#NoExcuseForAbuse
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and the increased reports of abuse to helplines across the country, the No Excuse For Abuse initiative has begun with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.
Supported by Warwickshire County Council and National charities, there is a wealth of information for anyone to access.
Please see the resources below or contact the Schools Designated Safeguarding Lead, Rebecca Noon for support or further advice: head3035@welearn365.com
National Resources
National Domestic Violence Helpline Freephone Helpline, 0808 2000 247
Galop - for members of the LGBT+ community Galop runs the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse helpline. Telephone: 0800 999 5428 Email: help@galop.org.uk
SupportLine: provide telephone helpline and email counselling service.
Women’s aid provide survivors forum, a live chat Monday to Friday 10- 12pm and emails
Safelives: provides research, training and support to frontline domestic abuse services and professionals
National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV): Provides free and fast emergency injunction advice to individuals experiencing domestic abuse
Suzy Lamplugh Trust: National Stalking Helpline
Home Office: Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for victims of domestic abuse
Department for Education: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for children's social care services
Rape Crisis England and Wales Rape Crisis Centres provide specialist support and services for survivors of sexual violence, whether it happened recently or a long time ago. Tel : 0808 802 9999
Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them. Telephone: 0808 801 0327
Useful Apps /info for victims
Hollie Gazzard Trust: Free downloadable personal safety app available
BrigthtSky App Free downloadable app: providing support and information for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or someone concerned about a friend or family member. In addition, the app is available for use by employers and service providers.
Support if you are worried about hurting someone
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be an abuser, there is support available. Respect is an anonymous and confidential helpline for men and women who are harming their partners and families. The helpline also takes calls from (ex)partners, friends and relatives who are concerned about perpetrators.
Telephone: 0808 802 4040
West Midlands Resources
Victim Support West Midlands 0300 303 1977
West Midlands Forced Marriage 24hr helpline 0800 953 9777
Birmingham
Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid 0808 800 0028
Bharosa is a domestic abuse service for ethnic minority women living in Birmingham. The service is confidential for women and young girls over the age of 16.Tel: 0121 303 0368.
Birmingham Housing Options Hub: 0808 169 9604
Birmingham Council Housing: 0121 303 7410 or 0121 303 2296/4806
Adult Social Care: 0121 303 1234 or 0121 675 4806
Children’s Social Care: 0121 303 1888 or 0121 675 4806
Coventry
Safe To Talk helpline: 0800 111 4998
Coventry Haven Tel: 02476 444 077
Panahghar, an Urdu word for “safe house,” is a charity based in Coventry that aims to help Asian woman and their families in the region who have experienced domestic abuse.
Coventry Council Housing: Housing Options 02476 834 025. Homelessness
Adult Social Care: Telephone: 024 7683 3003 Adults
Children's Social Care: 024 7678 8555 or out of hours: 024 7683 2222.
Dudley
SPOC: 01384 455411
Black Country Women’s Aid Tel: 0121 553 0090
Dudley Council Housing. Tel: 0300 555 2345 or email dutytorefer@dudley.gov.uk
Adult Social Care. Tel:0300 555 0055
Children's Social Care. Tel: 0300 555 0050
Out of hours adults & children) 0300 555 8574
Sandwell:
Black Country Women’s Aid Tel: 0121 553 0090
Sandwell Council Housing Solutions. Tel: 0121 368 1166 or 0121 569 6883
Adult Social Care. Tel: 0121 569 2266 Out of hours: 0121 569 2355.
Sandwell Children's Trust. Tel: 0121 569 3100
Solihull
Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid Tel: 0808 800 0028 .
Email: info@bswaid.org
Adult Social Care: 0121 704 8007 or 0121 605 6060
Children's Social Care: 0121 788 4333 or out of hours 0121 605 6060
Solihull Council Housing. Housing Options – Homeless Services
0121 717 1515 . Text: 07781 474 722
Email: info@solihullcommunityhousing.org.uk
Walsall:
Black Country Women’s Aid. Tel: 01922 649569
Walsall Council Housing. Tel: 01922 652250
Adult Social Care. Tel: 0300 555 2922.
Children's Social Care: 0300 555 2866
Wolverhampton:
The Haven Wolverhampton Tel: 08000 194 400. Online chat (Mon–Fri 9am- 5pm)
E-mail: info@havenrefuge.org.uk
St Georges Hub for support for male victimsTel: 01902 421904
Wolverhampton Council Housing. Housing Options - Homeless Services 01902 554747 Homelessness
Adult Social Care. Tel: 01902 551199
Children's Social Care. Tel: 01902 555392
Sexual Violence Support
National
Regional Resources
Black Country Women’s Aid: https://blackcountrywomensaid.co.uk/
RSVP, Birmingham and Solihull:
Support for Children
Rights of Women have produced guidance on COVID-19 and child contact arrangements
Children’s Commissioner Guide to coronavirus
Childline :Tel: 0800 1111
If you are interested in finding out more, here are some useful links
For useful information about safety planning and domestic abuse support, read The Women’s Aid Handbook at: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/
If you are in a refuge, the Government have issued guidance on isolation for domestic abuse safe accommodation settings which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-domestic-abuse-safe-accommodation-provision/covid-19-guidance-on-isolation-for-domestic-abuse-safe-accommodation-settings
Refuges do not need to close unless directed to by Public Health England. If you or your children show symptoms whilst in a refuge, you should remain in your own room and follow the self-isolation guidance for households as follows: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection