Help Us ...

What help is available?

Police
If you are concerned for your own or someone else's immediate safety always ring the Police on 999.

Refuge Accomodation
Refuge accomodation is available with 24-hour confidential advice, information and support in Grimsby. Call 575757.

Outreach Workers
Our Outreach workers offer emotional support and a listening ear to women - someone to talk to about your options, in confidence and face-to-face in a safe location when the costs and benefits of leaving or staying with the partner can be discussed ... more information »

National Domestic Violence Helpline
   Freephone 24 Hour 0808 2000 247

Domestic Violence ‘Drop-In’ Session
Staff are available to offer confidential advice and support for ANYONE experiencing any form of Domestic Abuse. No appointments necessary.

Tuesday - Victim Support, 10 Town Hall Street, Grimsby, 1-3pm.

Thursday - Women's Centre, (Women only) 36 Brighowgate, Grimsby, 9.30-11.30am

E-mail
You could email us in confidence at or use the contact form on this website. You will need to make sure it is totally safe for you to send and receive emails

Men experiencing domestic violence
Men can attend the local advice ‘drop in’ shown above or there is a national Male Advice & Enquiry Line 0845 064 6800.

‘Survivors’
Survivors is a support and advice group for women who have experienced domestic abuse. The group meet every Friday at 9.30. For more information ring Maria on 240906.

Do you need specialised support?
Women's Aid can sometimes access refuges across the country that offer specialised help and support for ethnic minority groups, asylum seekers and women with insecure immigration status.

Legal Rights
Women and children experiencing domestic abuse have legal rights and options available to them. Women's Aid staff can help you to gain more information. A free monthly legal advice 'drop in' is held at our Women's Centre (SEE)

Housing
Women's Aid staff have access to Housing Support Officers who will give you information and advice regarding your housing situation.

How to help a friend or colleague
The quality of support that is received from family or friends is likely to have a significant influence on victims decision-making. Sometimes they will make several attempts to leave before they actually leave permanently and safely. Regardless of their decision, it is important that the support offered does actually increase safety and doesn't make it more unsafe.

Unless you are attempting to assist someone who has been very open about their experiences it may be difficult for you to acknowledge the problem directly. However, there are some basic steps that you can take to assist a friend, family member, colleague, neighbour or anyone you know who confides in you that they are experiencing domestic abuse.

Approach them in an understanding, non-blaming way. Explain to them that they are not alone and that there are many people in the same situation. Acknowledge that it takes strength to trust someone enough to talk to them about experiencing abuse. Give them time to talk; don’t push them to go into too much detail if they don’t want to. Acknowledge that they are in a scary, difficult situation. Tell them that no-one deserves to be threatened or beaten, despite what the abuser has told them. Nothing they can do or say can justify the abuser’s behaviour.

Support them as a friend. Be a good listener. Encourage them to express their hurt and anger. Allow them to make their own decisions, even if it means they are not ready to leave the relationship. This is their decision. Is there any physical harm? Offer to go with them to the hospital or doctors. Help them to report the assault to the police if they choose to do so. Be ready to provide information on the help available. Explore the available options. Go with them to visit a solicitor if necesary. Let them decide what is safe and what is not safe. If possible, offer the use of your address and/or telephone number for information and messages.

Look after yourself while you are supporting someone through such a difficult and emotional time. Ensure that you do not put yourself into a dangerous situation; for example, do not offer to talk to the abuser about your friend or their relationship.

Confidentiality
Never forget the worst case scenario; in this sort of environment - a breach of confidentiality could result in physical harm or the loss of someone's life! Already anxious and worried, the person may never have talked to anyone before. Breaches in confidentiality could prevent them from trusting anyone else enough to seek help again.

Domestic Abuse Forum
The Domestic Abuse Forum is made up of many agencies working together to raise the awareness of Domestic Violence locally. It is crucial to the effectiveness of the response of other agencies towards Domestic Violence. The forum offers information/literature and training for staff within many agencies, a role that is vital in ensuring they understand the issues and are equipped to respond effectively. Staff in all agencies need to have a greater knowledge of domestic violence and improved levels of skill in responding with sensitivity.

Aims of the forum

• To increase awareness of domestic violence and its impact on adults and children.
• To raise standards of practice in responding to domestic violence and of offering help and support.

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