Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) is the largest specialist domestic abuse service in Yorkshire.
IDAS support anyone affected by domestic abuse, providing lifesaving support including refuge accommodation, outreach services and a helpline.
For many people who are afraid of their partner and may be faced with being isolated with them for long periods of time, this is an additional risk factor.
IDAS offer some safety planning advice on their website. In addition, you could consider the following:
✅ Get a spare phone and store emergency contact numbers in it and hide it in a safe place or with a trusted person
✅ Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution for calling the Police in an emergency when you can not speak
✅ Keep your ID documents, emergency funds, bank cards and children’s birth certificates to hand
✅ Speak to your neighbours and ask them to ring the police if they hear or see anything
✅ Set up safe words or signs with friends so they know to call for help on your behalf
✅ Plan to check in with people regularly so that they can raise the alarm if they don’t hear from you
✅ Plan to escape to the garden or to a room that you can exit from easily if abusive behaviour escalates
✅ Avoid rooms where there could be weapons if the abusive behaviour escalates
Familiarise yourself with The Silent Solution system. This is a system for victims of domestic abuse who might be afraid of further danger and escalation of harm if they are overheard when calling 999 in an emergency.
When somebody calls 999, an operator will ask which emergency service is required. If you are not able to ask for help, your call will be forwarded to a police system and you will hear an automated message.
If 55 is pressed by the caller, the system will detect this. The operator will then transfer the call to the relevant police force as an emergency. Click here to find out more.
Women’s Aid is a national organisation that also provides support. The Women’s Aid website has links to Live Chat, information, support services and details of helplines can be found below and on the Women’s Aid website.
✅ The Survivors’ Forum is an online resource for survivors of domestic abuse. The Survivors’ forum can be accessed 24/7. This is a place where survivors can support each other and share their experiences.
✅ Women’s Aid Live Chat is currently available Monday to Friday 10- 12pm. This could be a safer way to access some support; particularly if an abuser might also be in the property so it would be unsafe to make a telephone call.
✅ Women’s Aid Email Service can also provide support.
✅ Detailed information about national and local support services Women’s Aid offer can be found here on their website.
✅ For details of helplines, go to Gov.uk/report-domestic-abuse
✅ Women’s Aid always want to encourage a survivor to be as safe as possible when accessing any form of support. It will be really important to familiarise yourself with information and guidance that will help to keep you as safe as possible when using online platforms.
✅ Looking after children can be particularly difficult challenging when isolating. Family lives have support available including online forums
IDAS provides the following advice for friends, neighbours or family members concerned about someone they know:
More help and information can be found on the IDAS website, or you can call them on 03000 110 110 or use the Live Chat service 3pm-6pm Monday to Friday.
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