Domestic violence

This script contains organisations providing information and support to men or women of any age affected by anger and violence in a relationship. Please note that free phone numbers may be charged for by some mobile phone services.

Domestic violence can be physical, psychological, sexual or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship. Many people are affected by this controlling type of violence, both men and women. You don't need to cope alone, there are organisations and people that can offer support and practical help.

The 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline is for women experiencing physical, emotional or sexual violence in the home. The Helpline is a member of Language Line and can provide access to an interpreter for non-English speaking callers. The Helpline can also access the BT Type Talk Service for deaf callers. They provide advice, information and support. Callers can be referred to local refuges and emergency and temporary accommodation on 0808 2000 247 this line is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day or visit the websites www.womensaid.org.uk or www.refuge.org.uk.

Callers in Northern Ireland can call the free 24 hour helpline 0800 9171 414, or click on to the website www.belfastwomensaid.org.uk.

The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline provide a free support and information service for women, children and men in Wales who are experiencing or who have experienced abuse at the hands of someone close to them. Call free and in confidence on 0808 80 10 800 open 24 hours daily. This number will not show up on a land-line telephone bill. WDAH offer a fully bilingual service for Welsh and English speakers. For more information on how they can help you go to www.wdah.org.

The Mankind Initiative supports male victims of domestic violence, though they help all callers regardless of sex, race or sexual orientation. Call 01823 334244 (Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm & 7pm to 9pm) or checkout services at website www.mankind.org.uk. There's also a referral system for single men or men with children fleeing from domestic violence and needing a safe refuge.

Men's Aid provide support, practical information, advice on solicitors and local domestic abuse projects, to male sufferers of domestic violence. You can call their helpline 0871 223 9986 from 8am to 8pm 7 days a week or e mail to help@mensaid.com or check out their website at www.mensaid.com.

If someone has been violent towards you in any way you can call Victim Supportline in confidence. You might not want to involve the police but want someone to listen to how you feel. If you do want to go to the police, they can help you deal with this and can accompany you at court. Call them on 0845 30 30 900 on Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm or Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 7pm. You can also e mail them on info@victimsupport.org.ukor visit their website at www.victimsupport.org.

In an emergency always call the Police by dialling 999. They will take all reports of domestic violence very seriously and have specially trained, experienced officers to help.

If your anger is getting out of control and you're worried about the effects this is having on you, your partner and your family, you may find that counselling can help you. You can ask your G.P. to refer you or you can obtain a list of suitable professional counsellors in your area from The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy website at www.bacp.co.uk.

Relate offers relationship counselling, mediation and other services to help those experiencing difficulties in any adult couple relationship. You can view the whole range of Relate services on their website www.relate.org.ukwhich includes finding your nearest Relate, booking on a course, buying books and consulting experts online.

Shelter offers advice and information for anyone who is homeless as well as those dealing with all kinds of housing problems including housing rights, harassment, benefits, domestic violence, hostel placements and much more. The Shelter housing advice line on 0808 800 4444 is free and open from 8am to midnight every day. You can also access their help at www.shelter.org.uk where you'll also find an email service.

There are some specialist helplines and details of a few will be given now. However their helplines have limited opening hours and in an emergency at other times, the 24 hour domestic violence helpline given at the start of this script should be contacted.

The Hideout is a website supporting children and young people living with domestic violence, and those who may want to help a friend. The site informs children and young people about domestic violence and helps them identify whether it is happening in their home go to www.thehideout.org.uk.

The Everyman Project aims to help men to change violent or abusive behaviour. Their advice line for anyone concerned about a man’s violence is 0207 263 8884 (Monday - Thursday 10am-4pm). You'll find lots of information on their website www.everymanproject.co.uk.

The Jewish Women's Aid free phone helpline 0800 591 203 is open Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 9.30pm. Their website is at www.jwa.org.uk.

Broken Rainbow provide a helpline for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people who experience domestic violence on 08452 60 44 60 (Mondays & Thursdays 2 to 8pm & Wednesdays 10am to 1pm) or go to www.broken-rainbow.co.uk.

There's a website with support and information for children living with domestic violence which includes ideas of how to help a friend who may be living with this violence. Go to www.burstingthebubble.com.

This message has been prepared and updated regularly by New Media at Channel 4.

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