Domestic Abuse & Safeguarding

Domestic Abuse & Safeguarding in England & Wales – Full Guidance

If you are in immediate danger:

Call 999

If you cannot speak, press 55 on a mobile after dialing 999 (“Silent Solution”)

Official emergency guidance:
GOV.UK Domestic Abuse Help

1. What Is Domestic Abuse?

Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, domestic abuse includes behaviour between people aged 16+ who are personally connected. Abuse can be a single incident or a pattern of behaviour.

Domestic abuse includes:

  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Psychological abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Financial/economic abuse
  • Coercive control
  • Stalking and harassment
  • Digital/online abuse
  • “Honour”-based abuse
  • Forced marriage
  • Immigration-related abuse

 

Official legislation:
Domestic Abuse Act 2021

 

2. What Is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding means protecting:

  • Children
  • Vulnerable adults
  • Victims of abuse
  • People at risk of harm

It involves:

  • Prevention
  • Early intervention
  • Risk assessment
  • Multi-agency support

Key safeguarding guidance:
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026

 

3. Types of Domestic Abuse

Physical Abuse

  • Assault
  • Hitting
  • Strangulation
  • Restraining

Emotional/Psychological Abuse

  • Threats
  • Humiliation
  • Isolation
  • Intimidation

Coercive & Controlling Behaviour

A pattern of domination or control.

Examples:

  • Monitoring phones
  • Restricting movement
  • Financial control
  • Isolation from family
  • Threats involving children

 

Economic Abuse

Economic abuse is legally recognised.

Examples:

  • Controlling wages
  • Blocking employment
  • Debt coercion
  • Taking benefits
  • Destroying credit ratings

Support organisation:
Surviving Economic Abuse

Digital Abuse

  • GPS tracking
  • Password control
  • Spyware
  • Social media monitoring
  • Threats online

Post-Separation Abuse

Abuse often continues after relationships end through:

  • Family court manipulation
  • Stalking
  • Harassment
  • Child contact abuse
  • Financial abuse

 

4. Men and Women Can Both Be Victims

Domestic abuse affects:

  • Women
  • Men
  • LGBTQ+ people
  • Elderly people
  • Disabled people

Recent UK data estimated:

  • 2.2 million women
  • 1.5 million men

experienced domestic abuse in a year.

 

5. Domestic Abuse Support for Women

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Run by Refuge

  • 24/7 support
  • Refuge accommodation
  • Safety planning

Official site:
National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Telephone:

  • 0808 2000 247

Women’s Aid

Women’s Aid

Provides:

  • Refuge support
  • Legal guidance
  • Safety advice
  • Survivor support

Official site:
Women’s Aid

Refuge

Refuge

Official site:
Refuge

 

6. Domestic Abuse Support for Men

Men’s Advice Line

Men's Advice Line

Support for:

  • Male victims
  • Fathers
  • LGBTQ+ victims
  • Non-binary victims

Official site:
Men’s Advice Line

Telephone:

  • 0808 801 0327

Email:

  • info@mensadviceline.org.uk

Mankind Initiative

Official site:
ManKind Initiative

Telephone:

  • 01823 334244

 

7. LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Support

Galop

Galop

Supports:

  • LGBT+ victims
  • Hate crime victims
  • Domestic abuse victims

Official site:
Galop

 

8. Child Safeguarding & Domestic Abuse

Children exposed to abuse are considered victims in their own right under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Children may experience:

  • Trauma
  • Anxiety
  • Behavioural issues
  • Educational problems
  • Long-term emotional harm

Official safeguarding guidance:
NSPCC Domestic Abuse Guidance

 

9. Safeguarding Agencies

Social Services

Can:

  • Investigate risks
  • Support families
  • Initiate child protection plans

Police

Police may:

  • Arrest perpetrators
  • Issue bail conditions
  • Apply for Domestic Violence Protection Orders

Cafcass

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

In family court, Cafcass investigates:

  • Child safety
  • Welfare concerns
  • Domestic abuse allegations

Official site:
Cafcass

 

10. MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference)

MARAC handles high-risk domestic abuse cases.

Agencies involved:

  • Police
  • Social services
  • Health services
  • Domestic abuse specialists

Purpose:

  • Share intelligence
  • Create protection plans
  • Reduce homicide risk

 

11. Court Protection Orders

Non-Molestation Order

Protects against:

  • Harassment
  • Threats
  • Violence
  • Intimidation

Breach is a criminal offence.

Apply using:

  • Form FL401

Official form:
FL401 Form

Occupation Order

Can regulate:

  • Who lives in the family home
  • Exclusion zones
  • Home access

Usually applied for with FL401.

Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO)

Police/emergency court protection.

Restraining Orders

Usually made in criminal proceedings.

 

12. Evidence in Domestic Abuse Cases

Useful evidence includes:

  • Text messages
  • Police reports
  • Photos of injuries
  • Medical records
  • Witness statements
  • Social media
  • CCTV
  • Call logs

Courts consider:

  • Patterns of behaviour
  • Credibility
  • Risk
  • Child welfare

 

13. Family Court & Domestic Abuse

Family courts follow:

Practice Direction 12J

This governs:

  • Child contact where abuse alleged
  • Risk assessment
  • Fact-finding hearings

Official guidance:
Practice Direction 12J

 

14. Clare’s Law

Officially:

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme

Allows someone to ask police if a partner has violent history.

Official guidance:
Clare’s Law Guidance

 

15. Safeguarding for Migrants & Immigration Victims

Abusers may use:

  • Immigration status
  • Passport confiscation
  • Deportation threats
  • Visa control

Guidance for migrant victims:
Victims of Domestic Abuse Immigration Guidance

 

16. Honour-Based Abuse & Forced Marriage

Includes:

  • Family coercion
  • Threats
  • Violence
  • Spiritual abuse
  • Marriage abandonment

Recent CPS guidance expanded protections around:

  • Dowry abuse
  • Spiritual abuse
  • Immigration exploitation

 

Forced Marriage Unit:
Forced Marriage Unit

 

17. Workplace Safeguarding

Employers increasingly provide:

  • Domestic abuse policies
  • Workplace safety planning
  • Flexible leave
  • Confidential HR support

Example guidance:
Domestic Abuse Guidance for Staff

 

18. NHS & Health Safeguarding

Healthcare professionals may:

  • Make safeguarding referrals
  • Record injuries
  • Assess risk
  • Refer to specialist support

The NHS plays a major safeguarding role.

 

19. Refuge & Safe Accommodation

Victims may access:

  • Emergency refuge accommodation
  • Safe houses
  • Sanctuary schemes

London support information:
London Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Support

 

20. Key Emergency Contacts

Service

Contact

Emergency Police

999

Silent Solution

Press 55

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

0808 2000 247

Men’s Advice Line

0808 801 0327

Samaritans

116 123

NSPCC

0808 800 5000

Childline

0800 1111

 

21. Important Official Resources

 

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