Women’s Aid

National Charity Working to End Domestic Abuse Against Women and Children

Who It’s For: Women and children across England experiencing domestic abuse at any stage — whether still in an abusive relationship, planning to leave, or rebuilding life afterwards. Their online directory also signposts to services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

What They Offer: Women’s Aid is a federation of around 185 member organisations delivering over 300 local services across England. As well as coordinating this national network, they provide direct online support to survivors through live chat, email caseworkers, a survivors’ forum, and a comprehensive Survivors’ Handbook. They campaign for legal and policy change and hold the largest national dataset on domestic abuse in the UK.

Support Includes:

• Live chat with trained support workers (available via website)
• Email support — responses within 5 working days
• Survivors’ Forum — peer support community for women
• Survivors’ Handbook — practical guidance on housing, safety planning, legal options and more
• Domestic Abuse Directory — searchable database of local specialist services across the UK
• Education and awareness programmes for young people
• Research, advocacy and campaigning for survivors’ rights

Referral / Access: Self-referral. Access support directly via the Women’s Aid website through live chat or email. To find a local service, use the Domestic Abuse Directory at womensaid.org.uk/domestic-abuse-directory. For urgent phone support, call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge) on 0808 2000 247, free and available 24/7.

Why This Matters: Domestic abuse rarely looks the same from the outside as it feels on the inside. Women’s Aid understands this — their support is non-judgmental, survivor-led, and available at whatever stage you’re at. Whether you’re not sure if what’s happening counts as abuse, need practical information about your options, or just want to talk to someone who gets it, they are here for you and your children.