Brothers Luke and Ryan Hart are raising awareness of domestic abuse after their father killed their mother and sister
In July 2016, Luke and Ryan Hart's mother and sister were murdered by their father just days after the women escaped the family home. The brothers, who have set up the Coco Awareness charity to raise awareness of domestic abuse, bravely share their story with Lorraine...
Access our helplines below for advice and support for victims of domestic abuse
Domestic violence is a crime. If you are in immediate danger always call the police, and always dial 999 if it is an emergency. They have a duty to protect and help you.If you visit any of these websites, please read the ‘hide your visit’ / ‘cover your tracks’ / safety information – or click on ‘Exit Website’.
24hr Domestic Violence Helpline (run in partnership between Refuge and Women's Aid)Freephone: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)
Gov UK – Controlling or Coercive Behaviourhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/482528/Controlling_or_coercive_behaviour_-_statutory_guidance.pdfThe offence closes a gap in the law around patterns of controlling or coercive behaviour thatoccurs during a relationship between intimate partners, former partners who still livetogether or family members. This offence sends a clear message that this form of domesticabuse can constitute a serious offence particularly in light of the violation of trust itrepresents and will provide better protection to victims experiencing repeated or continuousabuse. It sets out the importance of recognising the harm caused by coercion or control, thecumulative impact on the victim and that a repeated pattern of abuse can be more injuriousand harmful than a single incident of violence.
Martin Lewis: Financial abuse, joint accounts and managing money within relationshipsFinancial abuse is the hidden financial cousin of domestic abuse – it's all about dangerous, unfair control using finances. It can be subtle or brutal. So be aware of it both for your own relationship, and for others – but this blog's about more than that too...
RefugeHelpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)www.refuge.org.ukhttps://www.refuge.org.uk/our-work/forms-of-violence-and-abuse/domestic-violence/recognising-abuse/ - Recognising AbuseThirty-five years ago Refuge set up the world's first refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence. Since then, Refuge has grown to become the largest provider of emergency accommodation and emotional and practical support to women and children in the country and the leading voice in the campaign to end domestic violence.
Women's Aid Federation of EnglandHelpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)www.womensaid.org.ukhttps://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/ - What is Domestic Abusehttps://www.womensaid.org.uk/research-and-publications/dame-project/ - DAME ProjectFor women who are experiencing or have experienced physical, mental, sexual or domestic violence or abuse. Offers advice, support and crisis intervention to abused women.
The Hideouthttp://www.thehideout.org.uk/ Website for children and young people witnessing domestic violence.
CRUSHTel: 0800 014 9084http://www.westmerciawomensaid.org/crushCRUSH is a structured programme of group support and empowerment for young people in the age range of 13 - 19 who have witnessed, experienced or are at risk of domestic abuse. CRUSH aims to help you gain the skills, knowledge and tools to be able to avoid abusive relationships, exit an abusive relationship safely and help you with your exposure to domestic abuse within your home environment. The CRUSH Programme is suitable for young people of both sexes and can be helpful to those who are vulnerable to domestic abuse and also for those who are beginning to show signs of controlling behaviour. We are also able to deliver the sessions to groups of peers, for those of you who feel more comfortable with people that you know. The programme has been designed to complement the information on relationships given in PHSE lessons.
Love Don’t Feel Badwww.lovedontfeelbad.co.ukAimed at 16-25 year olds, Love Don’t Feel Bad explores what is and isn’t a healthy relationship – from physical violence to coercive control, how to get help and what the law can do for you.
Scottish Women’s AidOffice: 0800 027 1234scottishwomensaid.org.ukScottish Women's Aid is the lead organisation in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse. We play a vital role campaigning and lobbying for effective responses to domestic abuse. An important aspect of our work is ensuring that women and children who have experienced domestic abuse get the services they need, both from local Women’s Aid groups and from the agencies they are likely to contact. Our members are local Women’s Aid groups which provide specialist services to women, children and young people. These include safe refuge accommodation, information and support. For queries relating to our policy or campaign work please contact us, for support if you are experiencing abuse please contact Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline.
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage HelplineHelpline number: 0800 027 1234www.sdafmh.org.ukScotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We support anyone in Scotland who has experienced, or is at risk of experiencing domestic abuse or forced marriage, as well as those concerned about someone they know experiencing these. We can discuss your options and provide contact details to relevant support agencies. We will help you regardless of age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, nationality or background. If English is not your first language, we can speak to you through a confidential translation service.
Live Fear Free – All Wales Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence HelplineLive Fear Free Helpline: 0808 8010 800Text service: 078600 77333http://livefearfree.gov.wales/domestic-abuse-and-sexual-violence/types-of-domestic-abuse/?lang=en - Types of Domestic AbuseWebsite: http://livefearfree.gov.wales/?skip=1&lang=en The helpline provides a bilingual free and confidential information and support service for women, children and men in Wales who are experiencing or who have experienced abuse at the hands of someone close to them.
Northern Ireland Women’s Aid Federation25hr Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline: 0808 802 1414www.niwaf.orgWomen’s Aid provides a wide range of services to women and children affected by domestic violence throughout Northern Ireland. We offer a safe place to stay in refuges or outreach support for those remaining at home. Children’s physical and emotional needs are met through many types of support.
Victim Support HelplineHelpline: 0808 168 9111www.victimsupport.org.ukhttp://www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-for-victims/different-types-of-crime/domestic-abuse - Domestic AbuseWe don’t just help people who’ve recently experienced domestic abuse – we’re here to support both men and women, weeks, months and years afterwards. All of our services are confidential, free and available to anyone who's experienced domestic violence.
National LGBT Domestic Abuse HelplineHelpline: 0800 999 5428http://www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/Emotional and practical support for LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse. Abuse isn’t always physical- it can be psychological, emotional, financial and sexual too. Speak out, don’t suffer in silence.
Southall Black SistersHelpline: 0208 571 0800www.southallblacksisters.org.ukIf you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, Southall Black Sisters can help with practical help and advice. Our holistic service aims to help women and children escape violence and abuse (including forced marriage and honour crimes) and deal with a range of inter related problems. Southall Black Sisters is a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1979 to meet the needs of black (Asian and African-Caribbean) and minority ethnic women. For more than three decades we have been at the forefront of challenging domestic and gender violence locally and nationally.
FCO Forced Marriage UnitHelpline: 020 7008 0151 (or 0044 20 7008 0151 if you are overseas)http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/when-things-go-wrong/forced-marriage/Our Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) is dedicated both to preventing British nationals being forced into marriage overseas and to assisting anyone in the UK faced with the prospect of being forced into a marriage. If you are worried that you might be forced into a marriage or are worried about someone else who may be you should contact us.
Sharan Project (South Asian Women Help & Support)Information Line: 0844 504 3231www.sharan.org.ukThere are many reasons which lead ethnic minority women, particularly of South Asian origin, to leave home forcefully or voluntarily. Issues such as cultural conflict, family breakdown, disownment, forced marriage and or intercourse, domestic and or honour- based violence (real and perceived), as well as many factors can lead women to seek information and practical assistance. The SHARAN Project is designed to empower, educate and inspire women who want to actively learn more about the support and choices that are available to them, to provide them with the tools to lead life on their own terms.
Honour Network - Karma NirvanaHelpline: 0800 599 9247www.karmanirvana.org.ukKarma Nirvana is a registered Charity that supports victims and survivors of forced marriage and honour based abuse. We are your listening ear in confidence and many of us have the experience of forced marriage and issues related to honour based abuse. We are here for you when you’re at home or when you leave and will talk over the phone wherever you are. One of our key principles is that we never talk to or engage with your family. Our commitment and loyalty is to you and as we understand the fears when family members become involved.
Iranian & Kurdish Women’s Rights OrganisationHelpline: Mon to Fri 9.30-5.30 0207 920 6460Emergency numbers 24 hrsKurdish / Arabic 07846 275246Farsi / Dari / Turkish 07846 310157www.ikwro.org.ukThe Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation provides advice and support to Middle Eastern women and girls living in the UK who are facing ‘honour’ based violence, domestic abuse, forced marriage or female genital mutilation.
Ashiana Project (London)Helpline: 020 8539 0427 www.ashiana.org.ukWe believe everyone has the right to live a life free of oppression, fear and violence. We are a charitable organisation based in London, to help women from the Asian, Turkish & Iranian community get help when they need it. We are here to offer our help support and guidance to Women in need. We offer confidential and culturally specific advice, support and information to our clients. Our aim is to empower the women and young people who use our services so that they are able to make informed choices and decisions about their future.
Ashiana (Sheffield)Helpline: 0114 255 5740 www.ashianasheffield.orgAshiana Sheffield has been in existence as an organisation since 1981 and currently provides refuge accommodation and floating/outreach support services to Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) women, children and young people who are survivors of partner and family abuse, including forced marriages and honour-based violence, or who have been trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and/or domestic servitude. We offer confidential and culturally specific advice, support and information to our clients.
Hemat Gryffe Women's Aid (Glasgow) Helpline: 0141 353 0859www.hematgryffe.org.ukHemat Gryffe Women’s Aid are women from various backgrounds who are concerned about violence against women, children and young people. We have multi-lingual employees and volunteers. We provide culturally sensitive counselling and recognise that women, children and young people from the black and minority ethnic community experiencing domestic abuse may be reluctant to seek help from mainstream services such as Hemat Gryffe Womens Aid or social services due to cultural beliefs.
Shakti Women's Aid (Edinburgh)Helpline: 0131 475 2399 www.shaktiedinburgh.co.ukShakti Women’s Aid is an organisation based in Edinburgh, working since 1986 to offer support, advocacy and information to all black / minority ethnic women, children and young people experiencing and/or fleeing domestic abuse from partners / husbands, ex-partners and other family members. If you think you or someone you know might be suffering from domestic abuse, you can contact us for help.
Freedom Charity24/7 Helpline: 0845 607 0133 www.freedomcharity.org.ukWe aim to empower young people to feel they have the tools and confidence to support each other and have practical ways in which they can help their best friend around the issues of family relationships which can lead to early and forced marriage and dishonour based violence. The Help-line and Textline (text ‘4freedom’ to 88802) are manned by trained professionals to help victims of forced marriage and their friends who are seeking help, support and advice.