To read more about keeping safe online, please go to Cover your tracks online - Women’s Aid.
If you are in immediate danger
If you're in danger and unable to talk on the phone, dial 999, listen to the operator’s questions and respond by coughing or tapping the handset. Then follow the instructions depending on whether you are calling from a mobile or a landline.
If you are calling 999 from a mobile, if prompted press 55 to Make Yourself Heard. This will transfer your call to the police and does not allow them to track your location.
If you are calling 999 from a landline, if only background noise can be heard and BT operators cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, you will be connected to a police call handler. If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick up again. When 999 calls are made from landlines, your location should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.
You'll be able to conduct your whole call in silence if needed.
If you need to seek refuge
If you are female and need to seek refuge, you can telephone the National Domestic Abuse helpline and the national database will be searched to find a space at a woman's refuge for you.
Telephone: 0808 200 0247 - open 24 hours.
If you are male, then you can telephone the Respect men's advice line for specialist support. This is an outreach and independent advocacy service for male survivors of domestic abuse across the country.
Telephone: 0808 801 0327
Support for trans and non-binary survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence is available through Loving Me – Domestic Abuse Help Service.
Telephone: 07902 478958 – Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.
If you are at risk of harm and don’t want to leave your home
There are alternatives you can explore such as the Sanctuary Access For Eligible Residents (SAFER) scheme.
This scheme is run by Kent County Council (KCC) and allows any professional working with a survivor of domestic abuse to refer them to KCC to obtain property security advice and to arrange security measures to be installed in their home. The scheme is open to all residents. This allows survivors to remain in their own homes if it is safe and if they choose to do so.
As a social housing landlord, the Council has signed up as a partner to the scheme which means that referrers, and survivors living in a council property, do not need to request the Council’s consent for the installation of security measures in their home. However, survivors are encouraged to notify the Council of the works carried out to their home once completed.
If you are at risk of harm and need to leave your home
If you think you need to leave your home, you can try to arrange temporary housing with family or friends, or refuge. Try to seek advice from us – not everyone leaving home due to violence will be entitled to temporary accommodation through the Council, so it’s important that you know the options available.
Take some essentials with you such as a change of clothes, toiletries, and any medication that you regularly need. Try to bring important items such as your passport, bank and credit cards and mobile phone if it is safe to do so.
Don’t make a decision to give up your home permanently until you have spoken to us, and have considered all of your options.
In order to make a homeless application, please complete the form found here Help with homelessness – Are you at risk of becoming homeless in Kent?
You can also read our Housing Domestic Abuse Policy.