If a person you live with or have lived with has abused you – whether physically or not – you could be experiencing domestic abuse. The law can protect you and help you to change your situation.

Domestic abuse is when someone in a close relationship with you behaves in a way that causes you physical, mental, or emotional damage. This doesn’t have to be physical violence. Domestic abuse includes any incident of threatening behaviour. Domestic abuse can be psychological, physical, social, financial or emotional.

Domestic abusers are usually a person’s spouse, partner, ex-spouse, ex-partner or other close family member. Most people affected by domestic abuse are women, but some men are abused by their partners.

If you feel you are being abused, there are organisations that can help you:

• The LiveFearFree helpline is a free, confidential 24 hour helpline run by Welsh Women’s Aid. Call 0808 8010 800. This helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will not show up on your telephone bill. You can also make contact by email at [email protected]
• Refuge is a charity who support women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Their helpline number is 0808 2000 247 and open 24/7.
• Men experiencing domestic abuse can contact the Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327. The helpline is open Mon to Fri 9am-5pm and is free from landlines and mobile phones within the UK. Men suffering abuse can also contact The Dyn Project in Wales. Their free and confidential helpline can be contacted on 0808 801 0321. The helpline is open on Mondays and Tuesdays between 10am and 4pm, and on Wednesday between 10am and 1pm. Contact can be made by email at [email protected]
• Stonewall Cymru provides advice and support on a range of issues to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender victims and survivors of domestic abuse in Wales.
• BAWSO provide safe and secure accommodation to Black and Ethnic Minority women and children at risk of or suffering domestic abuse in Wales. Their helpline number is 0800 7318147 and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Hourglass – a charity specifically dedicated to tackling the harm, neglect, abuse and exploitation of older people. Their helpline number is 0808 808 8141 and is open 24/7.
• Childline is a confidential helpline for children and young people experiencing or witnessing abuse run by the NSPCC. The helpline is 0800 11 11 and open 24/7. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones within the UK and will not appear on phone bills.
• Bright Sky app is a free mobile app that provides support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship.
• The Public Health Wales website provides further practical advice on how to stay safe, health and wellbeing and links to additional resources.

You might also need to think about whether you should leave your current home, or whether you can stay there and improve safety. The Civil Legal Advice helpline on 0345 345 4 345 is a free legal advice service in England and Wales. You may be able to get free advice on housing, family and other problems if you are eligible for legal aid. The helpline can provide contact details of solicitors in your area who may be able to help you.