Protecting you and your safety

Domestic Abuse

COVID-19 is an extremely challenging situation for everyone. We are faced with a rapidly changing environment, and new challenges every day.

The changes have meant that the majority of households are now spending more time together with day to day activities restricted. Support which has previously been in place has changed for many, and may be inaccessible for some.

Domestic abuse remains one of the highest priorities for Greater Manchester Police, and we will continue to adapt our resources and approaches to ensure we are playing our part in protecting the vulnerable members of society.

Domestic abuse is everyone’s business, and during this time it is crucial that we continue to recognise the signs and ensure that victims are aware of all the different ways in which it is possible to access support and report crime.

Guidance on protecting yourself and others:

• Maintain contact with friends and family via telephone and video calls, or social media, ensuring you and others are aware of any risks in the home.
• If you feel at risk, please contact us, tell someone you can trust, or use the support available which is detailed below.
• Always ensure your mobile phone is charged and with you.
• Agree a safety word or code with friends and family so they know if you call or text with this, they need to contact the police.
• If there are children in the home, agree a safety word or code with them too so if there is a risk or threat, they know when to leave the home when this is used, and also know where is a safe place to go to if needed.
• If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999 and then press 55 - this will transfer your call to the relevant police force, who will assist you without you having to speak. See more information.

Reporting:

If you're a victim of domestic abuse, or know someone who is, and there's an emergency that's ongoing or life is in danger, call 999 now. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.

In non-emergency cases, please use our online reporting facility,  LiveChat or call 101. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service on 18001 101.

Resources and Support:  

• Greater Manchester Victims’ Services – Greater Manchester Victims’ Services can provide independent emotional and practical support for anyone affected by crime. You can contact the service by visiting the website on https://www.gmvictims.org.uk/ or calling 0800 876 6155 (available 24/7)
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline (available 24/7) – 0808 2000 247
• SafeLives is a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, and they have created a dedicated page on their website for corona-related guidance and information which can be found
• Clare’s Law – there is a Right to Ask process for those who may have concerns that their/a friend or families partner could be abusive. The information can be requested via the GMP website here.
• Bright Sky is a free to download app providing information on domestic abuse for those at risk, and concerned family and friends, disguised behind an appearance which on the exterior appears like a weather app. This can be downloaded here.

• Independent Choices - To access specialist LGBTQ+ domestic abuse services please call: Domestic Abuse Helpline 0161 636 7525 or email: [email protected] More information available at: http://www.domesticabusehelpline.co.uk/

• LGBT Foundation - If you would like to access support please call: 0345 3303030, or email: [email protected] For further information please visit: http://lgbt.foundation/dasupport 

• Endeavour - Endeavour was set up to help end Domestic Abuse for People and their Pets. If you would like to access their services, please call: 01204 394 842 or email: [email protected] For more information, please visit: https://www.endeavourproject.org.uk/