WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY

Southall Black Sisters do not provide an emergency or 24 hour service. If you need help out of hours we advise you to contact the police on 999 or one of the emergency helplines listed below. If we do take your case on within office hours we will continue to work on your case out-of-hours if necessary to ensure your safety.

Domestic violence is a crime. If there has been a violent incident or a threat of violence made against you or someone you know, dial 999 (minicom 0800 112 999). If there is no immediate threat but you wish to report a crime of violence, we can help you contact the police and we may be able to go with you to the police station.

A male or female officer may come to see you initially. Most forces have specially trained police officers attached to the Domestic Violence Unit or the Community Safety Unit. You should ask the officer for his or her name and badge number. Once the initial risk to your safety is over you can ask to speak to a female officer. The police should also provide you with an interpreter if necessary.

Once you have reported the violence to the police they will decide whether there is enough evidence to prosecute the person who abused you. Often the police will ask you if you agree to them prosecuting the person who abused you (pressing charges). If you don’t want the police to press charges they usually won’t. For more information on being a witness in a criminal prosecution you can contact the police officer dealing with the case, your local domestic violence or community safety unit or Victim Support on the following numbers

• Contact the freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge: 0808 2000 247(with a minicom service and language-line facility)
• Refuge Crisis Line (London wide): 0870 599 5443.
• Manchester Domestic Violence Helpline: 0161 636 7525.
• The Domestic Violence Helpline, Salford - 0161 736 0737.
• Nottingham Women’s Aid Advice Centre: 0808 800 0340.
• BAWSO(For black women in Wales who are victims of domestic abuse)Free 24hr helpline: 0800 7318147
• Victim Support: www.victimsupport.org.uk or call 0845 30 30 900.
• Shelterline, for housing advice: 0808 800 4444.
• Samaritans: 08457 909090 – The Samaritans are a nationwide charity which provides 24-hour confidential emotional support for anyone in crisis.
• National Child Protection Helpline (NSPCC): 0800 8005000 – This is a free, confidential service for anyone concerned about children at risk, including children themselves. The service offers counselling, information and advice.
• Your local Social Services Emergency Duty Team.
• Your local Homeless Persons After Hours Unit Team.
• Forced Marriage Unit (FMU), Foreign Commonwealth Office Advice on forced marriages: 0207 008 0151.

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