As well as contacting services and organisations that can offer support and advice, you may find it helpful to access the resources (videos, podcasts, apps, and webpages) below. Some of these resources will provide you with more information about domestic abuse, and some are particularly for friends, family members, neighbours, and colleagues. They can help you to work out what your role is, and the ways in which you can offer support. There are lots of resources available online, so we have tried to include only the most relevant ones.
DISTRESS/TRIGGER WARNING – in some of the resources (particularly the video content), domestic abuse, and its impacts, are described and shown. You may find this distressing, or triggering, especially if you have had any similar experiences yourself.
YouTube clips
The following animation (‘Domestic abuse is a much more common problem in our society than many of us think it would be’) describes what domestic abuse is, why a woman experiencing domestic abuse might find it hard to talk to someone about what is happening, and gives some tips about what you can do to help. It has been produced by IMPRODOVA and received funding from the EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme:
The following animation (‘Hidden in Plain Sight’) describes some of the controlling behaviours and tactics used by people who are being abusive, why it can be difficult to spot domestic abuse, and the importance of asking someone whether they are OK. It has been produced by Scottish Women’s Aid:
The following video (‘Behind Closed Doors’) shows a 12-month period in the lives of three brave women, from making an emergency call, through to police and court processes. It shows some of the complexity around domestic abuse, and can help us to understand better why it is not easy to leave or to end an abusive relationship. It was produced by True Vision Productions using footage from the Thames Valley Police Domestic Abuse Teams:
The following video (‘A friend has told me they were abused. What should I do?’) has been produced by psychologist Dr Nina Burrowes. In the video Dr Burrowes talks about what you can do to help someone who has experienced sexual abuse (including rape, sexual violence, and sexual abuse as part of domestic abuse). She also talks about the importance of looking after yourself:
Podcasts
The following podcast was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic to advise friends, family members, neighbours, and colleagues about what they can say and do to help someone who is experiencing domestic abuse, particularly when social restrictions are in place. Much of the advice is useful at any time, not just during the pandemic:
Apps
Bright Sky is a free mobile app and website for people experiencing domestic abuse. It is also useful for friends, family members, neighbours, and colleagues. It has information about the signs you might notice which indicate domestic abuse, and provides links to further resources and specialist support services:
Webpages
The following blog was written during the COVID-19 pandemic to advise friends, family members, neighbours, and colleagues about what they can do to help someone who is experiencing domestic abuse, particularly when social restrictions are in place. Much of the advice is useful at any time, not just during the pandemic:
Supporting friends and family members experiencing domestic abuse during COVID-19
The following guide was written as part of a public health campaign in Bristol for people who are concerned that someone they know is experiencing domestic abuse. Some of the specialist support details are local to South-West England, but the rest of the content is relevant for everyone:
The following webpages describe the findings from research carried out with women survivors of domestic abuse. The website is run by healthtalk.org, and there are video clips of women talking about their experiences, including how it felt to reach out for support from friends, family members, neighbours, and colleagues:
The following webpages have been written by Women’s Aid, a UK charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. The webpages provide information about steps you can take to help someone who is experiencing abuse:
Women’s Aid have also produced a handbook for survivors which provides detailed information for women experiencing domestic abuse, with simple guidance about seeking support. As a friend, family member, neighbour, or colleague, you may also find the information in this handbook helpful:
The following webpages have been written by Refuge, a UK charity who run the National Domestic Abuse Helpline. The webpages provide information about how to help someone you care about who is experiencing abuse:
The following webpage contains an online booklet written by Rape Crisis Scotland for people who are supporting a partner who has experienced any form of sexual violence (including rape, sexual violence, and sexual abuse as part of domestic abuse):
Supporting someone who has experienced sexual violence: Information for partners
