Getting help for someone else
Helping your friend or relative
Nobody deserves to live a life in fear and your help could be the first step to getting someone out of a dangerous situation. Manchester Women’s Aid can help your friend or relative. Our team are trained to support those experiencing domestic abuse and help them out of a potentially life-threatening situation.
It can be very hard to know how to support a friend or relative who is going through domestic abuse.
The most important thing you can do is listen to your friend and not to judge the situation.
Tell her she is not to blame
You might want to tell her, to leave immediately, but this could backfire, if she’s not in a place where she feels she can do that.
Your friend might have been isolated and felt like there’s nowhere to turn for a very long time. Reassure her and tell her that you’re there for her and that there is support available.
Your friend might blame herself. Tell her she is not to blame.
If your friend, feels ready to, you could encourage her to talk to us.
HELPLINE
Calling the helpline or reaching out with an email is a hugely important step and we understand that every situation is unique. Our helpline staff will be understanding and give your friend advice on safety planning, point her to benefits advice and other resources.
Your friend or you can call 0161 660 7999 or email referrals@manchesterwomensaid.org on Mon to Fri from 9.30 to 4.30.
The National Domestic Abuse helpline is open 24/7 all year round on 0808 2000 247 or here’s the chat function here.
OTHER HELPLines
Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline
Manchester Women's Aid work closely with Independent Choices, a charity who run the Greater Manchester Helpline. You can contact their advisers on from Monday to Friday 10:00 - 16:00 on:
0161 636 7525
The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
The Mix, free information and support for under 25s in the UK – 0808 808 4994
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)
Samaritans (24/7 service) – 116 123
