Domestic abuse
If you’re worried that you or someone else may be experiencing domestic abuse, you don’t have to face it alone. Support is available. This page explains what domestic abuse is, how to report it, and where to get confidential advice from specialist organisations.
If you or someone else needs help right now
Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.
If you cannot speak safely, dial 999 and press 55 when prompted. This tells the police you need help.
If it is not an emergency, you can contact the police by calling 101.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is a single incident or pattern of controlling, manipulative or violent behaviour used to gain power and control over someone.
It can happen between partners, ex-partners or family members.
Abuse is not always physical. It can include:
- emotional abuse
- psychological abuse
- sexual abuse
- financial control
While domestic abuse has a gendered nature, with women being disproportionately affected, it is important to recognise that anyone can experience abuse, regardless of gender, age, race, religion or sexual orientation.
Men, children, and non-binary individuals can also be victims, though their experiences may often go unrecognised or under-reported.
Domestic abuse is never the fault of the victim or survivor, and support is available for those who need help.
How to report domestic abuse to us
If you’re worried you, or any L&Q resident, may be experiencing domestic abuse, we can help:
You can also speak to your Neighbourhood Housing Lead, call our customer service centre or get in touch by email.
How we can help
If you’re an L&Q resident experiencing domestic abuse, we can support you by:
- talking through your options
- helping make your home safer
- discussing housing options
- connecting you with specialist support services
Behaviour change support
If you’re worried about your own behaviour, Respect Phoneline is a confidential service for anyone committing acts of domestic abuse in the UK who wants help to make positive changes.
Call 0808 802 4040 or visit the Respect Phoneline website.
Translation and interpretation services
We can provide access to more than 100 languages and formats through our partner, Dals. This includes:
- telephone interpretation
- video and face-to-face interpretation (including British Sign Language (BSL))
- easy read conversion
- video relay services for BSL users
To use these services, just call our customer service centre and tell us your preferred language. We’ll connect you with the right support.
Our commitment
We are committed to improving how we support residents affected by domestic abuse.
We are working towards Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation.
Feedback helps us improve. If you want to share your experience – whether positive or negative - on the response you receive from us, please use our contact form.
Related content
National support services
These services are free and confidential:
- National Domestic Violence Helpline
Run by Women's Aid and Refuge, this service provides 24/7 support for people who are experiencing domestic abuse or are concerned about someone else.
Call 0808 200 0247.
- Rape Crisis
This service provides support to people that have experienced sexual abuse.
Call 0808 500 2222.
- Rights of Women
This service provides free legal advice for women.
Family law advice line – 020 7251 6577
Criminal law advice line – 020 7251 8887
Immigration and asylum law advice line – 020 7490 7689
Sexual harassment at work advice line – 020 7490 0152
- Men's Advice Line
This service provides support for men experiencing abuse.
Call 0808 801 0327.
- Shelter
This service provides housing advice, refuge information, and support for people facing homelessness because of domestic abuse. They also help victims and survivors find safe accommodation and access to emergency support from councils.
Call 0808 800 4444.
- Karma Nirvana
This service provides support to anyone experiencing honour-based abuse.
Call 0800 5999 247.
Local support services
Some services are run for specific regions across the UK:
- Women's Aid directory
This service provides information about local support for women and girls.
- ManKind directory
This service provides information about local support for men.
- Solace
This service provides support for women and children across London experiencing violence.
Call 0808 802 5565 or email Solace.
- Trafford Domestic Abuse Service
This service provides support to individuals and families living or working in the Trafford area who are suffering or who have suffered domestic abuse.
Call 0161 872 7368.
- Trafford Children's Social Care
This service provides a single point of contact to report concerns, request advice and share information about a child or family.
Call 0161 912 5125.
- Trafford Rape Crisis Helpline
This service provides support for women and girls who have experienced any form of rape, sexual violence or sexual abuse.
Call 0161 647 7559.
Call 0800 434 6484 for the Black and Minoritised women’s helpline.
Support for specific communities
Some services are run by and for specific communities:
- Galop
This service provides support for LGBT+ people experiencing sexual violence, domestic abuse or a hate crime.
Call 0800 999 5428 or email Galop.
- IKWRO
This service provides support for Middle Eastern, North African or Afghan women and girls.
Call 0207 920 6460 or email IKWRO.
- SignHealth
This service provides support for deaf people experiencing domestic abuse.
Text 07800 003421 or email SignHealth.
- Sistah Space
This service provides support for African and Caribbean heritage women affected by domestic abuse.
Call 0207 846 8350 or email Sistah Space.
- Southall Black Sisters
This service provides support, advice and counselling for Asian, African and Caribbean women and children.
Call 020 8571 0800.