16

Apr
2020

Supporting people suffering with domestic abuse

As you may already be aware, domestic abuse during the lockdown is a very real concern and many people will be at an increased risk. If you are supporting people at risk, it is important to be proactive in asking appropriate and safe questions while families are in lockdown. To assist with this, Liverpool City Council has produced a document outlining welfare questions that you could ask. It also provides plenty of information about helplines and other available support.

You can download this document here (clicking the link will dowload a Word document to your device): Welfare Questions

999 silent solution

If you are supporting someone who is suffering with domestic abuse, speaking out is not always an option when someone is in real danger, so please encourage use of the 999 silent call.

The 999 call system allows all 999 callers to access support if they are unable to speak during the call. It is important that either a noise is made or that 55 is pressed. For example, if you can only make noise, such as tapping the handset, coughing, crying or even talking to the offender, then these actions will alert the attention of the BT operator.

Please reassure service users that the Police Force and specially trained officers are still there for people during the lockdown. The below list details services which are also available:

For support:

In an emergency always, ring 999. Using a silent 999 call followed by 55 (or tapping/coughing into the phone) will enable police to respond.

National Domestic Abuse 24 hour Support Helpline: 0808 2000 247

RESPECT National Helpline, perpetrators (9am to 5pm): 0808 802 4040

Support directories:

Liverpool’s Early Help Directory

Victim Care Merseyside

Additional helplines:

Liverpool Domestic Abuse Services 0151 263 7474

Merseyside Domestic Violence Service 0780 272 2703

South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Services 0151 494 2222

Ruby Project 0771 428 9180

Savera UK (honour based abuse & harmful practice specialist) 0800 107 0726

Worst Kept Secret Helpline (Merseyside) 0800 028 3398

Support for children:

Young Persons Advisory Service (YPAS) 0151 707 1025

NSPCC

Support for men:

Men’s Advice Line (Freephone) 0808 801 0327

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