Useful links and further reading
You may find the following links and further reading useful. Please click on the desired category to take you to the relevant section.
Refuges, advice and outreach services
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge)
0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours)
nationaldahelpline.org.uk - Women's Aid
Further information on domestic abuse. Plus research publications and other resources
womensaid.org.uk - Refuge
Supports abused women and children
refuge.org.uk - Clare's Law
Durham Constabulary's domestic violence disclosure scheme
durham.police.uk - Respect Men's Advice Line
Support for men affected by domestic abuse
0808 801 0327 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm)
mensadviceline.org.uk - The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Support and advice for victims of sexual abuse in County Durham and Darlington
03333 448283 (option 2) - Covering your tracks online
Information on browsing advice websites discreetly
Staying safe online
Children
- Durham County Council First Contact
Report a concern about a child
03000 267 979
durham.gov.uk/firstcontact - NSPCC
Advice and information on children's rights and safeguarding children
0808 800 5000
nspcc.org.uk - Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership
durham-scp.org.uk
Human rights and immigration
- Citizens Advice
Independent advice on a range of subjects, from finance to employment rights
Adviceline (England) 0800 144 8848
citizensadvice.org.uk - Asylum Aid (Helen Bamber Foundation Group)
Free legal advice and representation for people seeking asylum
helenbamber.org - Home Office UK Visas and Immigration
gov.uk - Karma Nirvana
Advice and support for victims of so-called ‘honour-based’ abuse and forced marriage
0800 5999 247
karmanirvana.org.uk - Forced Marriage Unit
020 7008 0151
fmu@fcdo.gov.uk - Council of Europe
Gender equality and human rights
coe.int
Financial advice and benefits
- Citizens Advice
Adviceline (England) 0800 144 8848
citizensadvice.org.uk - Jobcentre Plus
gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus - Durham County Council
Welfare rights and council services
durham.gov.uk - Turn2us
Helps people in financial need to access welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help
turn2us.org.uk - National Debtline
Advice on debt and finance management
0808 808 4000
nationaldebtline.org - MoneyHelper
Free, impartial money guidance (replaced the Money Advice Service)
0800 011 3797
moneyhelper.org.uk - StepChange debt advice charity
Can give you a no-obligation assessment of debt and repayment capabilities
0800 138 1111
stepchange.org - PayPlan
Debt and financial advice
payplan.com - Stop Loan Sharks
Advice on reporting illegal money-lenders
0300 555 2222 (24 hours)
stoploansharks.co.uk
Housing
- Durham County Council Housing Solutions
Get advice and find out how to make a homeless application
Housing Advice Line 03000 268 000
If you have nowhere to sleep tonight: 08081 968 406
durham.gov.uk/homelessness - Durham Key Options
Make an application for housing or discuss housing allocation
durhamkeyoptions.co.uk
Legal justice system
- Durham Constabulary
Emergency: 999
Non-emergency: 101
durham.police.uk - Victim Support
08 08 16 89 111 (free, 24 hours)
victimsupport.org.uk - Legal aid and domestic abuse
Our legal aid page
gov.uk
Statistics and research
- Office for National Statistics
Domestic abuse statistics for England and Wales
ons.gov.uk - Domestic Abuse Commissioner
domesticabusecommissioner.uk - SafeLives
safelives.org.uk
LGBT+ support and advice
- Galop: National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
0800 999 5428 (Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Wednesday and Thursday until 8pm)
galop.org.uk - MESMAC
LGBT+ support in the North East
mesmac.co.uk
Health
- NHS 111
Urgent medical help that is not an emergency
111
111.nhs.uk - Durham County Council adult social care
Services for vulnerable adults, mental health support, and people with a learning or physical disability
durham.gov.uk