Helplines & Ways to Report
Full helplines directory, how to call 999 safely, anonymous reporting, Silent Solution, specialist routes for LGBTQIA+, honour-based abuse, elder, disabled and male victims — plus housing rights and immigration support, with Wales-specific services.
If you are in immediate danger — call 999
If you cannot speak, call 999 and press 55. This is the Silent Solution — the operator will know you need help and will send police. You can also cough, tap, or press buttons to indicate your situation.
If you are in Wales
Domestic abuse services and housing law in Wales operate separately from England. If you are in Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire or anywhere else in Wales, start here.
Live Fear Free Helpline
0808 80 10 800The national helpline for Wales. Free, 24/7, in Welsh or English. Domestic abuse, sexual violence and violence against women. Text 07860 077333.
Welsh Women’s Aid
Runs the Live Fear Free Helpline and coordinates specialist services across Wales. Use their directory to find your local service.
Shelter Cymru
08000 495 495
Free, independent housing advice for Wales. Housing law in Wales differs from England — use Shelter Cymru, not Shelter England.
Helplines directory
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
0808 2000 247
Run by Refuge. Free, 24/7, confidential. Covers England.
Victim Support
0808 168 9111
Free, 24/7. Independent support through the criminal justice system.
Karma Nirvana
0800 5999 247
The national Honour Based Abuse Helpline. Also covers forced marriage.
Galop — LGBT+ Abuse & Violence Helpline
0800 999 5428
National helpline for LGBTQIA+ victims and survivors. Domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, conversion practices, honour-based abuse.
SafeLives
UK charity working to end domestic abuse. Research, professional training, and survivor involvement.
Hourglass — Elder Abuse
0808 808 8141
Dedicated helpline for older people experiencing abuse.
Bright Sky App
Free app and website providing support and safety information. Available on iOS and Android.
Rights of Women
020 7251 6577
Family law advice line (England & Wales). Restricted hours — check the website before calling. Immigration & asylum: 020 7490 7689.
Crimestoppers — Anonymous
0800 555 111
Report crime anonymously. No name required. Available 24/7.
Ways to report domestic abuse
999 — Immediate danger
Call immediately if you are in danger. Press 55 if you cannot speak — the Silent Solution will alert police.
101 — Police non-emergency
Report abuse that is not urgent, or to follow up on a previous report.
National helplines
Wales: Live Fear Free 0808 80 10 800. England: National DA Helpline 0808 2000 247. Both free and 24/7.
Health & education
Speak to your GP, nurse, midwife, health visitor, teacher, or school safeguarding lead. They have a duty to act on disclosures.
Anonymous reporting
Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111. You can report crime without giving your name.
Online reporting
Most police forces allow online reporting via their website. The Bright Sky app also has a reporting tool.
Local authority & social services
To report concerns about children or vulnerable adults. Find your local authority at gov.uk. Out-of-hours emergency teams are available.
Karma Nirvana
0800 5999 247 — for honour-based abuse and forced marriage.
Galop
0800 999 5428 — for LGBTQIA+ survivors. Specialist caseworkers with experience of LGBTQIA+ abuse dynamics.
Specialist support
Support for disabled victims
Disabled people are significantly more likely to experience domestic abuse and face additional barriers to accessing support. Services must provide reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.
- Stay Safe East — advocacy for Deaf and disabled survivors (London-based, but their guidance and risk assessment tools are used nationally)
- RNID — support for Deaf and hard of hearing people
- RNIB — support for blind or partially sighted people
- Ask any service for BSL interpreters, accessible formats, or other adjustments — reasonable adjustments are a legal requirement, not a favour
Elder abuse support
Abuse of older people is often perpetrated by family members, carers, or in care settings, and frequently goes unreported.
Housing rights & immigration support
Emergency & priority housing
As a victim of domestic abuse, you have specific housing rights. You do not have to stay in an unsafe home.
- Priority Need: Being homeless as a result of domestic abuse gives you priority need — under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 in Wales, and the Housing Act 1996 as amended in England. You cannot lawfully be turned away
- You should not be asked to prove the abuse when you first approach the council, and they must not contact your abuser
- Refuge spaces: Wales — Live Fear Free 0808 80 10 800. England — National DA Helpline 0808 2000 247
- You cannot be evicted without a court order — even if your name is not on the tenancy
- Sanctuary Scheme: Security improvements to help you stay safely in your own home — ask your local authority
- Wales: Shelter Cymru housing advice · England: Shelter England housing advice
- You may be entitled to remain in the family home via an Occupation Order
Immigration & no recourse to public funds
If your immigration status depends on your partner, or you have no recourse to public funds (NRPF), you are not without options. Specialist support exists — take advice before making any application.
- Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC): If you are in the UK as the partner of a British or settled person, you may be able to access public funds for a limited period to leave safely. Get specialist advice first
- No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF): Local authorities have duties under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, the Care Act 2014 in England, and the Children Act 1989 even where NRPF applies — do not be turned away
- Southall Black Sisters — specialist immigration and DA support: 020 8571 0800
- Law Centres Network — free legal advice on immigration and housing
- Rights of Women — immigration and asylum advice line: 020 7490 7689
Support for male victims
Male victims of domestic abuse often face unique barriers — stigma, shame, disbelief, and a lack of male-specific services. Support is available, confidential, and without judgement.
ManKind Initiative
National charity for male and non-binary victims of domestic abuse
ManKind Initiative provides specialist, confidential support to men and non-binary people experiencing or recovering from domestic abuse. Their services are inclusive and rooted in dignity and respect.
What ManKind offers
- Confidential helpline — anonymous support for victims, their loved ones, and professionals
- Practical advice — housing, legal protection, emotional wellbeing, and navigating statutory services
- Safe accommodation — help locating the limited refuge and emergency housing available to men
- Awareness & advocacy — campaigns to challenge stigma and improve recognition of male victims
0808 800 1170
Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm
01823 334244
For inclusive minutes
mankind.org.uk
Additional helplines for men
- Men’s Advice Line (Respect): 0808 801 0327 — confidential support for men experiencing domestic abuse. Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm
- Safeline — National Male Survivor Helpline: 0808 800 5005 — for male survivors of sexual abuse. Weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 10am–2pm
- Live Fear Free (Wales): 0808 80 10 800 — 24/7, open to men and women
- Samaritans: 116 123 — 24/7, free, confidential emotional support
- Police: 101 non-emergency, or 999 in immediate danger
Breaking the silence
Male victims of domestic abuse often face unique barriers to disclosure — including stigma, shame, and disbelief from services. Responses must be empathetic, validating, and practically helpful. No one should suffer in silence regardless of gender.
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Comprehensive UK DA Protection Guide — Legal Rights, Court Orders & Support Services
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Understanding the Narcissist’s Cycle of Abuse
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Police Misconduct & Victim BlamingYour Pain, Your Voice, Your Life Matters
All resources by NAAVoices.com — survivor-led, trauma-informed, evidence-informed
