Domestic Abuse Support and Information

Date updated: 11/01/2023

In an emergency, call 999 and dial 55 if you are unable to speak.

Be aware of who has access to your computer and delete your browsing history when you are finished. If you don’t feel safe looking at this information because you don’t have private access to a computer or you don’t want anyone looking at the pages you have seen please consider using your web browser's private setting. Right-click the browser application and select InPrivate window (Microsoft Edge) or Incognito Window (Google Chrome). Remember to also delete this page from your browser history. You can delete specific pages from your history by right-clicking them in the history pane and clicking delete.”

24-hour support lines

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline can help you find a refuge vacancy for you and your children. They can also support you to find other specialist services in your community, which can provide support whether or not you have left your partner. Call 0808 2000 247.

Contact Victim Supportline for free and confidential support on 0808 16 89 111 or use their free online chat service.

Women’s Aid have live webchats available 10am to 12pm, Monday to Friday.

If you are worried about a child, please call Children’s Social Care on

020 7332 3621 – 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
020 8356 2710 – at all other times, including weekends and bank holidays
In an emergency, call the police on 999.

Ask for ANI - Government scheme designed to help keep you safe from harm

More information on Ask for ANI can be found below or check out the Government web page about the Ask for ANI scheme.

Spotting the Signs of Abuse 2020 PDF (2MB)

Date submitted: 20/07/20

Keep your phone on you at all times in case you need to call the police.
Family, friends and neighbours can support you.

Download the Bright Sky app from Hestia for advice and safety planning. The app is disguised as a weather app.

The Community Safety team and the City of London Police have pulled together the following videos around sexual violence and abuse.

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week
You will be believed if you report sexual assault or rape
What is the role of a SOIT (Sexual Offences Investigative Trained) Officer
You are not alone
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week is over but support is available all year round.

Many pharmacies across the UK, including Boots, Superdrug and independent pharmacies have signed up to the government’s Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) scheme, offering people affected by domestic abuse a place to seek support and advice. Pharmacies involved with the scheme will have displayed a poster in their window or at the pharmacy.

Ask for ANI domestic abuse codeword scheme

The Boots pharmacies within the City of London that are currently taking part in this scheme are:

138-140 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 6BL
104 Cheapside, EC2V 6DN
21 One New Change, EC4M 9AG
143 Moorgate, EC2M 6XQ
11 Octagon Arcade, EC2M 2AB
200 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NR
88 Aldgate High St, EC3N 1LH

Solace Early Intervention and Prevention projects are building a collective of young people to speak out against violence in their communities through awareness-raising group programmes and advocacy support. You can find more information and contact details on the Solace website. Please contact Solace if you would like to make a referral.

All Boots branches across the UK now provide a safe space for victims of domestic abuse, with information about and access to support services. Find your nearest Boots store by using the NHS “Find a Pharmacy” tool. If the opening times are unavailable, this means that the store is temporarily closed.

Accommodation is available for male victims and survivors of domestic abuse in London from the London Victim and Witness Service.

Male victims and survivors of domestic abuse can receive crisis accommodation support, alongside specialist domestic abuse support and longer-term housing support. The crisis accommodation will be provided for up to three months and longer-term housing options will be sought during this time. The service is free and confidential.

For information and help to access this support, please email Victim Support.

The City of London has a new service supporting people from the Bangladeshi community, the Specialist Bangladeshi Advocate. The advocate can provide support to anyone who lives or works within the City of London, 16+ from the Bangladeshi community who has experienced domestic or sexual abuse. If you would like support please email the Specialist Bangladeshi Advocate or complete the referral form (at the bottom of this page). The service runs from 9am-5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. For support outside of these hours please call 999 in an emergency or the 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Visit Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline for more information.

Individuals fleeing abusive situations can apply for free train travel to refuges through the ‘rail to refuge’ scheme, which is supported by Southeastern and Great Western Railway. Women's Aid answer some frequently asked questions.

Economic abuse often occurs alongside other forms of abuse and is commonly part of a pattern of behaviour through which abusers seek to control their victims. Surviving Economic Abuse for more information.

The Sanctuary Scheme is a free scheme available to anyone living in the City of London, or in a City of London property. The aim of the scheme is to protect victims of domestic abuse and to help them to stay in their own homes, whilst also acknowledging when this is not a safe option for the victim. The scheme is co-ordinated through the City of London homelessness team, in partnership with City of London Police.

Sanctuary Safe Room

A Sanctuary Safe Room (installed only in a home where the perpetrator no longer resides) can be installed along with a range of other security features aimed at delaying unlawful entry and allowing time for the emergency services to arrive.

Sanctuary Scheme Guidance

Guidance to all agencies involved in setting up and delivering a Sanctuary Scheme.

Respect Phoneline is a confidential helpline, email and webchat service for domestic abuse perpetrators and those supporting them.

They support men and women who are using abuse, in same-sex or heterosexual relationships.

Their team of friendly Advisors will listen to you without judgment and offer you honest advice to help you stop being violent.

They also offer advice to concerned friends and family members, as well as frontline workers who work with perpetrators.

Call 0808 8024040 or visit Respect Phone Line

Vulnerable Victims Advocate: 07944634946 / 0808 16 89 111

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Victim Supportline: 0808 16 89 111

Galop (LGBT+ service): 0800 999 5428

Women’s Aid: email Women’s Aid