Support for victims of domestic abuse

Everyone has the right to live free from abuse. Contact details for organisations who offer help and support for victims of domestic abuse.

Help for victims

You are not to blame and you are not alone. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, there is support available:

• Lighthouse Victim Care – Our Lighthouse Safeguarding Unit (LSU) are a dedicated police department for victim and witness care and safeguarding. If you have been a victim of crime, a LSU Victim Witness Care Officer will take the time to discuss your needs and refer you to specialist support if required. Find out more on the Lighthouse Victim Care website.
• This Is Not An Excuse – This website provides details of organisations in your area who offer support and advice for those affected by domestic violence. Visit the This Is Not An Excuse website for more details.
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline – Call the free, 24 hour National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit the National Domestic Abuse Helpline website.

Being a victim of crime or witnessing an incident can be stressful and upsetting. Our victim information pack (PDF) will provide you with information about your rights and explains what you can expect from the police when you report a crime.

Animal cruelty and domestic abuse

If your partner, ex-partner, or a family member has harmed or threatened to harm your animal or pet, this can be a form of domestic abuse. Offenders exploit a victim’s bond with their animal to coerce and control them.

Unfortunately, the following organisations do not offer foster homes for those victims living within the Avon and Somerset force area, but can offer support and signposting for cases of domestic abuse which involve animal cruelty.

• Cats Protection Lifeline – call the helpline on 03000 121212, email lifeline@cats.org.uk or visit the Cats Protection Lifeline website.
• Freedom Project at Dogs Trust – call the helpline on 0800 298 9199, email freedomproject@dogstrust.org.uk, or visit the Freedom Project at Dogs Trust website.
• Refuge4pets – for dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles and small animals. Call the helpline on 0300 4000 121, email info@refuge4pets.org.uk, or visit the Refuge4pets website.

Advice for education providers

Operation Encompass is a vital safeguarding initiative that connects police forces with schools and other educational settings. It ensures children exposed to domestic abuse receive timely and appropriate support. All Designated Safeguarding Leads should undertake the online Operation Encompass training, which is available for all staff in schools and education settings, including early years settings.

In May 2024, Operation Encompass was enshrined in UK Law, under the Victims and Prisoners Act. This made it a statutory duty for all police forces to share domestic abuse notifications with education partners.

When we attend a domestic incident, we will share information with the appropriate education settings in a timely way if:

• children were present
• children live at, or are connected to the address

This enables education staff to offer immediate support to children, and the family where appropriate, aided by the training offered by Operation Encompass.

Further information

• If you need help caring for a child in your school, visit the Operation Encompass website.
• If you have any queries about Operation Encompass in Avon and Somerset, you can contact our Operation Encompass team.
• Additional Resources for teachers and educators can be found on our website.

Help for abusers

If you have concerns about someone else’s behaviour, support is available:

• Respect.uk.net is a domestic abuse organisation which works with male and female perpetrators of domestic violence. The helpline also takes calls from partners, ex-partners, friends and relatives who are concerned someone they know may be violent.

Report domestic abuse

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, or know someone who is, report it to us. Find out how to report domestic abuse.