Reporting domestic abuse
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999. If you need help, but cannot speak, use silent help – call 999 and press 55 and the operator will respond.
For non-emergency report to 101 or report the abuse online. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the textphone service 18000 or text 999.
What will the police do?
Once the incident of domestic abuse has been reported to the police they will:
- take a statement
- offer to refer the victim to an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor and/or Victim Support depending on the victim’s needs and any additional support they may need
- explain what support and services are available before and during court
Anonymous reporting
If you would like to report an incident of domestic abuse anonymously, you contact Crime Stoppers UK on 0800 555 111 or report the incident on the website. No personal details will be taken and your device will not be tracked, all they need is information on the incident.
Supporting someone who is being abused
The safety of your friend or loved one – and their children – is paramount. Talk to them about how they can stay safe.
You could:
- Agree on a code word so they could signal when they are in danger and needs you to get help
- Find out about services which could support them to locally and nationally
- Offer to keep a spare set of keys for them or important documents, such as passports, bank account details and benefit information so that they can access them quickly in an emergency
- Keep a log of the abusive incidents; encourage them to visit the GP and keep copies of emails and texts
- Encourage them to call either the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline, National Domestic Abuse Helpline for women and Mencap for men to a discuss safety planning
- Remember, in an emergency and if you fear for your friend’s safety, always call 999.
Court injunction
If you’ve been a victim of domestic abuse, you could apply for an injunction for free. An injunction is a court order that either could;
- protect you or your child from being harmed or threatened by the person who has abused you - this is called a ‘non-molestation order’
- decides who can live in the family home or enter the surrounding area - this is called an ‘occupation order’
To see if you are eligible for a non-molestation or occupation order, check the criteria of each injunction to determine which one is most suitable to you. If you would like to know more about these injunctions, you can contact Hetfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline, Refuge, Women’s Aid, Citizens Advice or the Men’s Advice Line.
If you do not feel safe in your home because of domestic abuse, visit our Safe spaces and places of refuge page to find somewhere you can go.