Anyone can experience domestic abuse or sexual violence – it affects people of all ages, regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity and background. There are specialist services available to support you.
If you or anyone else is in danger, please all the police on 999 immediately. If you ring 999 but can’t talk, make sure the police know you are there by coughing or tapping the handset, or by dialling 55.
In a non-emergency please call 101
You can also text 67101
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have any speech impairment, in an emergency please dial Minicom/Textphone 18001. If it’s not an emergency, dial 18001 101.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is defined as controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse. Our services are delivered to children and young people who are, or have been, intimate partners or are family members. It can take many forms and includes psychological, physical sexual, financial and emotional abuse, stalking, so-called ‘honour’ – based abuse, forced marriage and the illegal practice of Female Genital Mutilation.
Sexual violence and abuse
Sexual violence and abuse is a broad term describing all sexual offences against adults and children. It occurs when the person is forced, coerced or deceived into sexual acts against their will or without their consent. Sexual violence and abuse can happen to anyone in our community. It does not have to be a single act but can occur as part of a continuum of attitudes and actions.