Additional Resources for MS Healthcare Professionals

We have compiled the following list to help you. It includes national DVA specialist organisations and their helpline numbers.

To find out about local DVA specialist organisations in your surrounding area, please use the Women’s Aid Directory

Website: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Contact: - 0808 2000 247
Refuge (for women and children against domestic violence) has a 24-hour helpline for those experiencing domestic abuse and needing support.
They also have an online chat service for those unable to speak on the telephone.

Website: https://www.paladinservice.co.uk
Contact: - 0207 840 8960
The service has trained specialist ISAC (Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers) who work to ensure that high-risk victims and their families are kept safe.

Website: https://galop.org.uk/
Contact: - 0800 999 5428
Galop supports LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.
The helpline is open Monday to Thursday (9:30 am -8 pm) and Friday (9:30 am -4:30 pm).
Their online chat service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Website: https://www.childline.org.uk
Contact: - 0800 1111
Childline is a confidential service of counsellors helping anyone under the age of 19 in the UK with any issue they are experiencing.
The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
They also have an online chat service for those unable to speak on the telephone.

Website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage
Contact: - 020 7008 0151
The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) is a joint Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Home Office unit leading to the government’s forced marriage policy, outreach and casework.
The FMU helpline advises and supports victims and professionals dealing with cases.

Website: https://247sexualabusesupport.org.uk
Contact: – 0808 500 2222
Rape Crisis England and Wales are a feminist charity working to end child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence.
Their helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is a service for anyone over the age of 16 in England and Wales who has been affected by any form of sexual violence.

Website: https://www.rightsofwomen.org.uk
Contact: - 020 7251 6577
Rights of Women is an equalities organisation that addresses the inequalities women face in society.
Their helpline offers free and confidential legal advice to women to help them understand the law and their legal rights.
The National Family Law Advice Line is open at the following times:
- Tuesday 7 pm - 9 pm
- Wednesday 7 pm - 9 pm
- Thursday 7 pm – 9 pm
- Friday 12 pm – 2 pm

Website: https://respectphoneline.org.uk
Contact: - 0808 802 4040
Respect - offer confidential and honest advice to perpetrators of DVA and those supporting them.
Their helpline is open Monday to Friday between 10 am – 5 pm.
They also offer web chat support on Thursdays (2 pm – 4 pm).

Website: https://mensadviceline.org.uk
Contact: - 0808 801 0327
Respect provides a Men’s Advice Line to offer support to male victims of domestic abuse.
Their helpline is open Monday to Friday between 10 am – 5 pm.
They also offer webchat support on Wednesday (10 am – 11:30 am) and Thursday (2 pm – 4 pm).

Website: https://www.jwa.org.uk
Contact: - 0808 801 0500
Jewish Women’s Aid is the UK’s only specialist organisation dedicated to supporting Jewish women and children affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Their helpline is open Monday – Thursday (9:30 am to 9:30 pm).
They also offer a web chat that is open during the following hours:
- Monday 3 pm – 5 pm
- Tuesday 10 am – 12 pm
- Wednesday 3 pm – 5 pm
- Thursday 10 am – 12 pm

Website: https://aanchal.org.uk
Contact: - 08454 512 547
Their helpline is aimed towards Asian women experiencing domestic violence. The languages spoken on their helplines are Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil and Urdu.
The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Website: https://www.forwarduk.org.uk
Contact: - 020 8960 4000
FORWARD provides advice, one-to-one support and signposting to other services for women and girls affected by any form of violence. They provide guidance and support on domestic abuse, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and other harmful practices.
Their helpline offers emotional support and signposting to specialist services.
Their helpline is open Monday – Friday (9:30 am – 5:30 pm).

Website: https://survivingeconomicabuse.org
Contact: – 0808 196 8845
The Financial Support Line for victims of domestic abuse is run by Money Advice Plus (the frontline partner of Surviving Economic Abuse).
It offers specialist advice to anyone experiencing domestic abuse who is in financial difficulty.
The helpline is open Monday – Friday (9 am- 1 pm and 2 pm -5 pm). An interpretation service is available on request.

Website: https://chat.womensaid.org.uk/
The Women’s Aid online chat service provides confidential support for those experiencing issues surrounding unhealthy relationships through fully-trained female support workers.
Their online chat is open Monday through Friday (8 am—6 pm) and weekends (10 am—6 pm).

Website: womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors- handbook
As referenced in the ‘Managing Disclosures' section of the policy above, Women's Aid has published a ‘Survivors Handbook' providing practical support and information for women experiencing domestic abuse.
The handbook is available in print and audio versions and in different languages.

Website: https://signhealth.org.uk
Contact: - 078 0000 3421 (this is an SMS text-only service).
SignHealth is a Deaf-led team aiming to reduce the barriers towards good health and wellbeing for Deaf people.