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Never forget that it is a crime for someone you know to abuse you in your own home or anywhere else

Whether they are your partner, a family member or someone you share your home with. Whatever the person abusing you might say, physical and emotional violence like this is never your fault.  Nobody has the right to abuse you in this way. You may be made to feel responsible and guilty for the abuse, but the source of the problem is the abuser, not you.

If you recognise any of the early warning signs in your relationship, then there are people who can listen and help you decide your next steps. You might not want or feel able to end your relationship at the  moment, but it’s important that you get help to end the abuse. Without intervention, it’s unlikely that the abuse will stop on its own.

There are many ways that you can ask for help and you don’t always need to report to the police. These could include:

· A trusted family member or friend – remember they might not react in the way you expect as they’re not trained in domestic abuse. However, getting the support of a friend to go with you to a specialist agency can be an important first step

· Call Refuge 0808 2000 247 this is a 24-hour confidential helpline where you can talk anonymously and ask for general information, advice and guidance  https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

· Male victims of abuse can call Mankind 01823 334244 mankind.org.uk   or

· Men’s Advice Line – Freephone 0808 8010327  www.mensadviceline.org.uk

· Karma Nirvana (forced marriage and honour-based abuse) 0800 5999 247

· Galop (LGBT Support) 0800 999 5428

· Call DASS Domestic Abuse Support Service (available across Cambridgeshire) 01234 264109 DASSreferrals@IMPAKT.org.uk confidential service to help develop support and safety plans

· Call Victim Support – 0808 1689 111

· Visit a pharmacy and ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) which is a  codeword scheme that enables victims of domestic abuse to discreetly ask for immediate help in participating pharmacies

· Visit a Safe Space – Retailers Boots, Morrisons pharmacies, Superdrug pharmacies, Well pharmacies, independent pharmacies, HSBC and TSB banks across the UK provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse. You can use a safe space in whichever way works for you. They provide a safe and discrete way to reach out to friends and family and contact specialist support services. Safe Spaces are open and ready for you to use – find at Safe Space at https://uksaysnomore.org/safespaces/

· If you are at risk of harm or it is an emergency, you should always call 999

Source: Victimsupport.org.uk *Women’s Aid ** ONS