Domestic Violence Support
In the year ending March 2025, an estimated 7.8% of adults in England and Wales (around 3.8 million people) experienced domestic abuse, with women being disproportionately affected. In a lifetime, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6-7 men experience domestic abuse. Police recorded 1.35 million domestic abuse-related crimes in the year ending March 2024, though this is believed to be a significant underestimate of the true scale of the problem.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence. In the majority of cases the abuse is perpetrated by a partner or ex-partner, but can also be a family member or carer. It is very common.
Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:
Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
Psychological and/or emotional abuse
Physical or sexual abuse
Financial Abuse
Harassment or Stalking
Online or Digital Abuse
Domestic violence has a devastating impact on children that can last into adulthood.
Who can help?
We are working closely with different agencies to ensure our parents have access to support if they need it. Please see a list of agencies below.
The Next Chapter
Next Chapter (formerly known as Colchester & Tendring Women's Refuge) is a domestic abuse charity working across the areas of Tendring and Colchester. They provide free and confidential services to support people who are currently experiencing, or have previously experienced domestic abuse.
You can access via a webchat service to our website which we can respond to Monday to Friday, between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm, and 1.30 pm and 4.00 pm which is a good way to get some support but remaining anonymous to start with.
Telephone - 0330 333 7444 https://www.thenextchapter.org.uk/
Compass
COMPASS is a single point of access funded by Essex County Council in partnership with the Office of Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to support victims of domestic abuse across Southend, Essex and Thurrock.
Safer Places
Safer Places is an independent charity which provides a comprehensive range of services to adults and children affected by all forms of Domestic Abuse
Telephone - 03301 025 811 https://www.saferplaces.co.uk/
Women's Aid
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
The Mix, free information and support for under 25s in the UK – 0808 808 4994
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428
Samaritans (24/7 service) – 116 123
Men's Advice Line
Confidential advice and support for men experiencing domestic violence and abuse by a current or ex-partner or family member
Telephone - 0808 801 0327 mensadviceline.org.uk
.
SETDAB
Southend, Essex and Thurrock's domestic abuse partnership website, providing advice and information on services for those affected by domestic abuse.
