Student Support have put together the below information, you can find more resouses from them here - what they do and what they offer.

The Office for National Statistics reported that in the year ending March 2019, an estimated 2.4 million adults aged 16 to 74 years experienced domestic abuse in the last year (1.6 million women and 786,000 men). Since the coronavirus crisis hit the UK in March this year, this number has increased drastically, with the National Domestic Abuse Helpline reporting a 120% rise in the number of calls it received across a 24-hour period on 9 April 2020 and an even greater increase in traffic to its website. This page has been set up to provide information on what is domestic abuse, how you can seek help if you are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse, and how you can help friends and people you know who may be experiencing domestic abuse. 

If you or anyone else is in immediate danger you should call 999. If it is not safe for you to speak you can use Silent Solution on most modern mobile phones.

If you are looking for information about support, but are concerned that this could put you in danger, here is some information on safe browsing. Staying safe online when looking for support:

https://womanstrust.org.uk/browse-safely/

https://www.refuge.org.uk/our-work/our-services/tech-abuse-empowerment-service/

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial, or sexual which takes place within close relationships, usually by partners, ex-partners or family members.

As well as physical violence, domestic abuse can involve a wide range of abusive and controlling behaviour, including threats, harassment, financial control and emotional abuse. It is important to bust the myth that domestic abuse is only physical. Abuse can also be financial, such as someone taking money/controlling access to money, emotional such as someone putting you down and demanding constant attention, psychological such as intimidating you or making you feel like you are going crazy, or sexual such as forcing you to engage in unwanted sexual acts.

It can often start off small, with lots of different events that gradually chip away or erode your confidence. It can sometimes make you feel that you are losing your “sense of self” and that you can’t trust your own judgement or feel you don’t have the right to make decisions. Women have often described being made to see, think or do things the perpetrators way or changing their behaviour to avoid making their abuser angry

Information from here.: https://www.solacewomensaid.org/get-help/what-domestic-and-sexual-abuse

Further information

https://www.solacewomensaid.org/get-help/what-domestic-and-sexual-abuse

https://www.solacewomensaid.org/coronavirus-and-abuse

Where can I go for help?

There are a number of different ways you can seek support if you are experiencing Domestic Abuse. If you are unsure, you can speak with a member of the Student Support team, however we may suggest that you speak to a trained professional to provide more in-depth support. 

The following organisations provide free support and advice to anyone experiencing domestic abuse. There are a number of different ways to contact them depending on your circumstances. If you are not sure that your computer or phone is safe to use, please read the links above on safe browsing. 

National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 – free 24/7 support
Women’s Aid – offers support via email, forums and online chat which can be accessed here 
National LGBTQ+ Helpline – 0800 999 5428 | 10:00 – 17/20:00 Mon-Fri
Chinese Information and Advice Centre - this service offers bilingual support for Chinese nationals
Southall Black Sisters – offers support via phone, email and blogs which can all be accessed here
Men’s Advice Line – 0808 801 0327 | 09:00 – 20:00 Mon-Fri.

You can also utilise the “Safe spaces” offered by Boots, Superdrug, Morrisons’ and some independent pharmacies are offering. You can find further information on this here: Safe Spaces
 

Further information

https://www.solacewomensaid.org/get-help/practical-advice
https://www.refuge.org.uk/get-help-now/
https://www.solacewomensaid.org/get-help/staying-safe

How can I help?

Everyone can have a role to play, so if you’re asking yourself ‘how can I help?’ we’ve listed some suggestions below:

Create a safe space  - Make sure you speak in private, make it clear you won’t judge, only then will she feel safe enough to open up

Tell them you’re worried - Try “you haven’t seemed yourself lately. Is there anything you want to talk about? Is everything ok at home?”

Take them Seriously. Listen. Believe them. - Women are often dismissed. They’re told he seems like a nice guy, or a great dad. Trust what she says. 

Tell them it’s not their fault. - Your friend might blame themselves. Tell them nothing they could do justifies abuse. The perpetrator alone is responsible. 

Don’t Judge them - Don’t ask why she hasn’t left or judge her choices. Instead, build her confidence and focus on her strengths. 

Remind them they are not alone - She may have been deliberately isolated. Say you are there for her, and that there are solutions. 

Encourage them to seek support. - Reassure her that she can seek free and confidential support which is non-judgemental. Provide her with some of the links and numbers above in a safe way. 

Give them time - It might take several tries before she confides in you. Be patient. Recognising the problem is the first step.

Information from: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Supporting-a-survivor


Further information

https://www.solacewomensaid.org/news/could-viral-domestic-abuse-code-word-posts-be-doing-more-harm-good-during-lockdown
https://womanstrust.org.uk/resources/im-worried-about-someone/
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Supporting-a-survivor