In an Emergency always dial 999
National 24 Hour Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
Crisis Intervention Services
Zero Suicide Alliance – Because ONE life lost is ONE too many.
Suffolk Police – We are committed to supporting domestic abuse victims – together with our partner agencies, we can and we will help you. Our message is simple – no-one need suffer in silence.
Mental Health Crisis Team for Waveney – The Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team provides intensive support for people in mental health crisis in their own home, or other suitable alternative such as a crisis house. The crisis resolution team will stay involved until the problem is resolved.
Mental Health Crisis Team for Suffolk Coastal– As above.
Childline is the UK’s free, confidential helpline dedicated to children and young people.
Samaritans – Provides confidential non-judgmental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Whatever you’re going through, whether it’s big or small, don’t bottle it up. We are here for you if you’re worried about something, feel upset or confused, or just want to talk to someone.
Child Safeguarding – Suffolk County Council link. If you think a child is at serious risk of harm.
Adult Safeguarding – Suffolk County Council link. If you think an adult is at serious risk of harm.
NSPCC – Don’t wait until you’re certain if you are worrie about a child. If you have any concerns or suspicions, contact our free helpline service to speak to an NSPCC counsellor 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Homelessness and Housing Support – Suffolk County Council. Out of hours. If you find yourself homeless and the offices are shut this is the link to get help. They also can provide temporary emergency accomodation for the night.
RSPCA – Suffolk East Coast – Caring for and serving animals in and around: Lowestoft, the Waveney Valley including Beccles & Bungay, Kessingland, Southwold, down to mid-Suffolk including towns and villages surrounding Halesworth, Yoxford, Leiston and Aldeburgh.
Women’s Aid – A free service you can call for help and advice. This is a national 24 hour helpline.
Emergency Housing & Refuge
Liberty Project – North Suffolk. The Liberty project provides a women’s refuge and a support helpline (during office hours) for women suffering domestic violence.
Lighthouse Women’s Aid – South Suffolk. We offer temporary accommodation in safe and supportive refuges where women and their children can recover from the traumatic effects of domestic violence and make informed choices. We also offer a range of community services, courses and counselling to support women to rebuild their lives after abuse.
Bury St Edmunds Women’s Aid – West Suffolk. We offer temporary accommodation in a safe and supportive refuge where women and their children can recover from the traumatic effects of domestic violence and make informed choices. We also offer a range of community services, courses and counselling to support women to rebuild their lives after abuse.
Leeway – Norfolk. A specialist domestic abuse charity. It is our primary aim to offer advice, support and information to anyone who has been or is currently experiencing domestic violence.
Domestic Abuse Services
Waveney Domestic Violence & Abuse Forum – see about us
Anglia Care Trust (ACT) – Male, Female & Family Support. ACT is now providing the Domestic Abuse Outreach Service (DAOS) for the county, working with individuals and families irrespective of whether they are living together or apart.
Leeway – Outreach service for Waveney. A specialist domestic abuse charity. It is our primary aim to offer advice, support and information to anyone who has been or is currently experiencing domestic violence.
Lighthouse Women’s Aid – is a charitable organisation based in Suffolk, UK providing emotional support to women and their children experiencing domestic abuse in their personal or family relationships.
National Women’s Aid – is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. We support a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK.
Domestic Abuse Teams
- Eastern Areas – 01986 835170
- Southern Areas – 01473 613500
- Western Areas – 01284 774007
Karma Nirvana – is a UK registered Charity that supports victims and survivors of Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse.
PHOEBE – a Suffolk charity promoting of health, opportunity, equality, benevolence and empowerment for black and ethnic minority women and children.
Aanchal – Helpline offering telephone support, emotional counselling and group work. Specifically for Asian women affected by domestic abuse. Languages offered are: English, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Sylheti, Tamil, Urdu
Victim Support – We are the national charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected across England and Wales. We also speak out as a national voice for victims and witnesses and campaign for change.
Victims Information Service – Government information service for victims of crime or abuse.
SafeLives – A national charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse. Previously called Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse (Caada), we chose our new name because we’re here for one simple reason: to make sure all families are safe.
Action on Elder Abuse – The UK’s only national helpline dedicated to the abuse of older people and vulnerable adults, providing emotional support, advice and information on elder abuse
Men’s Advice Line – A confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members). We help by: giving you time to tell your story; offering emotional support; providing practical advice; signposting you to other services for specialist help
Respect – National Perpetrator support. A confidential and anonymous helpline for anyone concerned about their violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner
Galop – Emotional and practical support for LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse. Abuse isn’t always physical- it can be psychological, emotional, financial and sexual too. Speak out, don’t suffer in silence.
Norfolk & Suffolk LGBT Project is a community based service run by & for the LGBT community. It is a service influenced by the needs of its service users. We believe that by working in partnership with local groups, communities and organisations that we can provide the best possible service for the LGBT community in Norfolk & Waveney.
Sexual Abuse Services
Suffolk Rape Crisis – Offers confidential telephone support and information service and a counselling service. When you contact us we will listen to you; when you feel ready we will help you find ways to explore difficult feelings. We do not make judgments about the women who use our service nor do we tell them what to do. Instead we aim to give women a space to talk about their own issues at their own pace.
The Ferns – The Ferns is a sexual assault referral centre and provides a one-stop location, offering medical care and emotional support to any victim of sexual assault.
Survivors in Transitions – Supporting adult survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, offering group sessions per week, telephone, email and online support as well as a specialist counselling and therapy service
Sue Lambert Trust – Norfolk counselling service provide a range of services including one to one counselling, practical support and a telephone helpline. We also run this website as a source of support and information.
Male-Rape.org.uk – Supporting male survivors by offer a telephone help line for men who have been abused and for partners and family members affected by abuse. As well as a training service for professionals and the voluntary sector on issues around male sexual and physical abuse.
General Housing Support
Mental Health, Housing and Financial Guide for Veterans
Shelter – National support for people struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services
Flagship Housing Support Team – Provides housing-related support to people living in the community across Waveney in Suffolk. For information about receiving support
Access Community Trust – Hostels & Temporary Housing if you are homeless. Our vision is to promote social inclusion for the community benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.
Children Affected by Abuse
Reporting a child at risk of harm, abuse or neglect (safeguarding) – If you think a child or young person is at serious risk of harm.
Children’s Centres – Suffolk (0-5 years) Services include advice on child and family health, parenting, money, training and employment. The Children’s Centre Teams are made up of health visitors, family support practitioners and support and information officers
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor about anything -no problem is too big or too small.
NSPCC – National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
You & Co is Victim Support’s youth programme that helps young people cope with the impact and effects of crime. You do not have to report the crime to the police to get support from us.
The Hideout Website – is for young people and children. Women’s Aid have created this space to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it’s happening to you.
Kidscape – is committed to keeping children safe from abuse. Kidscape is the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. Kidscape works UK-wide to provide individuals and organisations with practical skills and resources necessary to keep children safe from harm.
Fresh Start New Beginnings – A service for children who have been sexually abused. Providing a therapeutic service to child victims of sexual abuse that is tailored to their unique individual needs taking account of their race, heritage, religion, gender, age, ability, beliefs, sexual orientation and their wishes. We aim to help these children and young people overcome their trauma and confusion by helping them understand what has happened to them, giving them tools to overcome difficulties and teaching them to identify their strengths and potential.
Legal/Court Advice & Support
Rights of Women – Their services aim to provide women with the legal advice and information they need to understand and use the law and their legal rights
Criminal Courts
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) This link explains how the CPS deals with cases involving domestic abuse.
Witness Service (Citizens Advice Bureau) – support at court as a witness
Civil/Family Court
Civil Legal Advice – Government website. Offering help including, debt, if your home is at risk, housing, eg if you’re homeless or at risk of being evicted, domestic abuse, family issues, eg family mediation or if your child’s being taken into care, special education needs, discrimination.
Norwich Magistrates’ Court and Family Court Contact Us Page
Ipswich Magistrates’ Court Contact Us Page
Family Court Without a Lawyer – A self help guide by Lucy Reed (£17.99)
Health & Wellbeing Services
Suffolk Wellbeing Service – They offer a range of support to help you make changes in your life to improve your wellbeing and help you cope with stress, anxiety and depression. These include stress control and wellbeing workshops or classes, telephone support, group therapies and some short term therapy or counselling.
NHS Choices – NHS non-emergency number. It’s fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you.
Mencap – Supporting people with learning difficulties
MIND – advice and support for those suffering with mental health problems
Young Minds – The YoungMinds website offers information to young people about mental health and emotional well-being.
Turning Point – Supporting people with mental health, learning disability, substance misuse and employment.
Healthwatch Suffolk – If you have a problem with a health and/or social care service and need support
Rehab Recovery – is an organisation that provides addiction treatment and healthcare advice for a wide range of of different addiction and dependency problems. We offer a high quality advice and referral service that matches our clients to the right variety of treatment which will solve their problems and let them get on with their normal lives free of the burden of addiction.
Other Support Services
SSAFA – Provides lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force, reserves & their families.
Age UK – Suffolk works with and for older people in Suffolk, campaigns with them and on their behalf and is a provider of direct services and support across the county.
Debtline – Free advice to support you with your financial difficulties
D.I.A.L. – Lowestoft & Waveney – disablement information & advice line
Gyros – Formed in 1998, GYROS supports newcomers and migrant communities in the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft area. GYROS front page flyer Lwst 2016
Papworth Trust – Support for people with disabilities & their families Suffolk wide
Hate Crime – Suffolk Constabulary works with people who may have been targeted due to one or more of the following:Age, Alternative Subculture, Disability, Gender, Gender Identity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sexual Orientation
ISCRE – Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality – help organisations, agencies and employers in the statutory, private and voluntary sectors, to understand the extent and nature of discrimination and inequality experienced by individuals and groups in fields such as the criminal justice system, housing, employment, education, health and social care.
VoiceAbility – If you or someone you know feels vulnerable or needs support, we may be able to work with you to speak up and be heard, have your rights respected and be at the heart of decision making.
The Trussell Trust – Helping feed local people in crisis. The aim of The Trussell Trust is to end hunger and poverty in the UK. We support a nationwide network of food banks and together we provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.
Citizens Advice Bureau – Voluntary organisation offering advice, guidance & information, to include supporting you in court & legal advice.
Salvation Army – A voluntary religious organisation offering support to those in crisis & distress. One of their services is providing hot meals free of charge.
Fire Safety Suffolk – Keeping you safe from the risk of fire and arson
Suffolk Family Carers – Support for those caring for a family member
Lowestoft Rising – Aiming to create a significantly improved quality of life for everybody growing up, living in, working in, visiting and investing in Lowestoft
Relate – Offers advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone and through their website.
Ormiston Families – A leading children’s charity in East Anglia, offering support to children and families affected by imprisonment; work with families from Gypsy and Traveller Communities; run children’s centres and offer a range of support to parents.
RIFT – Please view this website as it has advice and guidance on helping you and your debts
Befriending Services
Age UK Befriending Services – Offer weekly befriending visits of about an hour and we also offer telephone befriending where volunteers will ring each week where a personal visit is not possible or a telephone call is preferred.
Lowestoft Community Church – Offer a friendship club for all ages, All Stars club to support families who have children with additional needs, Klub, a weekly group for 9-13 year olds, Footprints, a weekly group for 5-8 year olds & Tiny Tots, a weekly playgroup for parents & toddlers 0-4 years old.
Have your say – if you wish to raise your concerns about services in your area contact:
Office of the Police Crime Commissioner Suffolk – Contact your Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore
Member of Parliament for Waveney Peter Aldous
Member of Parliament for Suffolk Coastal Therese Coffey
Other information hubs
Suffolk InfoLink – Information on services available to you throughout Suffolk
New Dawn – Suffolk County Council website linking you to domestic abuse services in Suffolk
Useful Research and Literature
The Children’s Society – Meeting the needs of young people with learning disabilities who experience, or are at risk of, sexual exploitation
College of Policing – Authorised professional practice on domestic abuse 2015
Victims Code – The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (the Code for Victims) is the statutory code which sets out the minimum level of service victims should get from criminal justice agencies.
Police & Crime Plan – Suffolk 2013/17
Picking up the Pieces – Rights of Women report 2012 – Child contact and the Family Courts
Mothering through Domestic Violence – Radford & Hester’s book 2006
Twenty-nine child homicides – Lessons still to be learnt on domestic violence and child protection – Women’s Aid
Sturge and Glaser 2000 – Child contact and Domestic Violence.
Clare’s Law – Guidance for Third Party Applicants
Clare’s Law – Guidance for Applicants
Books
Coercive Control The Entrapment of Women in Personal Life Evan Stark
Invisible Chains: Overcoming Coercive Control in Your Intimate Relationship Lisa Aronson Fontes
Operation Lighthouse: Reflections on our Family’s Devastating Story of Coercive Control and Domestic Homicide. Luke & Ryan Hart
The Devil At Home: The horrific true story of a woman held captive Rachel Williams
Our 2017 leaflet to see our comprehensive leaflet of helpful links in Waveney.
Also available in Polish (Polskie); Portuguese (Português); Lithuanian (Lietuvių)
