Domestic Abuse - Who Can Help?
Dorset Police treats all reports of domestic abuse seriously:
- If abuse is in progress and you believe that you or another are in immediate danger, or it’s an emergency, call 999.
- Otherwise in a non-emergency report online here or call 101.
More support services
Full information on the services for victims of Domestic abuse across Dorset can be found at the Dorset County Council website
BCHA - Bournemouth's Domestic Abuse Service can be called on 01202 547755
Outreach Services (24 hours)
Outreach workers can support you wherever you are. Outreach workers can talk to you on the phone or meet you on a one to one basis. They also run drop-ins across Dorset where you can meet other people in similar situations and receive on-going support.
- Bournemouth Outreach - 01202 547641
- Poole Outreach - 01202 710777
- Dorset County You First - 0800 032 5204
Refuge Accommodation (24 Hours)
- Poole (can also accommodate men) - 01202 748488
- Dorset County, North Dorset & West Dorset. These are part of the You First countywide integrated domestic abuse service and can be contacted via the single point of contact team on 0800 032 5204.
For support with housing options or advice on how to stay safely in your own home contact your local authority housing department or housing advice centre.
- Christchurch & East Dorset - 01202 495256
- North Dorset - 01258 454111
- Purbeck - 01929 557370
- Weymouth & Portland - 01305 838400
- West Dorset - 01305 251010
- Poole - 01202 633633
- Bournemouth - 01202 451467
- The Shores - Dorset SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) - 0845 519 8638
- Dorset Rape Crisis Support Centre - 01202 308855
- Over the Rainbow (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender support) - 01202 257 478
- Victim Support - South West Victim Care Unit - 0300 3030 163.
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24 hours) - 0808 2000 247
- The National Centre for Domestic Violence (24 hours) - 0800 970 2070
- Women's Aid - 0808 2000 247
- National Samaritans - 08457 90 90 90
- Shelter - 0808 8004 444
- Elder Abuse - 080 8808 8141
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Galop - DV advice for Lesbian, Gay, Bi Sexual and Transgender - 0800 999 5428 or email - help@galop.org.uk
- The ManKind Initiative - 01823 334 244
- Men's Advice Line - 0808 801 0327
Visit www.childline.org.uk for support and advice or call 0800 1111.
Relationships can be tricky and scary. But remember love doesn't hurt. Visit www.safedate.org.uk for facts, support and guidance about healthy relationships.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse within your own relationship or if domestic abuse is taking place in your home (perhaps between parents or siblings), speak to a teacher or someone you can trust.
You can also call Dorset Police on 101 (999 in an emergency), or seek support from local organisations – details at www.dorsetforyou.com/dvahelp.
NSPCC - 0808 8005000 or text 88858
Respect National Helpline (for perpetrators) - 0808 802 4040
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) gives members of the public a formal mechanism to make enquiries about an individual who they are in a relationship with, or who is in a relationship with someone they know, where there is a concern that the individual may be violent towards their partner.
Members of the public can make an application for a disclosure, known as the ‘right to ask’.