We have services available across Lancashire. Get Support
Exit Site

Someone I know needs help

If you know someone is experiencing abuse, whether it's a friend, a family member, a colleague or a neighbour, reach out to them. It may be the first time they have been supported or felt safe to share they are experiencing domestic abuse.

Someone I know needs help

If you are worried someone is experiencing abuse, there are some things you can do to support them. From creating a safe space to talk, keeping emergency bags of items for them and being a good listener, we've listed some ways to provide support below.

Offer emotional support. Listen, show you care and believe experiences without judgement. Try and understand what you are being told, do not blame the victim-survivor or make excuses for the abuser. It could be that you also know the abuser and have not seen them behave in an abusive way. This is often the case that abusers have a different public persona and are abusive in private. 
Let the victim-survivor know that they are not alone, many other people have similar experiences. Let them known that you are there for them, that abuse is NEVER their fault. No matter what the abuser has told them there is no excuse for abuse.
Acknowledge that it is very brave and takes strength to talk about what they have experienced. Go at their pace and do not press for any details. You can support someone by knowing they have been abused and experienced trauma, you do not need to know the details. It can be very traumatic for victim-survivors to talk about their experiences.
Consider their immediate safety and the safety of any children. Do they need immediate support to leave? Share that there is help and support available from specialist services. You could help them to reach out when they are ready and that specialist services can support with a plan of the safest way to leave. 
If the victim-survivor needs medical attention due to physical harm, you can help to arrange emergency or planned medical attention. Offer to support them to attend any health appointments.
Support them to make their own choices and decisions.  If they are not ready to leave the relationship, do not pressure them or call the police. 
Be a good listener and friend so that they have a safe space to talk about their feelings.
Remember they are the ones in the abusive situation and will be managing their safety daily. Try not to presume that you know what the best course of action is. Don't inform others without the consent of the victim-survivor, unless you believe there is a risk of significant harm or death.
Offer to safely hold an emergency bag of items (documents and personal items) and allow use of your phone number and address to be used for discreet communication in an emergency.
Do not put yourself in danger when supporting someone experiencing abuse.  Never confront a perpetrator of abuse as this could put yourself and the person you care about at risk.
Look after your emotional wellbeing and be aware of your own safety when supporting someone experiencing abuse. 
If they do not want to open up to you at first, let them know you are there whenever they are ready.  You could be the only person who they have reached out to, so make sure to be patient and open. 

Ways to contact DASSL domestic abuse services


call icon - for immediate support

Call 0300 3033 581 for free

For immediate support, call us now. We're available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

call icon - for immediate support

contact@dassl.org.uk

Please note that this email is operated 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and outside these times you may not receive an immediate response.

call icon - for immediate support

Live Chat

You can access our live chat service every day during three dedicated timeslots: 10am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm and 8pm – 10pm, access from our home page

call icon - for immediate support

Languages

If you need help in another language, we have a multi-lingual staff team with many languages or we can arrange for an interrupter. You can also access the Women’s Aid Survivors Handbook , which is available in various languages.


If you feel at immediate risk please ring 999

Find the support you need in your local area

Click on your local area or type in the name of your town to find the nearest support available to you.