Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Pages
Safer Places
Helpline: 03301 025 811

Quick exitBrowse safely

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Contact Us Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Get Help
    • Help in a Crisis
    • Coronavirus (COVID 19) Safety Advice
    • Browse Safely
    • About Domestic Abuse
      • What is Domestic Abuse?
      • Spotting the Signs
      • Help for Family and Friends
      • Other Services
    • Our Services
      • Accommodation
      • Community Support
        • Outreach
        • Therapeutic Support
        • Therapeutic Programmes
        • Women's Centre
        • Support for Female Offenders
      • Children's Services
      • Stalking Advocacy Service
  • Training
    • About our Training
    • Qualifications
      • Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA)
      • Independent Sexual Violence Advisors course (ISVA)
      • Independent Stalking Advocacy Specialist (ISAS)
      • Young Person Violence Advisor (YPVA) - COMING OCT 2022
      • Level 2 Course in Understanding Domestic Abuse - COMING SOON
    • Short courses for organisations
    • Consultancy and Bespoke Packages
  • About us
    • Our Mission and Values
    • Our Approach
    • J9 Initiative
    • Our Team
    • Join Our Team
      • Work With Us
    • Our Policies
    • Our Partners
    • Contact Us
  • Support Us
    • Emergency COVID 19 Appeal
    • Donate
    • Fundraise For Us
    • Volunteer With Us
  • Our Impact
    • Survivor Stories
    • Hear Me
    • Evaluations
  • Latest
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • News
    • Blogs
    • Events
  • Make a Referral
  • Shop
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Pages
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Help for Family and Friends
  1. Get Help
  2. About Domestic Abuse
  3. Help for Family and Friends

Help for Family and Friends

I have concerns for someone I know - what can I do?

Domestic Abuse can happen to anyone and the chances are that you may know someone impacted by abuse – a parent, sibling, friend or colleague who is experiencing abuse or has done in the past.  

If you are trying to support someone, unless the person confides in you and are open about their experiences it can be difficult to address your concerns directly.  

Knowing what to do when you are worried for someone you care about and supporting someone experiencing abuse is difficult – try and make sure that you look after yourself during this time and do not put yourself at risk. It is important that you do not speak to the abuser – this can put yourself and the other person at risk.  

That said, there are some basic things that you can do such as; 

  • Listen 
  • Let them know that you believe them and acknowledge that it is a big step to tell some-one what is going on 
  • Take it seriously, recognise that they may be very frightened and at risk of harm 
  • Let them know that it is not their fault – it is not unusual for abusers to blame the victim/survivor
  • Don’t tell them what to do – encourage them to explore their options when they are ready, in their own time. Leaving an abusive relationship can be a dangerous time 
  • Know your local services – have telephone numbers ready or offer to go to appointments with them. This could be seeing a solicitor or reporting the abuse to the police if they want too.  
  • Consider anyone else that might be at risk, are there any children or other dependents in the home? Please refer to our [other services] for who to speak to if you are worried about their safety. 
  • Encourage them to access health services if they need too – they may be feeling low or have suffered physical harm 
  • Offer a safe place for her to store important belongings, correspondence or an emergency bag 

Published: 26th February, 2020

Updated: 15th April, 2020

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Gavin’s Muddy May

    Gavin’s Muddy May

    To raise funds for a worthwhile charity.

  • Level 2 Course in Understanding Domestic Abuse - COMING SOON

    Level 2 Course in Understanding Domestic Abuse - COMING SOON

    The annual Crime Survey estimates that almost 2.5 Million adults experience domestic abuse each year. In addition, one in five children witness or experience domestic abuse in their childhood. Although it is often an under reported crime, with most cases of domestic abuse kept hidden. The new Domestic Abuse Act 2021 makes prosecuting domestic abuse more straightforward, and offers more protection to those who are being abused, but cases still need to be identified and responses need to be effect

  • Level 3 Young Person Violence Advisor (YPVA) - COMING OCT 2022

    Level 3 Young Person Violence Advisor (YPVA) - COMING OCT 2022

    According to the Crime survey England and Wales (2015) 16-19 year olds are more at risk of domestic abuse than any other age group. The YPVA course will give you the skills to support young people experiencing abuse in their own intimate relationships.

  • Muddy May Mayhem

    Muddy May Mayhem

    Our first Muddy May Challenge fundraiser was muddier than we bargained for.

Related

  • What is Domestic Abuse?

    What is Domestic Abuse?

    What is Domestic Abuse? The UK government’s definition of domestic abuse is:   Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour,  violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.   This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse:  Coercive Control   Psychological and/or Emotional   Physical Sexual Financial or Economic Harassment

  • Spotting the Signs

    Spotting the Signs

    There are many ways an abuser abuses.  Abusers seek to gain power and control over another person or person. It can often start off small, with lots of different events that gradually chip away or erode confidence. Survivors have said domestic abuse makes you feel that you are losing your “sense of self” and that you can’t trust your own judgement or feel you don’t have the right to make decisions.

Most read

  • Level 3 Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA)

    Level 3 Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA)

    The IDVA qualification is a Level 3 OCNLR Qualification in Domestic Abuse: Prevention and Early Intervention. The course is designed for adult professionals working with families affected by domestic abuse.

  • J9 Initiative

    J9 Initiative

    The J9 Domestic Abuse Initiative aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse and assist survivors to access support safely by training professionals and members of the community to recognise domestic abuse and respond to survivors. Once J9 trained, the J9 logo is displayed, letting survivors know that they have a safe place to access information and use a telephone to contact support services.

  • Level 3 Independent sexual violence advisors course (ISVA)

    Level 3 Independent sexual violence advisors course (ISVA)

    This is a specialists level course designed to increase the knowledge of a qualified IDVA and someone who has been supporting victims/survivors of domestic abuse and sexual abuse for over a year. This course is delivered by Safer Places and we are delighted to have Zoe Lodrick working with us to deliver day 2.

  • Work With Us

    Work With Us

    At Safer Places, our team are our most important resource and a real asset to us. Having a highly competent, survivor focused, experienced and resourceful team is key to delivering a high quality service. We are proud of our team and our organisational culture is really important to us.   Working for Safer Places is no ordinary job. Every role in our organisation plays a part in delivering on our Mission. We work hard to create an environment that inspires and empowers staff to give their bes

  • About our Training

    About our Training

    At Safer Places we have a range of training courses and qualifications available, from short 3 hour sessions to Level 3 and 4 accredited qualifications.

  • Contact Us

  • Therapeutic Programmes

    Therapeutic Programmes

    Triple R is Safer Places' main trauma informed Domestic Abuse Programme which has three aims: To enable victims/survivors to recognise the abuse and its impacts on them and their children. To enable them to recover from the abuse and support their children to do so. To develop resilience by building on their strengths and addressing challenges in order to build a better sustainable safe future for themselves and their families We also run a Money support programme

  • About Us

  • Mission and Values

    Vision Safer Places vision is a society where everyone lives a life free from fear and abuse

  • Help in a Crisis

    Help in a Crisis

    If you or your children are in immediate danger, call the police on 999.  If you are not in immediate danger and would like to talk to us about your options, call our helpline on 03301 025811. We will provide you with the support and information you need to consider your options and decide what to do to improve your safety and that of your children.

Latest tweet

Registered office
PO Box 2489
Harlow
Essex

Phone: 03301 025 812
Email: [email protected]

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Charity Registration Number 1018832 | Company registration number 2789572 – Limited by guarantee