Get help and support
Whether you are currently experiencing domestic abuse or have recently left an abusive relationship, it is important to know you are not alone and you are not to blame.
Specialist support workers are here to help and support you. They will listen to you, understand your situation, explain what they can do to help and most importantly make sure you're happy with how to move forward.
Everything will be done at your own speed. There is no judgement and nothing to feel embarrassed about.
Here are some steps you can take to help someone who confides in you that they are experiencing domestic abuse:
- Give them time to talk at their own pace. Listen, try to understand and never blame the victim. They are not alone. Domestic abuse happens in all kinds of relationships and there are many people in similar situations. No one deserves to be abused, no matter what the abuser might have said to them.
- Ask if they need medical treatment because of injury.
- Encourage them to express their feelings and make their own decisions. Acknowledge that it takes time to trust someone enough to talk about their situation.
- Give them contact details of services that can help, listed on this webpage. These specialist domestic abuse services can offer you, and the person you are helping, a range of advice and support like safety planning, understanding legal rights, access to specialist support and safe accommodation, but make sure this is what the person you are helping chooses.
- Download the Bright Sky app. This free of charge app is available from all app stores. It provides support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know. The app is available to use in English, Polish, Punjabi and Urdu.
- Help them report the abuse to the Police if they choose.
- Go with them to see a solicitor if they are ready to take that step.
- Plan safe strategies if they want to leave the abusive relationship or situation.
Don't forget to look after yourself:
- Don't put yourself into a dangerous situation
- Don't offer to talk to the abuser
- Don't offer something you can't, or don't want to
Cautioning and Relationship Abuse (CARA) Project - a way of dealing with first time, 'standard risk' offenders of domestic abuse (intimate partner/ex intimate partner or family member abuse) out of court. Referrals to CARA must come from West Yorkshire Police as part of a conditional caution.
Recognise, Reflect, Change (RCC) Programme (Yorkshire Children's Centre) - A 6-week intervention for men involved in intimate relationship abuse where assessment results show first time offending to a higher than 'standard risk', or for those who have repeated offending but not to a level that is identified as 'high risk'. The programme focuses on the effects of domestic abuse on the victim and wider families, accountability and challenging denial, sexual respect and positive parenting. Sessions are held in Batley and Huddersfield. To request a referral form, or to refer yourself, email DAPPenquiries@yccuk.org.uk.
Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme (DAPP) (Yorkshire Children's Centre) - a 17-week programme for perpetrators deemed to have prolific behavioural issues with high levels of physical abuse, sexual abuse and controlling, stalking and coercive behaviours.
For everyone
Support, advice, information and access to safe accommodation.
- Phone 0800 052 7222 (24 hour helpline)
- Website Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership
A free, fast emergency injunction service for survivors of domestic abuse.
- Phone 0800 9702 070
- Website West Yorkshire Police
Report domestic abuse to specially trained officers.
-
Phone
999 (Emergency)
Phone 101 (Non-emergency)
- Website West Yorkshire Police
Confidential, free services for anyone who's experienced domestic violence.
-
Phone
0808 1689 111 (24/7 helpline) and live chat
Website Victim support
-
Phone
0300 303 1971
Website Help with domestic stalking - Victim Support
For women
Safe accommodation with access to emotional and practical support.
- Phone 0808 2000 247 (24/7 National Domestic Abuse helpline) and live chat
- Website Refuge
Help with aspects like housing, safety planning, dealing with police.
-
Email
helpline@womensaid.org.uk
Website Women's Aid
For men
Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse across the UK.
-
Phone
0182 3334 244
Website Mankind Initiative
Helpline for male victims of domestic abuse.
-
Phone
0808 8010 327
Website Respect - Men's Advice Line
For LGBTQ+ community
Specialist support for LGBT+ community.
-
Phone
0800 9995 428
Website Galop
Faith
-
Phone
0808 801 0500
Website Jewish Women's Aid
-
Phone
0208 908 6715 or Phone
0208 904 8193
Website Muslim Community Helpline
Drug and alcohol
- Phone 01484 353333 or 01924 438383
- Website Huddersfield - CHART Kirklees - West Yorkshire
- Phone 01484 541589
- Website The Base | Kirklees in Recovery
Financial support
Forced marriage
- Phone 0207 0080 151
- Email fmu@fcdo.gov.uk
- Website Forced Marriage
Housing
- Phone 01484 221350
- Website Housing and homelessness
- Phone 01484 415461 (extension 234 or 231) or 0749 677 6210
- Website KBOP
Mental health
- Phone Freephone 116 123 or for a local branch call 0330 223 3617
- Website Samaritans
Rape, sexual abuse, sexual health and revenge porn
- Phone 0300 303 4787
- Website KCRASAC
- Phone 0345 600 0459
-
Email
help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Website Revenge Porn Helpline
- Phone 0345 600 0459
- Website MESMAC
Social care
-
Phone
01484 456848
Phone Emergency duty and out of hours line 01484 414933
-
Phone
01484 414933
Phone Emergency duty and out of hours line 01484 414933
Stalking
A safe and supportive workplace can make a real difference to a victim of domestic abuse helping their journey out of an abusive situation and improving their longer-term prospects.
Accessing and remaining in work is vital to earn an income and the security that brings, as well as making social connections and maintaining health and wellbeing.
For individuals experiencing domestic abuse, the workplace itself can also be a place of safety and respite from the abuser, and a place where they can make the arrangements they need and contact specialist services.
What you can do
- Be aware and able to identify the signs of domestic abuse
- Know how to respond safely and appropriately to a disclosure of domestic abuse
- Know how to signpost to specialist services
- Have a policy and approach to domestic abuse that:
- sets out signs of domestic abuse, roles and responsibilities, education and training
- implements steps to ensure safety in the workplace,
- offers practical support to an employee in terms of paid leave access to flexible working and time out of work to deal with the consequences of domestic abuse
Further information and advice on Domestic Abuse advice for employers.
Need to talk?
For confidential advice, information and support, call the freephone 24-hour national domestic abuse helpline 0808 2000 847.
Remember, always call 999 in an emergency.
Was this information useful?
We'd like your feedback to improve the Kirklees Council website and the information we provide.