What to do if…Domestic Violence
If you are a parent/carer experiencing domestic violence you may have many concerns over your children, including being:
- Worried that you will be prevented from taking your children with you if you leave a violent relationship
- Worried over contact your children may have with the abuser
- Worried that you need financial or practical support to look after your children
- Worried that your children have been traumatised by domestic violence and want extra support for them.
- Worried that your children may be abducted.
If you are affected by domestic violence, you are not alone. You can talk over these concerns, confidentially, with a number of specialist, sensitive services. Services such as Birmingham Women’s Aid will listen to you, support you and give you time and space to decide what you want to do. They won’t judge you because of what you say or force you to make a decision you do not want to make.
It is important to remember that the abuse you have experienced, and your children have been exposed to, is not your fault.
Listed below are some of the organisations that can support you:
Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid (BSWA)
BSWA offers a range of services including advice, information, temporary accommodation and a counselling support service to women and children affected by domestic abuse.
The telephone helpline offers a listening ear, emotional support and practical information on BSWA services and other agencies.
If a woman decides that she no longer feels safe to remain in her home, Women’s Aid can arrange for her and her children, to move to a refuge. They have refuge accommodation in Birmingham and Solihull which is accessible 24 hours a day. Refuge space can also be found elsewhere in the country if this is what a woman chooses
Helpline/ Refuge: FREEPHONE 0808 800 0028
Minicom: 0121 685 8519
Birmingham Crisis Centre
Birmingham Crisis Centre is an independent charity offering refuge to 23 women and their children fleeing abusive relationships. Trained Staff are available 24 hours a day and can be contacted through our helpline on 0121 507 0707.
Families each have access to a fully furnished bedsit with its own kitchen and bathroom . The refuge has communal facilities namely a residents lounge, laundry, children’s play area and an ‘outstanding’ nursery provision. We provide professional counselling Support and facilitate a rolling Freedom Programme in addition to providing tailored housing related support.
Our motto is “Return to Happiness””
Please let me know when the website has been updated as we are the only refuge in Birmingham that provides a 1 24 hour helpline and this should be readily publicised.
Birmingham Women’s Advice & Information Centre (BWAIC)
Free counselling, information and support and self help groups for women.
Tel: 0121 212 1881
Ashram Reducing Domestic Violence Project
RDVP is a specialised, but not specific, service for South Asian women living with or fleeing domestic abuse Provides comprehensive support, advocacy, information and advice to empower women to live more independently.
Ashram also runs a new counselling service for children and young people
Tel: 0121 764 3817
WAITS (Women Acting in Today’s Society)
Support, advocacy & befriending for all women who have experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives. There is a particular focus on black and minority ethnic women.
Tel: 0121-440 1443
National Domestic Violence Helpline 24 hour freephone
Tel: 0808 2000 247
If you are a male victim of domestic violence, contact:
Victim Support Men’s Helpline
Tel: 0800 328 3623
Services available: Helpline for male victims of sexual and domestic abuse. Provides an opportunity to talk in confidence and anonymously
M.A.L.E: Mens Advice Line & Enquiries
Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic violence whether in straight, gay, bi sexual or transgender relationship
Tel: 0808 801 0327