Help and advice about domestic abuse, sexual violence and abuse and violence against women and girls

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Make Yourself Heard

In danger, need the police, but can't speak?

1. Dial 999

2. Listen to the questions from the 999 operator

3. Respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can

4. If prompted, press 55

Pressing 55 let's the 999 call operator know it's a genuine emergency and you'll be put through to the police.

If you have been affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence, and/or VAWG, there are various local, regional, and national specialist support services that can help.

If you need to flee domestic abuse, please call the free 24-hour Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

If there is an immediate risk to someone’s safety, always call 999.

Local Services:

East Sussex Domestic Abuse Service:
If you have been affected by domestic abuse or violence in East Sussex, get in touch with Change, Grow, Live (CGL) East Sussex Domestic Abuse Service. CGL offer support to anyone aged 16+ who has been affected by domestic abuse and violence.
Call 0300 323 9985 or email ESDomesticAbuse.Info@cgl.org.uk for support from CGL.

Refuge from domestic abuse:
Clarion Housing Association provides safe refuge accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence across East Sussex. If you are seeking refuge in East Sussex, email Clarion at referrals.eastsussex@clarionhg.com.

Statutory Services:

Worried about a child or teenager who might be at risk of harm or in danger?

In an emergency, always call 999. Otherwise contact the Single Point of Advice (SPOA) team by calling 01323 464222, between the hours of 8.30-5pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8.30-4.30pm on Friday.
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If you are concerned that you or an adult you know may be being abused, neglected, or exploited, contact Adult Social Care and Health or call 0345 60 80 191 between 8am-8pm 7 days a week, including bank holidays. If the person is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999.

Police:
You can report rape and sexual abuse in the following ways:

By calling 101
Online
In person at your local police station

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) or Clare’s Law, is a way to find out vital information to help you make a decision about whether it’s safe for you to continue your relationship. If you, or someone you know, has concerns about a relationship or think they may be at risk of abuse, you have the right to ask the police if a partner has had a history of violence or abuse. You can find out more about the scheme, how it can help, and where you can find support here.

Regional Services

Rape and sexual violence:

Survivors’ Network provide the specialist rape and sexual violence abuse service for Sussex. Visit the website or call 01273 203 380.

Stalking and harassment:

The specialist stalking advocacy services for Sussex is provided by Veritas Justice. Visit the website or call 01273 234 773.

Veritas also provide advice and tips on staying safe online: Cyber and Online safety - Veritas Justice

Specialist support for older victims/survivors of domestic abuse:

Hourglass provide advice and support for older people at risk of, experiencing or recovering from any form of abuse, including domestic abuse including ecomomic abuse. If you are concerned about yourself, or an older person you know, visit the website, text 07860052906 or call 08088088141.

Specialist support for Black victims/survivors:
HERSANA is a specialist support service for Black women and femmes who have experienced any form of gender-based violence. Visit the website, call 07376293487, or email info@hersana.org.

Specialist support for LGBTQIA+ victims/survivors of domestic abuse:
LGBT Switchboard provide an LGBTQ-led domestic abuse service supporting LGBTQ victims and survivors in an inclusive and affirmative community space. Visit the website, call 07724521654, or email domesticabuse@switchboard.org.uk.

Specialist support for male victims/survivors of abuse:
Mankind provide specialist support for men in Sussex affected by unwanted sexual experiences, offering self-help services, online and face-to-face counselling, and group therapy. Visit the website, call 01273 911680, or email admin@mkcharity.org.

You can also visit Safe Space Sussex if you have been affected by any crime. It provides an online directory of local victim and witness specialist support services. It also has information about what happens at each stage of the criminal justice system. This helps to ‘demystify’ the process for people when they may be at their most vulnerable.

National Services

Refuge provides a freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit the website to access a live chat, available Mon-Fri 3-10pm.

Women’s Aid and the Survivor’s Handbook provides information for women on a wide range of issues, including housing, money, help for children, and legal rights. Visit the website, email helpline@womensaid.org.uk, or use the Live Chat function, available 7 days a week.

The 24-hour Aanchal helpline provides support for women affected by domestic abuse, whatever your background, language, or cultural experience. Helpline staff are available to help you in several languages including English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Gujarati, Tamil, Bengali. You can contact them via their website or call 0797 099 0352.

Karma Nirvana provide support and information for victims/survivors of honour-based abuse and forced marriage. Visit the website, or call the helpline on 0800 5999 247, available 9-5, Mon-Fri.

The Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office operate a Forced Marriage Unit public helpline to provide advice and support to victims and potential victims of forced marriage, as well as professionals dealing with cases of forced marriage.

FORWARD,The Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development, provides support and campaigns to safeguard the sexual and reproductive health and rights of African girls and women, including issues like female genital mutilation. Visit the website or call 0208 960 4000.

SignHealth provide support and advice for Deaf victims/survivors of domestic abuse. Visit the website, text 07800 003421, or email da@signhealth.org.uk.

Mankind Initiative support men experiencing domestic abuse with a confidential helpline, information, and support. Visit the website or call 01823 334244.

Galop provide support for all LGBT+ people who have experienced hate crime, domestic abuse, or sexual violence. Visit the website or call 0800 999 5428.

Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service provide support for anyone affected by stalking. Visit the website or call 020 3866 4107.

Respect helpline provides a freephone helpline for anyone worried that they may be harming someone else. Call 0808 802 4040 to speak to someone confidentially and without judgement if you're worried about your behaviour.