Domestic abuse is a crime. Always call 999 in an emergency. If you are unable to talk, stay on the line and press 55 when prompted. Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 for help and support.
If you are worried about remaining anonymous you can report domestic abuse via crime stoppers.
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Domestic abuse is not just physical violence. It is any type of abuse from someone you have (or have had) a relationship with, including: financial, emotional, sexual or psychological abuse.
Abusive behaviour includes acting in a controlling, coercive or threatening manner. Typical actions might include demanding you keep the house in a specific way, taking your money, stopping you seeing your friends and family, or threatening your children or pets.
Not all victims of domestic abuse are women, and not all perpetrators are men. Approximately one in 4 women and one in 6 men are likely to suffer from domestic abuse at some point in their lives. Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth or location. Some people can also be affected indirectly by domestic abuse, for example, children and young people who live in the same house can be can be impacted by what they see or hear.
For more information please read:
- the Home Office's guidance on domestic violence and abuse
- Disrespect Nobody’s guidance on spotting the signs of relationship abuse
- refuge’s advice about planning to leave home
- Women's aid rail to refuge for those fleeing domestic abuse
- our policy for supporting residents experiencing domestic abuse [PDF, 0.2MB]
Housing Advice Service
Our Housing Advice Service can help if you are living with domestic abuse.
We can help you prepare to leave and find a refuge, or we can help you secure your home, so you can stay there safely.
We can advise on tenancy issues including:
- occupation orders
- joint tenancies
- homelessness
We can put you in touch with other organisations that provide support and legal advice. You can also speak to a housing advice officer of a specific gender due to abuse you may be facing, please request this and we will try to accommodate your needs. For advice and guidance from one of our advisers call us on 01954 713 000 or email housingadvice@scambs.gov.uk. For out of hours emergency support fleeing domestic abuse call us on 01253 501 117.
Helplines and Support
You can contact the helplines below for further support:
Call the police on 101 (if it is not an emergency) or 999 in an emergency, if your personal safety is threatened.
- National Domestic Violence Helpline - Provide support for victims of domestic abuse.
- Call: 0808 2000 247
- Cambridge Women's Aid - Provides an outreach service for women living in any kind of tenure, who are experiencing domestic abuse in Cambridge City or South Cambridgeshire.
- Call: 01223 361 214 (Emergency out of hours 07730 322 098)
- Cambridge Women’s Aid website
- Men's Advice Line - support for men experiencing domestic abuse.
- LGBT+ Domestic Violence Helpline - support if you are in an LGBTQ+ relationship.
- Respect - if you are concerned because you think you might be hurting someone or demonstrating abusive behaviour.
- Call: 0808 802 4040
- Respect website
- Hourglass - support for elderly people experiencing domestic abuse
- Parental Education Growth Support - Support for parents experiencing abusive behaviour from children
- Cambridgeshire Constabulary - advice about domestic abuse including explaining what domestic abuse can be, how to report it, and details of organisations who can help. Visit the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website.
Safe Spaces
Pharmacies, including Boots and Superdrug, are offering their consulting rooms as Safe Spaces near you for victims of domestic violence. Walk into any of the pharmacies taking part and ask to use their Safe Space. The room will contain all of the information you need, and provide a sanctuary to make relevant calls.
Visitors to our office in Cambourne (South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge CB23 6EA) can come in and ask to use the safe space where they will be provided with the relevant support and assistance.
Use the above button if you need to leave this page quickly.
Please note that this will not clear your browsing history. This button will take you to BBC weather and away from this website. There are a number of things you can do to hide your internet use – read Women’s Aid’s advice on how to cover your tracks online. It is always safer to use someone else’s devices, such as at a library, at work or using a friend or relative's device.
Other useful information
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) Partnership maintains a domestic violence directory. It contains contact details of organisations that can help you or someone you know who is being affected by domestic violence.
Legal advice is available from:
If you are worried about fleeing because of leaving pets Dogs Trust ‘Freedom Project’ and Cats Protection ‘Lifeline’ service will foster dogs and cats until a domestic abuse victim/survivor can take them back.
The following websites provide information, advice and support to people affected by domestic violence:
- Age UK Advice Line
- B United | Supporting male victims of domestic abuse in Cambridgeshire
- Cambridge Rape Crisis
- Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) Partnership
- Domestic Abuse and Support Service (DASS)
- The Elms Sexual Assault Referral Centre
- Family Lives - Teen Violence at home
- Female Genital Mutilation (Cambs & P'boro Safeguarding Children Board)
- Independent Domestic Violence Advisory (IDVA) Service
- Karma Nirvana - victims of honour crimes and forced marriage
- National Forced Marriage Unit
- National Stalking Helpline
- Refuge - Support for women
- Trafficking