Wednesday 10th December: NHS Domestic Abuse Awareness Day

Posted by: stephaniew - Posted on:

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Domestic abuse can affect anyone – regardless of age, gender, sexuality, background or income. It includes any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading or violent behaviour by a partner, ex‑partner, family member or carer.

This can be:

  • Physical (hitting, pushing, restraining)
  • Emotional or psychological (threats, humiliation, intimidation, controlling what you do or who you see)
  • Sexual abuse
  • Financial abuse (controlling your money, debts in your name)
  • Digital or online abuse (monitoring your phone, messages, social media)
  • Honour‑based abuse, forced marriage or so‑called “honour” violence.

You do not have to wait until an emergency or until things get worse before asking for help.

How we can help

We recognise that it can be very hard to talk about abuse. If you feel able to, you can tell any member of our team – GP, nurse or receptionist – that you are not safe at home or that you are worried about someone else.

Where possible we can:

  • Offer a safe, confidential space to talk.
  • Help you access specialist support services .
  • Record information in your notes in a sensitive way, where appropriate.
  • Consider your safety when arranging appointments or contacting you (for example, avoiding certain phone numbers or times if you tell us it is not safe).

If you are in immediate danger, we may need to contact emergency services to keep you safe.

Visit our Domestic Abuse information page

If you are in immediate danger

  • Call 999.
  • If you cannot speak, you can use the Silent Solution : call 999, then press 55 when prompted. The operator will transfer the call to the police.

Support is available:

Locally:

Leeds Domestic Violence Service

Supporting all people in Leeds affected by domestic violence and abuse. They work with people of all genders, including women, men and non-binary people.

Behind Closed Doors

Support for everyone in Leeds who is affected by domestic abuse, and act to prevent it. They are partnered with LDVS to work with the community. They also run an information and support programme to help people in Leeds recover from abusive relationships and look at ways to prevent future risk.

Karma Nirvana

A Leeds based, national charity who support those affected by Honour based abuse & forced marriage.

Telephone (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm): 0800 599 9247

Website: https://karmanirvana.org.uk/

Nationally:

Men’s Advice Line

Men’s advice line aims to increase the safety of men including those who identify as trans, who are experiencing domestic abuse (and the safety of any children) by providing confidential support.

GALOP (LGBT+)

Support for LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence, including domestic abuse.

The helpline is open: Monday & Tuesday – 9:15am to 8pm, Wednesday to Friday – 9:15am to 4:30pm.
Closed on weekends. The helpline will close for 1 hour each day at 1pm and open again at 2pm.