Domestic abuse and coronavirus
During te coronavirus pandemic, families are likely to spend extended periods of time together. It is recognised that controlling behaviour and/or tensions may rise, escalating the risk of abuse and violence.
If you are currently experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone, and we would like
to reassure you that support services are still available to offer help. If you are
not sure if you are experiencing domestic abuse, please click here.
If you think a friend or a loved one might be experiencing domestic abuse, read more about how you can help
Support services
If you are in immediate danger, or suspect someone else is, call 999.
If you cannot talk, call 999, listen for the operator and then dial 55.
The main domestic abuse services to contact
Richmond borough - Refuge (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) and Outreach Service)
Monday – Friday 9 am - 5 pm
020 8943 8188
Other services
NHS domestic abuse and violence support pages
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/getting-help-for-domestic-violence
020 8940 0274
https://richmond.foodbank.org.uk/
Women’s Aid Live Chat online service
Monday to Friday 10am - 12pm
https://chat.womensaid.org.uk/
helpline@womensaid.org.uk. Staff will respond to your email within 5 working days. It is important that you specify when and if it is safe to respond and to which email address.
Rape Crisis Live Chat Helpline – available for women and girls aged 16 +.
Opening hours:
Monday: 2-4.30 pm, 6-9 pm;
Tuesday: 2-4.30 pm, 6-9 pm;
Wednesday:12-2.30 pm, 6-9 pm;
Thursday: 12-2.30 pm, 6-8.30 pm;
Friday: 9 am-11.30 am.
https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/want-to-talk/
COVID-19 Community Hub
020 8871 6555
Housing options – if you are at risk of homelessness, please contact Housing Information and Advice Team
020 8891 7409
Adult Social Services
020 8891 7971
Children and Family Support Services
020 8891 7969
Age UK Advice Line - Lines are open 8 am-7 pm, 365 days a year
0800 678 1602
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/age-uk-advice-line/
Galop - LGBT+ anti-violence charity
LGBT+ Advice Line. Monday to Friday between 10 am-12.30 pm and between 1.30-4 pm
020 7704 2040
help@galop.org.uk It is important that you specify when and if it is safe to respond and to which email address
Men’s Advice Line - Open Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm
0808 801 0327
info@mensadviceline.org.uk It is important that you specify when and if it is safe to respond and to which email address.
Mankind Male Victims of Domestic Abuse - Monday-Friday 10 am-4 pm
01823 334244
Surviving Economic Abuse guidance
