Supporting children and young people

If you are in immediate danger call 999 or 999BSL.

If you can’t speak, cough or tap the handset then press 55 on your phone – the police will know it’s an emergency)

For 24/7 advice call the free National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 2000 247.

How we can help children and young people

  • 1-2-1 Mentoring provides a safe, private and non-judgmental space for 7 – 18-year-olds affected by domestic abuse to explore their experiences and build trust and confidence.
  • 1-2-1 support programmes for adolescents with lived experience of domestic abuse to help them to build resilience, harness their strengths and meet life’s challenges, all tailored to the individual.
  • Family recovery programme with an holistic approach for primary school-aged children and their non-abusive parent to process their experiences and heal together in a safe, non-judgemental environment.
  • Healthy relationship workshops – interactive workshops that help young people to explore healthy relationships. We cover signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships, consent, the dangers and dynamics of grooming and the laws and support available to help them. A fee is payable for this service.

Children do not witness abuse, they experience it

  • 1 in 7 under 18s will have lived with domestic abuse at some point in their childhood (NSPCC)
  • 16 to 19-year-olds are 40% more likely to experience a toxic relationship than 20 – 24-year-olds (Crime Survey for England and Wales)
  • Emotional abuse is the most common abuse type currently experienced by young people (72%), followed by jealous and controlling behaviours (68%) and physical abuse (57%) (SafeLives)
  • 9 in 10 young people have talked to a friend to try and help them with a toxic or unhealthy relationship, but 83% said self-doubt would stop them from talking to a friend (SafeLives)
image

We've helped hundreds of children

Last year we helped 1561 adults and 393 children to regain control of their lives and go from surviving to thriving.

We are here to support families, and young people experiencing their early intimate relationships navigate their experiences of domestic abuse.

1561

adults
supported

393

children
supported

Do you need help?

If someone in your family, or a boyfriend/girlfriend/partner, is frightening, intimidating or hurting you, emotionally or physically, you can get help.

If they are calling you names, regularly shouting at you, and making you do things that make you feel uncomfortable – those are all signs that something is not ok.

We are here for you.

If you don’t feel comfortable reaching out to us, a trusted person may be able to help you.

This might be:

  • A teacher
  • A parent, guardian or carer (if they’re not the abusive person)
  • A family friend or neighbour you know very well and trust
  • A nurse or doctor
  • A police officer

You can also call Childline‘s free,  private, and confidential helpline on 0800 1111 about anything, big or small, and not just domestic abuse.

Call our free helpline for advice

0800 917 9948

For non-emergency support.Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 09:30–11:30am, 12:30–2:30pm
Thursday and Friday 09:30–11:30am (except bank holidays)Your call is free and will not show up on itemised phone bills

Is your relationship healthy?

We’ve made it easy for you to work out if your family or romantic relationship is healthy. Learn more about what the red and green flags are, what you deserve in a relationship and how to keep yourself safe.

A young child in a blue dress hugging her mother
Testimonial

Hear our survivor stories

Oasis Perspectives podcast

Listen to Hanna’s podcast episode about what it’s like for young people experiencing toxic relationships.

Listen here

Guidance on how to be as safe as possible, from practical safety planning to covering tracks online.

Understand what domestic abuse is, how to spot the signs and what makes a healthy relationship.

The answers to frequently asked questions and misconceptions about domestic abuse.

Donate

Your gift makes a huge impact.
Every donation helps survivors to live a safe life.

Sign up

Keep up-to-date with our news by
signing up for our newsletter.