- Galop (for LGBT+ people)
- Independent Domestic Violence Advisory (IDVA) Service
- Jewish Women’s Aid
- Karma Nirvana (for victims of honour crimes and forced marriages)
- Men’s Advice Line
- Muslim Women’s Network UK
- National Stalking Helpline
- One Voice for Travellers – help and information for survivors of violence within the travelling community
- Respect
- Sikh Helpline
- Trafficking
- Victim Services – victim and witness hub with support directory
Legal advice is available from several sources, including: