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Recognise domestic abuse
Are you feeling afraid of your partner or a family member? You might be experiencing domestic abuse if they:
- call you names or make you feel bad about yourself
- threaten you, your children, or make you feel afraid
- behave violently towards you
- stop you seeing your friends or family
- control your money or leave you without any
- make you feel you could be seriously harmed
See more on how to recognise domestic abuse in a relationship on GOV.UK.
Remember
You are not to blame. You are not alone. Help is available.
You cannot change the person who is hurting you, but you can take steps to make yourself and your children safer.
Get help and support
Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit
The Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit provides help and advice to anyone affected by domestic abuse. You can contact them if you:
- need support for yourself
- are worried about someone else and want advice
- need refuge accommodation
- are a professional making a referral or looking for information
- are worried about your own behaviour and want help to change
How to contact the Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit
You can contact the team by:
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Call 0808 2000 247 for free, confidential support 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can also use live chat or British Sign Language (BSL) on the National Domestic Abuse Helpline website.
Other contacts
Adult Safeguarding
Phone: 0300 123 5010 (office hours) or 0300 123 5022 (out of hours)
For more information, see: Concerned about an adult.
Children’s Safeguarding
Phone: 0300 123 5012 (office hours) or 0300 123 5022 (out of hours)
For more information, see: Concerned about a child.
Housing options / homelessness team
Phone: 0300 123 5017 (office hours) or 0300 123 5025 (out of hours)
For more information, see: Housing advice.
National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV)
Phone: 0800 970 2070, or visit National Centre for Domestic Violence for help with injunctions.
Domestic Violence Assist
Phone: 0800 195 8699, or visit Domestic Violence Assist for help with Non-Molestation Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Occupation Orders.
Police
Phone: 101 (non-urgent)
Phone: 999 if you are in immediate danger.
Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre
Phone: 0300 363 0063 (office hours) or visit Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre.
Samaritans
Phone: 116 123 or visit Contact a Samaritan.
Safe accommodation
We will do everything we can to help you stay safe, either by supporting you in your own home or helping you move to alternative accommodation. However, in some situations, a refuge may be the best option.
A refuge is a safe place for adults and children escaping domestic abuse. You can stay there with or without children while you decide what to do next.
Some people stay for a few days to give themselves time and space, while others use a refuge as a step towards leaving an abusive situation permanently.
We will talk through your options and help you decide what is right for you.
Page last reviewed: 19 March 2026
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