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Domestic abuse is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse, (whether that’s physical, psychological, coercive control, sexual, financial or emotional) between intimate partners or family members over the age of 16, regardless of gender or sexuality. 

Domestic abuse is more widespread than many people realise – it impacts people from all walks of life, no matter their age, income, ethnicity, ability or lifestyle. 

Domestic abuse can impact the affected individual’s ability to live freely and without fear. It can affect the affected individual's housing, health, and education.

As a council, we can support you with options to flee your home if you are living in an abusive relationship and wish to leave. 

You can contact our housing options team by emailing homelessness@winchester.gov.uk or by calling 01962 848163 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays. 

If you or someone you know needs homelessness support outside of office hours, call 01962 865407.

How we can support

We can support you with options to flee your home, consider a long-term plan or help you remain safe in your own home.

We can also advise you on housing options if you have previously experienced domestic abuse.

If there is an emergency, you can visit the Customer Service Centre at the City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ from Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.

If you're a Winchester City Council tenant, you can also talk to your housing officer about additional support and protective factors to allow you to remain in your home. 

There is a range of advice and support available for those experiencing domestic abuse, as well as perpetrators and others involved in domestic abuse situations. 

Hampshire Domestic Abuse Service 

An advice line run by Stop Domestic Abuse and the Hampton Trust provides information, advice, assessment and triage for affected individuals, their children, perpetrators and professionals.

You can find more information on the Stop Domestic Abuse webpage, call their helpline on 0330 0165112, or email them at advice@stopdomesticabuse.uk.

National Centre for Domestic Violence 

The National Centre for Domestic Violence can provide you with free help to obtain an emergency injunction. 

You can phone them on 0800 970 2070 (press option 1), text NCVD to 60777, or email office@ncdv.org.uk

National Domestic Abuse Helpline 

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is a 24-hour national helpline that can support anyone experiencing domestic abuse. Call 0808 2000 247 

The National Domestic Abuse website, operated by Refuge, has lots of resources for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or anyone who is supporting a survivor. 

Bright Sky app

Bright Sky is a mobile app and website for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else.

The app can be downloaded for free from the app stores. Only download the app if it is safe for you to do so and if you are sure that your phone isn’t being monitored.

Support for those concerned about their behaviour

Those concerned about their own behaviour can get advice from the Respect helpline: 0808 8024040.

National victim support 

Victim Support is a national charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents. For free, confidential support, phone: 0808 1689111 

Support for those experiencing sexual abuse or sexual assault

START is a sexual trauma service operating across Central, West and North Hampshire. Anyone who has experienced sexual abuse and/or sexual assault resulting in sexual trauma can contact START for confidential, specialist counselling and support.

To access the service, you can call 01962 807037 between 9.30am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday or message their anonymous text service on 07860027793. 

Support with remaining in your own home 

You Trust provides advice and practical measures to enable people to remain in their own homes, where it is safe to do so, through the provision of additional safety measures. 

You Trust's Sanctuary Scheme can provide those experiencing domestic abuse with additional security to enable them to stay in their own homes. 

You can contact You Trust by calling 0800 9169878 or emailing spoc@theyoutrust.org.uk 

Requesting information under Clare's Law

Under Clare's Law you can apply for information about your current or ex-partner if you're worried they may have a history of abuse and are a risk to you, or request information about the current or ex-partner of a friend or relative because you're worried they might be at risk. 

To apply for information under Clare's Law, visit the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary website.

Support for those experiencing honour-based violence or forced marriage

Karma Nirvana provides advice and support for those who have experienced of honour-based violence and forced marriage. Their helpline is 0800 5999 247.

Support for men 

The Respect: Men's Advice Line provides support to men experiencing domestic abuse. You can call their helpline between 5pm - 8pm Monday to Friday on 0808 801 0327. 

Support for members of trans and non-binary communities

Loving Me is a UK service that provides one-to-one support and advocacy for members of the trans and non-binary communities who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual violence. You can call them on 07902 478 958 or email them via help@lovingme.uk.

Support for disabled people

Stay Safe East is run by, and for, disabled people to provide advocacy and support services to survivors of domestic abuse and other violent crimes. You can call or text them on 07865 340 122 or contact them by emailing enquiries@staysafe-east.org.uk.

Support for older people

Hourglass works to end the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people. You can contact Hourglass by calling their 24/7 helpline (0808 808 141) or by text (07860 052 906)

Support for black and minoritized women

Southall Black Sisters are a great 'by and for' service for black and minoritized women who are victims of all violence against women and girls. You can contact them on 020 8571 0800, or by emailing info@southallblacksisters.co.uk. 

Support for the LGBT+ community 

The National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline provides emotional and practical support for LGBT+ people. You can call them on 0800 999 5428. 

Trinity Winchester hosts the nationally accredited and recognised Freedom programme, which aims to help women make sense of their experiences with domestic abuse through one-to-one counselling and support groups, as well as women-only learning classes to support women to gain skills and re-enter the workplace all within a calm and safe setting. 

If you would like to find out more information or refer somebody to them, you can call them on 01962 842827 or email women@trinitywinchester.org.uk.

The Freedom Programme has changed my life. I arrived in darkness and finished the last program with a completely different outlook. I feel positive about my future. I have made wonderful new friends. And most importantly I have learnt that I am not responsible. - Anonymous feedback

for women who have experienced, or are experiencing domestic abuse, weekly one to one counselling sessions, support groups as well as women-only learning classes to support women to gain skills and re-enter the workplace all within a calm and safe setting.

Support for members of the Nepali community 

Members of the Nepali community affected by domestic abuse who need additional support due to language and/or cultural barriers can contact support by calling 01252 333618. 

Support for sign-language users

SignHealth, a charity that focuses on improving health and wellbeing for deaf people, has a dedicated sign-language-based domestic abuse service. You can text them on 07800 003 421, email da@signhealth.org.uk, or fill out referal form on the SignHealth contact page.

Advice in other languages

Individuals experiencing domestic abuse where English is not their main language can access translated advice and guidance for seeking support with domestic abuse via the central government domestic abuse web page.

Accessing information on this web page in a different language or format

If you need information on this website in a different format please contact us by calling 01962 840 222, emailing communications@winchester.gov.uk, or writing to us at Winchester City Council, City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9LJ.

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More information about accessibility can be found in our Accessibility Statement.

As a council, we are in a unique position to support those who are experiencing domestic abuse. We're currently working to improve our services so that those working at the council can better recognise and respond to domestic abuse situations, by embedding a set of standards set by the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA).

The standards will improve our housing service, as well as other services across the organisation, to help us better support those affected by domestic abuse. By becoming DAHA accredited, we're working to end domestic abuse and ensure that those who experience it receive safe and effective support.