The post also covers how to help children and animals in domestic abuse situations. Domestic abuse is not just physical violence. It can involve stalking, control (opening post) and not allowing people to leave home. Many people stsay due to worrying about children, pets or relatives. Others have no self-esteem, and others are simply plain scared, with nowhere to go. Don’t be flattered by someone being jealous or controlling – these could be warning signs. Read this extensive online security guide for women, packed with tips and resources.
Help Victims of Domestic Abuse
These charities can help. Give them a call or live chat/email, if safe to do so. In an emergency, contact the police. Know how to cover your tracks online.
- Women’s Aid
- Government Website
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline
- Refuge
- IDAS
- Woman’s Trust
- Mankind & Respect Men’s Advice Line
- GALOP (LGBT)
- Shelter (housing advice)
- International Domestic Abuse Help (global list)
Children at risk can call Childline (freephone). Or chat online with a counsellor. The site has info if you need to call at night, from a different country or speak a different language.
Help Animals of Domestic Abuse
Get paperwork in order, so you can legally take pets with you. If not possible, call the police and RSPCA. These charities can help, some foster pets at an undisclosed address (usually in a different area) until you sort yourself out. You don’t see them, but are kept updated on their well-being:
- Dog’s Trust Freedom Project
- Cats Protection Paws Protect
- Refuge 4 Pets (Devon & Cornwall)
- Endeavour Project (north west)
- Equation (Nottinghamshire)
- Pet Fostering Service Scotland
- Safe Place for Pets (US/Canada)
- Australia & New Zealand
Starting a Safe Havens Animal Program (PDF) is a free guide by a US charity with forms to adapt to UK law. AniCare offers a handbook to prevent animal abuse (and help children who have witnessed it). Charities that help in other countries:
Help to Stop Domestic Abusers
- Respect helps abusers with a confidential helpline. Concerned friends and family can also call.
- Coaching Boys into Men is a free kit to to educate abusers.
- Boycott lads’ mags (and misogynistic magazines). All encourage women to be ridiculed or bullied. Even ‘quality programs’ like Law & Order SVU portray awful depictions of rape and murder. If these programs didn’t exist, there would be no template on which to enact.
