A website full of self-care tips, signposting to local and national services and stories from survivors. Breathing Space has been designed so that its purpose is not obvious, it can be hidden and has quick exit options.
Domestic abuse
If you are being subjected to domestic abuse, or you are supporting someone else who is being abused, you can get help immediately.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.
Silent mobile phone calls to the police will work if it is not safe for you to speak. Use the Silent Solution system – call 999 and then press 55 when prompted.
Need to talk to someone?
If you are not in immediate danger, please call one of the following helplines:
- NIDAS (Newcastle Integrated Domestic Abuse Service): 0191 226 3688 (24 hour helpline)
- Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge)
- Women's Aid live chat service (10 am to 6 pm – 7 days a week)
- Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
Remember you can also talk to any professional you trust, such as a midwife, a health visitor, your doctor, a teacher, or staff in the children and family hubs.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse can take many different forms:
- psychological and emotional abuse,
- physical violence,
- sexual violence and abuse,
- coercive control,
- economic abuse,
- forced marriage,
- honour-based abuse,
- female genital mutilation,
- stalking and cyber-stalking.
Abusers come from all backgrounds and all walks of life and anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse. They may be adults, children, people in heterosexual relationships and people in same-sex relationships, men, women, transgender and non-binary people, people from black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic backgrounds, asylum seekers and refugees, disabled people, religious and non-religious people.
It happens in intimate partner relationships and extended family relationships. It can also continue after relationships have ended. It is common for abusers to escalate their behaviour at the end of a relationship in an attempt to regain control over their partner.
Domestic abuse can have a significant, long-term impact on individuals, children, families and communities.
In Newcastle, we have a range of services to support survivors of domestic abuse. We support adults, children, young people and anyone worried about their own behaviour towards someone in their family. Details of these, and the main national domestic abuse services, can be found by clicking the button below.
Three steps to escaping domestic violence
An online leaflet, aimed at women in black and minoritised ethnic communities, with advice on three steps to escaping violence and abuse. It brings together such issues as honour-based abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, dowry abuse, domestic and sexual abuse and no recourse to public funds. The leaflet is available in 12 languages.
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