Domestic abuse

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religious belief, sexuality or background. It causes significant harm to individuals, children, families, and communities.

Domestic abuse does not only occur between couples within an intimate relationship, but it can also be between a parent and a child or an ex-partner or other family members. It can go unidentified by agencies, families and friends, and even victim/survivors themselves often don't recognise the behaviour they are experiencing is domestic abuse. It is often hidden, and mainly occurs behind closed doors. Domestic abuse is not just physical violence, it can be emotional, psychological, economic or sexual abuse. Overarching the types of abusive behaviours is often coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence).

Domestic abuse is unacceptable in any situation.

Help, advice and support for those who are experiencing domestic abuse or have experienced domestic abuse

Help and advice is available across Lancashire, please see the information below for helplines, Live Chat, refuge and safehouse accommodation. The following providers also offer a range of community-based services such as practical and emotional support for adults, children and young people through outreach and group work.

Multilingual helpline from the Emily Davison Centre

A free multilingual and confidential helpline for victims of domestic abuse in Lancashire is now available on 0330 1 34 34 34. 

Hosted by the Emily Davison Centre, calls are answered by staff who are specially trained in helping victims of domestic abuse.

The helpline staff speak several languages including:

  • Urdu
  • Punjabi
  • Gujarati
  • Greek
  • English
  • Polish
  • Russian
  • Ukrainian

The helpline, known as 'Safe for A.L.L' (Safe for Anyone Living in Lancashire) is available Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm.

Calls made outside these hours will be responded to as soon as possible.

Anyone calling the Helpline should be aware that the call will show up in call history on a mobile phone. People who do not feel safe are advised to delete the call log after the call. For further information see the Emily Davison Centre website.

Other Lancashire wide support

Lancashire Refuges offer a wide level of immediate support in safe accommodation to victims of domestic abuse with a single point of access to accept referrals from across Lancashire.  

Lancashire Victims Services Tel: 0300 323 0085  (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) Email: info@lancashirevictimservices.org - Live chat.

Burnley

Safenet 0300 3033581 - live chat – and you can email: contact@safenet.org.uk.

Pendle and Rossendale

Be Free Helpline 01282 726000 (Be Free; formerly known as Pendle Domestic Violence Initiative) Live chat (see link at the bottom of the page). You can also contact them via email: befree@p-a-c.org.uk

Hyndburn and Ribble Valley

HARV 01254 879855 – or email: info@harvoutreach.org.uk 

Blackburn with Darwen

The Wish Centre – 01254 260465 or email: info@thewishcentre.org.

Lancaster

Safenet 0300 3033581 - Live Chat – and you can email: contact@safenet.org.uk.

Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre

Fylde Coast Women's Aid - Call FCWA helpline 01253 596699, email info@fcwa.co.uk or visit Fylde Coast Women's Aid website . FCWA have a male IDVA to specifically support male victims of domestic abuse. 

Preston

Safenet 0300 3033581 - Live Chat – visit the Safenet homepage and you can email: contact@safenet.org.uk .

Preston Domestic Violence Services: Helpline 01772 201601 or visit visit Preston Domestic Violence Services or email hope@pdvs.org.uk

Chorley & South Ribble

Key Charity - Domestic abuse helpline to speak to an advisor in confidence call 01772 435865, the line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

West Lancashire

The Liberty Centre-  01695 50 600 emails: liberty@thelibertycentre.org.uk  or visit visit The Liberty Centre. The Liberty Centre have a male IDVA to specifically support male victims of domestic abuse.

Support for young people in Lancashire

All the above services can offer help and advice to young people.

Visit our Youth Zone website for Helpline and 1:1 support.

National helplines and support including support for LGBT+ and male victims of domestic abuse

Help, advice and support for those who are concerned about their own behaviour or that of others

The Wish Centre run various behaviour change programmes to support individuals across Lancashire to consider the impact of their behaviour on their loved ones to enable positive change, all in a non-judgemental way. Contact The Wish Centre on 01254 260465 or visit.