Domestic Abuse
Need immediate help?
- In an emergency contact the police, dial 999 and ask for help.
- When you can't talk, dial 999 then press 55 when prompted. This is called the Silent Solution system.
- For non-emergency assistance, dial 101 for the Greater Manchester Police Switchboard (24-hour service).
- Rochdale EHASH (Early Help And Safeguarding Hub), ring 0300 303 0440 for information and advice on the support available. Monday–Friday from 8.45am–4.45pm or outside these hours ring 0300 303 8875. Alternatively, you can email ehash@rochdale.gov.uk.
About who can help with domestic abuse
If you're a victim of domestic abuse, there's a range of support available to help you.
You may be interested in first contacting the specialist support organisations that have expertise in supporting victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Contact the police
To contact the police:
- In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for help.
- When you can't talk, dial 999 then press 55 when prompted. This is called the Silent Solution system.
- For non-emergency assistance, dial 101 for the Greater Manchester Police Switchboard (24-hour service).
Find out about a partner's past
If you're worried about your partner or ex-partner's behaviour, you can find out if they've got a criminal history of violence or abuse in their previous relationships.
You can also request this information about the partner of a close friend or family member if you're concerned about them. Your right to request this information is covered in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
Request information under Clare's Law
Rochdale Victim Support
Rochdale Victim Support aims to be the first point of contact for male and female domestic abuse victims in the borough of Rochdale. They'll help to find you the right support, no matter what you need - from one-to-one support to help attending court.
They're currently offering telephone and email support, including safety planning on the following contact details.
Ring 0161 507 9609 or email rochdale@victimsupport.org.uk.
Find a safe house
Safenet provides refuge accommodation to women and children in the borough of Rochdale and can be contacted 24 hours a day. They also offer safe houses and outreach support for male and female victims and survivors.
You can access a pet fostering service if you're a victim of domestic abuse within Greater Manchester who has a domestic pet and is fleeing to temporary accommodation.
If you're a woman fleeing domestic abuse, you may be able to get a free train ticket which you can use to travel to refuge accommodation.
Local support services
You can access support and courses to help you understand domestic abuse.
This is a list of services available in Greater Manchester.
- Rochdale Connections Trust - support for female victims, children and male perpetrators. The office is currently closed but key workers are offering support over the phone during normal office hours. This includes safety planning, male awareness and time-out strategies.
- The Freedom Programme for women - a free and confidential 12-week programme for women who want to know more about domestic abuse.
- Rochdale Women's Welfare Association - support for women experiencing racial equalities affected by forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) or sexual assault.
- Support for honour-based violence victims - there is lots of support available to you if you have experienced honour-based violence and abuse.
- Help for children and young people affected by domestic abuse
- NESTAC - therapeutic support for adult women, children and young people affected by or at risk of FGM.
- LGBT Foundation - provides support across Greater Manchester to anyone over 16 years old who identifies under the umbrella term of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and others (LGBTQ+), including those questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Independent Choices - one-to-one support across Greater Manchester for LGBTQ+ people affected by domestic abuse.
- St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre - provides comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and aftercare support to any victims of rape or sexual assault.
- Trafford Rape Crisis - offers a free service to women and girls who have experienced any form of sexual violence recently or historically. Fully trained trauma-informed counsellors offer 26 weeks of one-to-one therapy to help you rebuild your life. Any woman can access the service, no matter where you live as long as you can travel to Trafford where it's based. You can join the programme yourself through their website.
National helplines and support
These are some of the helplines and support services available across the whole of the UK.
- The 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline
- The Men's Advice Line - a national charity dedicated to helping and supporting male victims of domestic abuse.
- Galop - the national lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans domestic abuse helpline.
- Karma Nirvana - supporting victims of honour-based abuse including forced marriage.
- Safenet - live online chat service.
- Bright Sky - an app that provides support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know. The app is available in several languages including English, Urdu, Punjabi and Polish.
- Chayn - provides online tools, information, courses and support for people experiencing abuse. Their DIY online safety guide details how to secure devices or clear browsing history after you've accessed a website.
- Hollieguard - a personal safety app.
- The Survivors' Forum - an online resource for survivors of domestic abuse. It aims to be a place where survivors can support each other and share their experiences.
- Victim Support - online chat service for victims of crime in Greater Manchester.
- Women's Aid - currently offering an online chat service. Start a chat with Women's Aid.
upport sessions for victims and survivors
First stage support
If you're a victim or a survivor you can attend these sessions to understand domestic abuse and raise your awareness of it.
Name of the session: Freedom Programme
Summary: 9-12 sessions on domestic abuse, the traits of the dominator and the impact on children.
Aim of the session: to raise awareness of domestic abuse and its impact on children.
Criteria for the session: women aged 18 years and over who are experiencing or affected by domestic abuse.
Contact details for further information: email us at freedomprogramme@rochdale.gov.uk. If you speak Punjabi, you can also phone Rochdale Women's Welfare at 01706 860157
Name of the session: iMatter
Summary: weekly Zoom sessions for 10 weeks.
Aim of the session: helping victims of domestic abuse move on in their recovery journey. This programme looks at the importance of self-worth, self-care and mindfulness.
Criteria for the session: women aged 16 and over who have been, or are currently, victims of domestic abuse.
Contact details for further information: Visit the iMatter Programme - Victim Support website
Name of the session: Freedom Programme
Summary: 6 sessions for people experiencing domestic abuse, to gain an understanding of the abuse and its impact.
Start date: Tuesday, 10 May 2022 from 9.30am-11.30am
Location: Howard Street Children's Centre
Aim of the session: this course will look at what abuse is, dynamics of abuse and coercive control, impact on parenting, healthy relationships and planning for the future.
Criteria for the session: women aged 18 and over who are currently experiencing domestic abuse or have separated. You can't access counselling whilst on the course.
Contact details for further information: referrals can be requested from Safenet. Email DAoutreachrochdale@safenet.org.uk or phone 0300 303581
Second stage support
These sessions are the next step for victims and survivors that have already attended a first stage intervention. Second stage interventions will help you to recover from abuse, rebuild confidence and self-esteem, and give you strategies to move forward.
Name of the session: Free From Harm
Summary: 17 week trauma-informed programme.
Aim of the session: this programme looks at safety planning, raising awareness, introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), abusive behaviour traits and patterns, dangers of social media, stalking and harassment, parenting, developing resilience and practical support.
Criteria for the session: women aged 18 and over who are experiencing or are affected by domestic abuse.
Contact details for further information: contact Rochdale Connections Trust (RCT) by email wendy@r-c-t.co.uk or phone 01706 345111
Name of the session: Haven Group
Summary: weekly drop-in group session.
Aim of the session: to offer a support network for women who have children that have been removed into care as a result of domestic abuse. Health and wellbeing promotion through cooking sessions, healthy eating, and peer support.
Criteria for the session: women aged 18 and over who have children who have been removed due to domestic abuse.
Contact details for further information: contact Rochdale Connections Trust (RCT) by email wendy@r-c-t.co.uk or phone 01706 345111
Name of the session: Phoenix Group
Summary: drop-in group sessions twice a week.
Aim of the session: to offer a support network for vulnerable women with children affected by domestic abuse. Health and wellbeing promotion through cooking sessions, healthy eating, and peer support.
Criteria for the session: women aged 18 and over who have children living with them.
Contact details for further information: contact Rochdale Connections Trust (RCT) by email wendy@r-c-t.co.uk or phone 01706 345111
Support sessions for children and young people
Name of the session: Best Life
Summary: 15 week course for children affected by domestic abuse within their own relationships.
Aim of the session: to support young people to recognise abusive behaviour. To help young people make safe choices about their own relationships. To raise awareness of domestic abuse.
Criteria for the session: Secondary school pupils identified as a young person in an abusive relationship or at risk of being in one. Selected schools only.
Name of the session: Happier Children
Summary: One to one and small group support. After school sessions at Rochdale Connections Trust (RCT).
Aim of the session: a programme of bespoke emotional therapy sessions, delivered in a safe environment at school or RCT.
Criteria for the session: children aged 5-16 years impacted by domestic abuse. Referrals from schools only. Children must have a parent receiving support from RCT.
Name of the session: Safe Space
Summary: domestic abuse support for children in safe accommodation, including therapeutic interventions.
Aim of the session: holistic assessment of child's needs. Strategies to build resilience and safety plans.
Criteria for the session: children aged 5-18 years impacted by domestic abuse and living in safe accommodation - this can be a refuge or properties with target hardening.
Contact details for further information: contact Rochdale Connections Trust (RCT) by email wendy@r-c-t.co.uk or phone 01706 345111