For Women
Please look at the safety information, how to cover your tracks online.
I would like some help or information:
There are many people you can contact
Talk to us on the ELWRA Helpline (Mon – Fri 10am -
5pm)
07866 510 728
National Domestic Violence Helpline (24 hour)
0808 2000 247
In an emergency always phone
999
Am I experiencing domestic abuse?
Sometimes it's difficult to know.
• Does your partner threaten you
and your children?
• Are you and your children often frightened by your partner?
• Are you constantly degraded and picked on?
• Are you not allowed to have contact with friends and family?
• Does your partner constantly check where you have been, how much you
spend, who you speak to?
Domestic violence covers a range of behaviours including
physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse, within all types of
relationships. Abuse can be carried out by men against women, women against
men, within same sex relationships and by family members. It can affect anyone
no matter what their social group, age, ability, ethnic origin or sexuality. It
can be from a present or ex-partner.
Domestic violence can have devastating effects on the well-being and
development of children who witness it.
What can I do?
If you are being abused it is useful to talk to someone about what has
happened, even if you do not want to do anything about it. Often it is helpful
to speak to someone and get some support for yourself, call our helpline
on07866 510 728. Getting someone to record the incidents will
help you in the future if you do decide to take action.
Who should I tell?
Remember that telling someone doesn’t mean you have
to do anything. There are places to go where you can just talk in confidence.
It is important to protect yourself by ‘documenting’ your
experience of abuse. Most agency workers will document what has happened if you
request it.
What if I just want to leave?
You can go into a refuge. You can contact our helpline staff will help you on
07866 510 728. Doing this does not mean you have to move out
of your home permanently. We can help people stay in their own home, and remove
the violent person if possible. We can also help you get new accommodation
locally or further away, depending on your needs.
Planning for your future safety
Think about your safety and ways that you can protect
yourself.
• Do you have access to a phone?
• Would a neighbour phone for you?
• Could you ask someone to phone for you if they hear anything?
• Do your children know how to phone 999?
If you are planning to leave
home or have to leave in an emergency, consider gathering together the
following:
1. Important papers, including passports, birth certificates, injunction and/or
legal documents.
2. Benefit books, bank/cheque books and bank statements
3. Essential medication/child health records
4. Spare keys to property, cars etc
5. Address Book, phone numbers of friends, family, emergency services
6. Money for taxis, buses and other essentials
7. Bag of essential clothing, including underwear
8. Toiletries
9. Baby milk/ food other essential baby items
10. Photos / child’s cuddly toy or other sentimental items
It may be possible to leave some of these essential items at a friend or relatives house if you think this would be helpful.
