To read more about keeping safe online, please go to Cover your tracks online - Women’s Aid.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic abuse please read this booklet which aims to give advice and support.
The following local services offer advice and support:
- Victim Support: Call 0808 168 9276 or email kent.da@victimsupport.cjsm.net. Opening times 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
- Homestart Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop: Call 01303 244836 or email hello@homestartshepway.org.uk. Opening times 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
- Rising Sun Domestic Violence & Abuse Service: Call 01227 452852 or email referrals@risingsunkent.com. Opening times 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
- Clarion Domestic Abuse Support Line: Call 07376 637069 or email centrakent@centragroup.org.uk. Opening times 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
- Oasis Domestic Abuse Service: Call 0800 917 9948 or email helpline@oasisdaservice.org. Opening times 9.30am to 11.30am Monday to Friday plus 12.30pm to 2.30pm Monday to Wednesday
- Referrals for refuge are made via the National Domestic Violence Helpline: Call 0808 200 0247 or chat online at nationaldahelpline.org.uk/chat-to-us-online. 24 hour support
- Men’s Advice Line for male survivors of domestic abuse: Call 0808 801 0327 or email info@mensadviceline.org.uk. Opening times 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday
- Galop national LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline: Call 0800 999 5428 or email help@galop.org.uk. Opening times 9.15am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs)
We continue to support this service by providing a significant amount of funding to enable an IDVA to cover the district.
Their main purpose is to address the safety of survivors at high risk of harm from intimate partners, ex-partners or family members to secure their safety and the safety of their children.
Serving as a survivor's primary point of contact, IDVAs normally work with their clients from the point of crisis to assess the level of risk, discuss the range of suitable options and develop safety plans.
The One Stop Shop
The ultimate purpose of the One Stop Shop is to provide accessible support for anyone affected by domestic violence, with professionals from different organisations on hand to offer advice and guidance to those in attendance.
On arrival, service users will be greeted and triaged, to take brief details of what help and advice is required to be able to take them to the relevant representative. In cases where the service user may require advice from more than one organisation, we will try to sit together to offer the relevant advice as a group preventing information having to be repeated from table to table.
It may not be possible to offer immediate solutions but the face-to-face contact is imperative when it comes to such a sensitive subject. Further contact is discussed and agreed and if necessary, direct contact details are handed out.
More information and support
Homestart Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop
Rising Sun Domestic Violence & Abuse Service
Women’s Aid - The Survivor’s Handbook
Refuge - Signs of domestic abuse
GOV.UK Report domestic abuse page
Kent & Medway Domestic Abuse Strategy 2024-2029
Domestic abuse support services in Kent & Medway
National Domestic Violence Helpline
Suzy Lamplugh Trust - advice on stalking and harassment
Men’s Advice Line for male survivors of domestic abuse
Galop - national LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline
Hestia Bright Sky app - support and information for anyone in an abusive relationship
Chayn – help and resources to identify manipulative situations