Worried about someone you know?
If you think someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available at the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline.
Open 8am-10pm Monday to Friday.
📞 Call 08000 198 668
📲 Text 07534 617 252
💬 Live Chat: https://www.derbyshiredomesticabusehelpline.co.uk
Advisors can chat to you discreetly and provide you with emotional and practical support.
Alternatively, the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline is open 365 days a year.
Call 0808 2000 247.
For those who are in immediate danger, please do not hesitate to call 999.
If you are worried a child is witnessing, experiencing or being impacted by domestic abuse, or you are concerned for their safety, please tap the button above to view our advice section.
You Can Call for Advice
If you're worried about someone you know, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Our helpline is here to provide advice and support for friends, family members, or anyone concerned about someone who may be experiencing domestic abuse.
You can call us for advice, but if the adult you are worried about needs support from us they will need to give consent to be referred. This ensures we do not put them at added risk, and that we respect their wishes and work in a way that supports their choices.
We’re here to listen, guide, and help you understand the best ways to support your loved one.
It can be upsetting to know or suspect that someone you care about is struggling and it can be difficult to know what to do about it. Often your first instinct will be to intervene but this can be dangerous to both of you.
There are things you can do to help them keep themselves safe...
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Give them an opportunity to open up and keep the line of communication open.
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Listen without judgement.
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Let them know you’re there for them and be patient – it may take a while for things to change.
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Don’t tell them to leave or criticise them for staying – it is a big decision and it has to be theirs. Instead help build up their confidence and self-esteem.
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Encourage them to seek help from local domestic abuse services.
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Agree a code or action that is only known to you both so they can signal when they’re in danger and cannot get help.
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Offer to keep spare sets of keys or important documents in a safe place so they can be accessed quickly in an emergency.
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Encourage them to think of their own and their children’s needs above anyone else's.
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Remind them to keep their mobile phone charged up and accessible at all times.
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Direct them to the safety planning section of our website.
Worried about a child or young person?
If you think a child or young person is witnessing or experiencing domestic abuse there are things you can do to help.
Contact Derbyshire Police on 101. If a child or young person is in immediate danger or you are worried about their safety, always contact 999.
You can contact local children and family services by phoning Call Derbyshire on
01629 533190.
If you would prefer to speak to someone anonymously, you can contact NSPCC.
Tel: 0808 800 5000 or for alternative ways to report check out their website.
If you are a professional working with a child or young person and are worried about their safety, please contact Call Derbyshire by phone on 01629 533190 straight away.