💜 Victim Rights & Legal Protections
— Sister Laura Prince (pseudonym)
Refuge – National Domestic Abuse Helpline
SafeLives – UK charity working to end domestic abuse, with research and professional training
Karma Nirvana – Support for honour-based abuse and forced marriage
Bright Sky App – Free app providing support and information for anyone in an abusive relationship
🌈 Galop – LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428
🔒 Browsing Safely
If you’re worried about someone checking your internet history:
- Use ‘Private’ or ‘Incognito’ mode in your browser
- Clear your browsing history after visiting this site
- Use a device the abuser doesn’t have access to (library, friend’s phone)
- The Bright Sky app disguises itself as a weather app
- Consider using a safe computer at work, a library, or a friend’s house
Press Ctrl+Shift+N (PC) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac) for private browsing
“I used to think I stayed because I loved him. But I was terrified of what would happen if I didn’t. Every time I tried to leave, he’d cry, promise change, or remind me how much I ‘owed’ him. It felt safer to stay than to face the chaos of leaving. Now I know—that was the trauma bond.”
📊 UK Domestic Abuse Statistics
Women experience domestic abuse in their lifetime
Men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime
Adults experienced domestic abuse in the last year (England & Wales)
Killed by a current or former partner every 3 days in the UK
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2024
❌ Myths vs ✅ Facts About Domestic Abuse
❌ MYTH
“Domestic abuse only happens in certain communities or income levels.”
✅ FACT
Domestic abuse affects people across all backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, religions, and socioeconomic groups.
❌ MYTH
“If it was really that bad, they would just leave.”
✅ FACT
Leaving is the most dangerous time for a victim. Fear, financial control, children, immigration status, and trauma bonds make leaving extremely complex.
❌ MYTH
“Domestic abuse is only physical violence.”
✅ FACT
Abuse includes coercive control, emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, isolation, and psychological manipulation.
❌ MYTH
“Men can’t be victims of domestic abuse.”
✅ FACT
1 in 6-7 men experience domestic abuse. Male victims face unique barriers including stigma and lack of male-specific services.
NAAVoices Domestic Abuse Resource Hub: Complete Library of Safety, Rights & Protection
💜 NAAVoices Domestic Abuse Resource Hub
A complete, trauma‑informed library of NAAVoices‑created domestic abuse resources. Access clear guidance on safety, rights, legal protection, documentation, coercive control, post‑separation abuse and safeguarding responsibilities — all organised into one easy, click‑through hub..
♿ Disability-Specific & Elder Abuse Support
Support for Disabled Victims
Disabled people are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse and face additional barriers to accessing support.
- Staying Safe East – Supporting disabled people experiencing DA
- Action on Hearing Loss – Support for deaf victims
- RNIB – Support for blind/partially sighted victims
- Reasonable Adjustments – Services must provide BSL interpreters, accessible formats, etc.
Elder Abuse Support
Abuse of older people often goes unreported and can be perpetrated by family members, carers, or in care settings.
- Age UK Safer Ageing – Support and advice
- Hourglass – Dedicated elder abuse helpline: 0808 808 8141
- Adult Safeguarding – Contact your local authority if you’re concerned about an older person
- Signs: unexplained injuries, withdrawal, fear, sudden financial changes, neglect
💷 Financial Abuse Support
Financial abuse is control over your ability to acquire, use, and maintain financial resources. You deserve financial independence.
🏦 Surviving Economic Abuse
Specialist charity providing advice on financial abuse, debt, and economic independence
Visit SEA →💳 Banking Protocol
Protection from being coerced into withdrawing money or taking out loans
Learn more →📋 Benefits Advice
Universal Credit, housing benefit, and financial support information
Citizens Advice →Signs of Financial Abuse:
- Taking your money or controlling all finances
- Preventing you from working or sabotaging your job
- Running up debts in your name
- Refusing to give you money for essentials
- Making you account for every penny spent
- Taking out loans or credit cards without your knowledge
💼 Workplace Support & Employer Duties
Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, employers have a duty to support employees experiencing domestic abuse.
Your Rights at Work
- Time off for medical appointments, court, housing
- Flexible working arrangements
- Changes to contact details/security measures
- Protection from discrimination
- Confidentiality (unless risk to others)
How Employers Can Help
- Domestic Abuse Workplace Policy
- Trained HR/managers
- Employee Assistance Programmes
- Safety planning at work
- Paid/unpaid leave options
Resources for Employers
🧠 Therapy & Counselling Resources
🌱 Trauma-Informed Therapy
Specialist counselling for survivors of domestic abuse and trauma.
- BACP – Find a Therapist
- UKCP – Trauma Specialists
- NHS Talking Therapies (via GP)
👥 Support Groups
Connect with others who understand your experience.
- Women’s Aid Local Services
- Freedom Programme Groups
- Local refuge support groups
🌍 Online Therapy
Accessible counselling from the safety of your home.
- BetterHelp UK
- Counselling Directory
- Some refuges offer free counselling
💜 Self-Care for Survivors
Healing is not linear. Be patient with yourself.
- Physical: Gentle exercise, adequate sleep, nutritious food when possible
- Emotional: Journaling, creative expression, connecting with trusted people
- Mental: Grounding techniques, mindfulness, limiting triggers when safe to do so
- Practical: Small achievable goals, celebrating small victories, asking for help
⚖️ Court Support Services
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs)
Specialist caseworkers who support high-risk victims through the criminal justice system.
- Risk assessments and safety planning
- Support through police investigations
- Court accompaniment
- Liaison with other agencies
- Access via police, MARACs, or local DA services
Special Measures in Court
As a victim of domestic abuse, you’re entitled to support when giving evidence:
- Screens – So you don’t see the defendant
- Video link – Give evidence remotely
- Evidence in private – Public excluded from court
- Removal of wigs/gowns – Less formal atmosphere
- Intermediary – Someone to help you understand questions
Additional Court Support
- Citizens Advice – Court process guidance
- Victim Support – Free, independent support through the criminal justice system
- Witness Service – Available at every criminal court to support witnesses
- Rights of Women – Free legal advice: 020 7251 6577
🏠 Housing Rights & Immigration Support
Emergency Housing
- Local Authority Housing – You may be eligible for emergency accommodation as a victim of domestic abuse
- Refuge Spaces – Confidential safe accommodation via National DA Helpline (0808 2000 247)
- Housing Rights – You cannot be evicted without a court order, even if your name isn’t on the tenancy
- Shelter Domestic Abuse Housing Advice
- Priority Need – As a DA victim, you should be assessed as having priority housing need
Immigration Support
- Destitution Domestic Violence Concession (DDVC) – If your visa depends on your partner
- No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) – You may still access some support through local authorities
- Southall Black Sisters – Specialist immigration & DA support
- Law Centres Network – Free legal advice
- Ashiana Network – Support for BME women with insecure immigration status
Professor Evan Stark compares coercive control to being taken hostage
💜 PEGS: Support for Parents Experiencing Child-to-Parent Abuse
Child-to-Parent Abuse (CPA) is a hidden and often misunderstood form of domestic abuse. PEGS (Parental Education Growth Support) provides specialist national support for parents, carers and guardians experiencing abuse from their children.
Their work includes one-to-one guidance, peer support, wellbeing sessions and professional training to help families feel seen, heard and supported.
Survivor Safety Framework: Plan • Document • Exit • Stabilise
The Freedom Programme — Life-Changing Support for Survivors
The Freedom Programme helps victims, before or after leaving, to understand abuse and rebuild strength. It’s available in-person and online across the UK.
Police Misconduct Guide & Victims’ Rights (Police • CPS • Courts)
🛡️ Protecting Vulnerable Victims
Under this legal framework, police and justice agencies must take reports seriously, assess risk, provide protection measures, and communicate in ways that meet individual needs.
⚖️ Police and Criminal Justice Duties
The police and criminal justice system must follow key legislation, including the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, the Care Act 2014, the Equality Act 2010, and the Victims’ Code.
🏥 Professional Referral Pathways
For GPs, Teachers, Social Workers, and Other Professionals
Immediate Safety Concerns
- 999 – If immediate danger
- MARAC referral – Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference for high-risk cases
- Emergency safeguarding – Contact local authority children’s/adult services
Standard Referrals
- Local DA services – IDVAs, refuges, outreach
- GP referral – Mental health, counselling
- Housing assessment – Local authority housing options
- Benefits advisor – Citizens Advice, specialist DA services
Specialist Referrals
- Immigration – Southall Black Sisters, Ashiana Network
- Honour-based abuse – Karma Nirvana
- Elder abuse – Hourglass, local safeguarding
- LGBT+ – Galop, LGBT Foundation
- Disability – Staying Safe, local DA services
Key Professional Duties:
- Routine enquiry in healthcare settings (ask about safety)
- Safeguarding reporting (children and vulnerable adults)
- Risk assessment (DASH RIC or equivalent)
- Safety planning with victim
- Documentation (injuries, disclosures, concerns)
- Information sharing (appropriate multi-agency working)
📚 Key Legal Resources & Guidance
Helplines
Refuge – National Domestic Abuse Helpline
SafeLives – UK charity working to end domestic abuse, with research and professional training
Karma Nirvana – Support for honour-based abuse and forced marriage
Bright Sky App – Free app providing support and information for anyone in an abusive relationship
🌈 Galop – LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428
Ways to Report Domestic Abuse
🚨 999 – Emergency → Call immediately if in danger. Use Silent Solution (press 55) if you cannot speak.)
👩⚕️ Health & Education → Speak to your GP, nurse, midwife, teacher, or safeguarding lead.
🚔 101 – Police (Non‑Emergency) → Report abuse that isn’t urgent.
🕵️ Anonymous Reporting → Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
📞 Refuge – National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
🕌 Karma Nirvana → for honour‑based abuse and forced marriage. Call 0800 5999 247
👶 NSPCC → . Call 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
📱 Digital Tools → Bright Sky App | Online police reporting forms.
🧒 Childline → Call 0800 1111.
🌈 Galop → for LGBT+ survivors Call 0800 999 5428.
🏢 Local Authority & Social Services → Report concerns about children or vulnerable adults.
💜 A Message of Hope from the Founder
A year ago, a wonderful friend and colleague told me I was a phoenix. They were one of the very few who truly understood what I was living through. At that time, I was crumbling. I was damaged beyond anything I could have imagined, moving through each day one step at a time. I wasn’t living or surviving; I was simply existing.
Twelve months on, I have risen. My journey isn’t finished, and the post‑separation abuse hasn’t magically stopped. But now I’m informed, and with that knowledge I can face whatever comes next. When someone has taken everything from you — every part of who you were — and you’ve had to rebuild from nothing, you stop fearing anything.
I have never regretted leaving. Not for a single second. My children are safe. I still carry the impact of what happened, but I am free to live, to heal, and to rebuild. Healing takes time; it comes in waves, and it changes you. I am not who I was, and maybe I never will be — but I am stronger now, louder now, and my voice is mine again.
I know too much to ever let anyone take any more of me.
Books & Further Reading
