Do you feel unsafe in your own home?

If you are experiencing domestic abuse you are not alone. Many women have been through the same experience: one in four women have lived with domestic abuse at some point in their lives.

The first thing to remember is you are NOT to blame, domestic violence is a crime and you should not have to put up with it. However, taking action can be hard, but there are a lot of agencies which will give you help and support at this difficult time. Many have staff who have been through the same thing, all have staff who will understand and do all they can to help.

If you report your experiences to some one and they do not seem to understand it is very important that you do not give up: try some one else, or best of all, contact one of the agencies listed below: they will give you all the support and understanding you need to help you turn your life around.

People who can help

Survive (formerly Kingswood Womens's Aid): refuge accommodation/support
Next Link Domestic Abuse Services: refuge accommodation/support
Police: advice and support from officers who specialise in domestic violence
Women's Aid: national organisation dedicated to combating domestic violence.
The Mankind Initiative: for men experiencing domestic violence
Mens Aid
Self Help Groups
Other Agencies

For full contact details of all these agencies go to the downloadable directory located below and right in the; The Directory / Downloads box.
Survive

For refuge accommodation and / or local and friendly support contact:
Survive (formerly Kingswood Womens's Aid).

Address: PO Box 61, Bristol, BS15 8XJ
Tel: 0117 961 3999
E-mail: support@surviveaid.freeserve.co.uk

They have several phone numbers, for first contact the best number to try is: 0117 961 3999. Otherwise their office number is: 0117 961 3222. There is someone there between 9am - 4pm Monday to Fridays.

Otherwise there is an answerphone which is checked regularly.

Survive is a friendly, locally based agency run by women who have been in a domestic violence relationship or who care deeply about helping those who are in such a relationship. For full details of all their support go to the directory as above.

StaySafe

This project’s outreach workers offer friendly, confidential one-to-one support. They also hold weekly self-help groups where you can meet other women who are in the same position as yourself for coffee, a chat and friendship. A free crèche is provided. The scheme also arranges free home security.
Tel Survive on 0117 961 3999 for details

Next Link Domestic Abuse Services

Next Link is another domestic violence agency. It is based in central Bristol and also offers refuge accommodation and support and advice.

Address: Link House, 5 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4JQ
Tel: 0117 925 0680
E-mail: nextlink@mlha.freeserve.co.uk
Web-site: www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~mlink

They are open: Mon - Fri 9am-5pm (shut lunchtime 1-2)

Police

If you need police help in an emergency do not be afraid to contact 999. Otherwise, to get advice and support from officers who specialise in domestic violence contact the Domestic Violence Officers:

Address: Staple Hill Police Station, Broad Street, Staple Hill, BS16 5LX
Tel: 0117 9454176

Officers may be there during office hours: Mon to Sat 8am - 4pm. If there is no one there or outside these hours contact the main police switchboard on 01275 818181. In an emergency dial 999.

The police website is:www.avonandsomerset.police.uk Domestic Violence Officers specialise in domestic violence offences and can give helpful advice, support and information.

Women's Aid

Women's Aid is a national organisation dedicated to combating domestic violence. They offer a 24 hour helpline, the number is: 0808 2000 247.

Their website is: www.womensaid.org.uk

The Mankind Initiative

Men experiencing domestic violence can seek support from The Mankind Initiative. This is a voluntary organisation which campaigns on a variety of men's issues.

There is a local helpline for men experiencing domestic violence, the number is 01643 863352. There is some one there from 8pm-9.30pm every evening, but there is an amswerphone on at other times and this is checked regularly.

Men’s Aid

A national charity offering support to men who are experiencing domestic abuse

Tel 01334 474348 10am-3pm
Website: www.mensaid.org

Self Help Groups

If you would like to join other women who have also survived domestic abuse for support, a coffee and a friendly chat join one of the self help groups in the area. There are regular meetings in Kingswood, Patchway, Bradley Stoke and Filton, transport can be arranged from Winterbourne.

All the groups are friendly, informal gatherings where women can share experiences and offer and receive support from others who have been there too. If you would like to know more contact Survive

Other agencies

For a detailed list of helpful agencies in South Gloucestershire download our directory or request a copy from the Domestic Violence Co-ordinator. The directory lists agencies which will give help and advice under the following headings:

Services which specialise in domestic violence
Counselling and emotional support
Advice
Young people
Support groups
Accommodation
Law
Income
Health
Disabilities
Children
Substance abuse
Ethnic minorities
Men
Same sex relationships
Older people