Domestic violence and forced marriage helplines
Use our helplines to find more information and advice for victims of domestic violence and forced marriage
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.
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24hr Domestic Violence Helpline (run in partnership between Refuge and Women's Aid)
Freephone: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)
nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk
The Helpline can give support, help and information over the telephone, wherever the caller might be in the country. The Helpline is staffed 24 hours a day by fully trained female helpline support workers and volunteers. All calls are completely confidential. Translation facilities for callers whose first language is not English, and a service for callers who are deaf or hard of hearing are available.
Refuge
Thirty-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 England
Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)
For women who are experiencing or have experienced physical, mental, sexual or domestic violence or abuse. Offers advice, support and crisis intervention to abused women.
Refuge
Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)
Thirty-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.
FCO Forced Marriage Unit
Helpline: 020 7008 0151 (or 0044 20 7008 0151 if you are overseas)
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.
Southall Black Sisters
Helpline: 0208 571 0800
If 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.
Honour Network - Karma Nirvana
Helpline: 0800 599 9247
Karma 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 your 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 Organisation
Helpline: Mon to Fri 9.30-5.30 0207 920 6460
Emergency numbers 24 hrs
Kurdish / Arabic 07846 275246
Farsi / Dari / Turkish 07846 310157
The 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
We 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
Ashiana 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 0859
Hemat 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
Shakti 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 Charity
24/7 Helpline: 0845 607 0133
We have the first 24 hour seven days a week Helpline in the country. The Help-line 0845 607 0133 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.
Against Forced Marriages (part of the Jan Trust)
FREE HELPLINE: 0800 141 2994
Our aim is to support minority ethnic women on the issue of forced marriage. Whether you are in a forced marriage, you are worried that you or a friend might be at risk, or whether you just want to find out more about this issue; you will find all the information you need on this website. JAN Trust is an award-winning London-based registered charity which caters for disadvantaged and marginalised women from minority and hard-to-reach groups. We are involved in a number of issues, and preventing forced marriages is one of our priorities.
Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline (WDAH)
Helpline: 0808 80 10 800
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
Victim Support Helpline
Helpline:0845 30 30 900
Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 7pm
Broken Rainbow
Helpline: 0300 999 5428
Support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experiencing domestic violence