Domestic abuse

Get help and support

In an emergency

If you are in danger or an emergency, call 999.

If you cannot speak:

Make a silent 999 call:

• using a mobile, press 55, cough or tap on the handset when prompted and they will transfer your call to the police
• using a landline, if the operator can hear background noise, they will transfer your call to the police
   

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired:

Use Relay UK or set up emergency SMS. Text REGISTER to 999. You will get a text which tells you what to do next. Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger.

West Berkshire Domestic Abuse Service

Berkshire Women's Aid (BWA) support all people experiencing domestic abuse in West Berkshire.

They offer:

• the BWA helpline - 0808 801 0882 (or email helpdesk@bwaid.org.uk)
• safety planning
• refuge accommodation - BWA refuge
• financial, legal and housing advice
• outreach and Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) - BWA outreach
• a dedicated worker in the council's children's Contact, Advice and Assessment Service

Calls to the helpline are free from landline and mobile phones in the UK and do not appear on itemised bills.

If you are a professional and concerned about someone, please complete the BWA Referral Form [58KB] and email it to BWA.

Other support

Services:

• National domestic abuse helpline - free helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0808 2000 247
   
• Men's Advice Line - free helpline Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm: 0808 8010327
   
• Flag DV - free legal advice for victims of domestic abuse
   
• Karma Nirvana for victims of 'honour'-based abuse - free helpline Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm: 0800 5999 247
   
• Bright Sky - free mobile app and website for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else - only download the app if it is safe for you to do so
   
• Safe Spaces - safe and confidential locations (usually pharmacies or banks) where victims can take time to find support services or call friends or family
   
• Dogs Trust Freedom fostering scheme - dog fostering services for people fleeing domestic abuse
   
• Cats Protection Lifeline scheme - cat fostering service for people fleeing domestic abuse

Information:

• NHS getting help for domestic violence
• our domestic abuse housing advice
• Women's Aid advice on covering your tracks online
• Reducing the Risk website - information for victims or survivors and their family and friends

Check whether someone has an abusive past

If you are worried that your current or ex-partner has an abusive past, you can ask the police to check. It is your right to ask under Clare's Law (the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme).

If you are worried about a friend or relative, you can ask the police to check a current or ex-partner they still have contact with.

You can make a request online, by phone (call 101), at a police station or as part of a police investigation.
 

Get help if you think you might be an abuser

The Respect Phoneline is an anonymous and confidential helpline for people who are concerned about their behaviour, or the behaviour of someone they know.

The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm: 0808 8024040.

What domestic abuse is

Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of abusive behaviour between individuals aged 16 or over who are personally connected to each other. Personally connected means they are, or have been, intimate partners or family members.

Children who see, hear or experience the abuse and are related to the abuser or victim are also considered victims of domestic abuse.

You can read the full legal definition of domestic abuse in The Domestic Abuse Act.
 

Abusive behaviour can include:

• physical or sexual abuse
• violent or threatening behaviour
• controlling or coercive behaviour
• economic abuse
• psychological, emotional or other abuse
• 'honour'-based abuse
• female genital mutilation (FGM)
• forced marriage

You can read about types of domestic abuse on the Women's Aid website.

Domestic Abuse Strategy

We developed the  West Berkshire Domestic Abuse Strategy 2024-2027 [1MB]  in accordance with part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and in response to a local needs assessment.

The strategy highlights our understanding that we can only create a district where no one lives in fear through collaboration. At its core the strategy adopts a prevention focused approach.

Resources and training

The following websites have information, resources and training:

• Reducing the Risk - domestic abuse training (we work in partnership with Reducing the Risk to provide information, advice, training and resources to professionals supporting people affected by domestic abuse)
• Safe Lives

West Berkshire Council does not endorse nor accept any liability for, the content of these pages and sites.