Navigating Support Services in the UK

If you are leaving an abusive situation, you may feel overwhelmed. Knowing what to expect can help reduce some of the uncertainty. Below is a guide to the main types of support available for women in the UK.

Refuges: Safe houses across the UK that provide emergency accommodation for women (and often their children). Stays are confidential, and addresses are protected.

What to Expect:

• You’ll usually be given your own room (sometimes shared if space is limited).
• Shared facilities such as kitchen, lounge, and garden.
• Keyworker support to help with housing, benefits, safety planning, and next steps.

How to Access: Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline or Women’s Aid directory for vacancies. Councils also have a legal duty to help women fleeing abuse.

Abuse often leaves deep emotional scars — anxiety, depression, trauma responses, or feelings of shame are common.

Support Available:

• Counselling & therapy (some refuges and local services offer this free).
• GP & NHS mental health referrals (your doctor can connect you to talking therapies, crisis teams, or medication support).
• Survivor peer groups for connection and understanding.

What to Expect: You can share at your own pace; trained staff should listen without judgment. Trauma-informed services will never pressure you.

• Protective Orders: You can apply for Non-Molestation Orders (to stop contact/abuse) or Occupation Orders (to exclude an abuser from the home).
• Police Support: You have the right to ask for a Domestic Violence Protection Notice/Order (DVPN/DVPO) for immediate safety.
• Housing Rights: Councils must treat domestic abuse as a priority need for housing.
• Legal Aid: If you cannot afford a solicitor, you may qualify for free legal aid in domestic abuse cases.

What to Expect: Legal processes can feel intimidating, but domestic abuse support workers or specialist solicitors can guide you step by step.

First Contact: You’ll usually start by calling a helpline or referral service. They’ll ask about your situation, safety, and any children or support needs.

Arrival at a Refuge: You may be collected discreetly or given travel instructions. Staff understand this is a huge step and will prioritise your safety and comfort.

Community Services: If a refuge isn’t right, many organisations offer outreach support — such as advocacy, counselling, and housing help — while you remain in your own home or temporary accommodation.

What to Expect:

• Warm, practical support from trained women workers.
• Help with benefits, schools, healthcare, and rebuilding independence.
• A supportive environment where your safety and privacy come first.

• You do not need to have left your abuser to ask for help.
• Keep any important documents (passport, ID, bank details) in a safe place if possible.
• It’s okay to ask questions — support services are there to guide you, not to judge.