Services Nationwide
Across Ealing there are a number of support services available to help you in making the right decisions for you. The range of specialist services available in the Ealing mean women have a choice of support to meet their needs. Find out more here.
Locally, you can also seek out support by talking to your doctor, health visitor or midwife.
In an emergency, if you are in immediate danger or risk of harm always call the police on 999
These helplines and services offer free, confidential support.
- You can contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 if you are a woman experiencing domestic abuse. You can talk confidentially to someone about your situation and to find out what your options are.
- If you are in a same-sex relationship you can call the National LGBT Domestic Violence Helplineon 0800 999 5428.
- Call the Samaritans free, confidential 24 hour service on 116 123 if you feel in despair and want someone to listen to you and provide emotional support.
- If you believe you are experiencing stalking, call the National Stalking helpline on 0808 802 0300 (open 9.30am – 4pm every weekday apart from Wednesdays, when it is open from 9.30am – 8pm).
- If you want support and advice around FGM, call the 24 hour FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
- The Survivor’s Handbook from the charity Women’s Aid is free and provides information for women on a wide range of issues, such as housing, money, helping your children, and your legal rights.
In an emergency call the police on 999
You can report any incident of domestic violence at any police station. If it is not an emergency, you can also telephone 101 to speak to the police.
In an emergency, if you are in danger or in immediate risk of harm always call 999
If you experience or witness sexual harassment on public transport:
- Text British Transport Police on 61016, call 0800 40 50 40or report online at btp.police.uk
- Download the British Transport Police app Railway Guardian from the App Store or Goggle Play Store. The app also contains safe travel guides and advice
Ask for Angela: This is a safety initiative being rolled out to bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across London. People who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This code-phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police. Read more.
Ask for ANI code word: If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for ‘ANI’ in a participating pharmacy. ‘ANI’ stands for Action Needed Immediately. If a pharmacy has the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo on display, it means they’re ready to help. Find your nearest participating pharmacy here.
Safe spaces: Boots UK, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse.
The Havens: Specialist centres in London for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. Services provided include first aid, emergency contraception, practical advice, optional forensic medical examination, medical aftercare and specialist support such as counselling, psychology and advocacy. All services are provided without clients having to report the assault or rape to the police. Urgent advice and appointments available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Tel: 0203 299 6900 (non-urgent enquiries 0203 299 1599)
If you or someone else in your family is being hurt at home, you may not be sure what you can do about it. Domestic abuse is not your fault, and you won’t get into trouble for telling someone about it.
The first thing is to tell someone else about what is happening to you. You can tell a teacher, a social worker, a trusted neighbour, friend or friend’s parent.
You can call Childline on 0800 1111 for free. They won’t tell anyone else you are calling unless you are in immediate danger. They can tell you about places where you can get help. Find out more.
The Mix are a support service that can connect children/young people to support services around any problems they may be having including domestic abuse. They can be contacted on 0808 808 4994 or via their live chat service (3pm-midnight every day).
Young Minds provides information and support for young people who may be struggling with their mental health, or worrying about someone else.
If you have experienced sexual harassment, abuse or violence at school or if you are worried about a child or young person, you can contact the NSPCC dedicated Report Abuse in Education helpline on 0800 136 663 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
Find out more from The Hideout about children and young people and domestic abuse and violence.
Refuges for Women
Women experiencing domestic abuse may be offered accommodation in a women’s refuge. Some refuges are specifically for women from certain backgrounds, such as Irish or Asian women. Staff at refuges can give you advice about your situation and discuss your options for moving on.
Contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 for more information about refuges.
If you are in a same-sex relationship you can call the National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline on 0800 999 5428.
The Rail to Refuge scheme helps survivors of domestic abuse travel to refuge for free across England, Scotland and Wales.
If you are a man experiencing domestic abuse:
- you can contact the Men’s Advice Line confidentially on 0808 801 0327. Or visit the webchat at Men’s Advice Line (Wednesday 10am to 11.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm) for non-judgemental information and support.
- you can contact the free and confidential ManKind Initiative helpline on 01823 334244
- you can contact the Samaritans helpline on 116 123 for 24-hour confidential emotional support for anyone experiencing distress or despair, including those who may feel suicidal.
If your behaviour is abusive or you have used abuse on someone close to you, it is important to reflect on your behaviours and how they have harmed others.
Being controlling and abusive is a choice of the abuser and there is no excuse for harming others around you. Becoming aware of how you’re acting will help you take control of your behaviours – and ultimately, stop.
You can access support to change your behaviour and become safe around your partner and children.
Men and Masculinities Programme: Provided locally in Ealing by specialist partner Cranstoun, this 24 week programme provides a safe space for people who have engaged in abusive, harmful and damaging behaviour within their relationships. The programme explores what it means to display appropriate behaviour within relationships and highlights how conflict, aggression and anger can deeply impact the lives of others. Find out more and self refer by calling 07701 373131 or by email adminDVA@cranstoun.org.uk
Respect have a confidential helpline offering advice, information and support to help perpetrators stop being violent and abusive to their partners. Available Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm on 0808 8024040 or by email info@respectphoneline.org.uk.
More information about the types of abusive relationships is available here.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or in need of urgent protection, call the police on 999.
Staying Safe / Practical Advice
We’ve put together some suggestions you might want to consider in order to make yourself as safe as possible.
Our Partners
Across Ealing there are a number of support services available to help in making the right decisions for you.
Want to report something? Visit Street Safe >