Chameli UK is here to help. If you are unsure about what to do or need advice, you can call us on 0208 672 6581 or you can send us an email support@chameliuk.org. Call 999 if it’s an emergency or you’re in immediate danger.
There is never an excuse for domestic abuse, no matter what the circumstances are. Household isolation instructions as a result of coronavirus do not apply if you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse. If you feel at risk of abuse, there is help and support available to you, including the police, online support, helplines and refuges. Here are some ways you can get help:
Codeword scheme: Safe Space
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for ‘ANI’ in a participating pharmacy. ‘ANI’ stands for Action Needed Immediately but also phonetically sounds like the name Annie. If a pharmacy has the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo on display, it means they’re ready to help. They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services. Pharmacies such as Boots & Superdrug provide help, to find your local Safe Space, click here.
Support a friend if they’re being abused
If you are worried that someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, you can call Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free, confidential support, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. Visit the helpline website to access information on how to support a friend.If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm to someone, or it is an emergency, always call 999.
Report it
If you, or someone you know, is a victim of domestic abuse find out how to report domestic abuse.If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999 and listen to the questions from the operator and, if you can, respond by coughing or tapping on the handset.
Call 999 from a mobile
If prompted, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard and this will transfer your call to the police.
Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.
Call 999 from a landline
If the operator can only hear background noise and cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, you will be connected to a police call handler.
If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick up again. When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about your location should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.
If you are deaf or can’t verbally communicate
You can register with the emergencySMS service. Text REGISTER to 999. You will get a text which tells you what to do next. Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger.
Find out more information here:
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