If you, or someone you are with, is experiencing domestic abuse and or at imminent risk of harm, you should always phone 999. The Police will be able to arrange to get you to a safe place and will ask if you want further support from Southside.

How to call the police when you can’t speak

If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999 and listen to the questions from the operator and, if you can, respond by coughing or tapping on the handset.

Call 999 from a mobile: If prompted, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard and this will transfer your call to the police. Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.

Call 999 from a landline: If the operator can only hear background noise and cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, you will be connected to a police call handler.

If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick up again.

When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about your location should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.

If you are deaf or can’t use a phone: You can register with the emergencySMS. Text REGISTER to 999. You will get a text which tells you what to do next. Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger.

For support when our offices are closed:

101 – Police non-emergency line; if you are not in immediate danger but wish to report an incident to the Police. You can also report an incident online.

116 123 – Samaritans if you need someone to talk to: freephone 24-hour confidential listening service for anyone in crisis, or visit www.samaritans.org

0808 2000 247 – National Domestic Abuse Helpline, freephone 24-hour advice around domestic abuse.

0808 801 0327 – run by Respect, the Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline specifically for male victims.

01225 362814 or 01454 615 165 – B&NES Mental Health Team; if you’re a relative or a health professional who believes someone urgently needs treatment for a mental health disorder and is at risk of harm to themselves or others, you can contact the Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) team.

01225 396312 or 01225 396313 or 01454 615 165 – B&NES Children’s Social Care Duty Team if you have concerns about the welfare of a child(ren)

0300 247 0201 or 01454 615 165 – B&NES Adult Safeguarding if you have concerns about the welfare of an adult.

Safe Spaces – available in Boots, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK. Once you are inside, specialist domestic abuse support information will be available for you to access.

0300 247 0050 – B&NES Community Wellbeing Hub, provides a central place for you to access a range of services that will help you stay safe and well and improve your health and wellbeing.