of our service users in 2023/24 experienced domestic abuse.
experienced domestic and sexual abuse.
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of your culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, income, age or religion. It is an ongoing pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading, and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, by a partner or ex-partner.
Every person who comes in seeking support for domestic abuse has a story to tell. We are here to listen, to support and to help you recover. Our support for domestic abuse survivors is completely confidential, and we work in partnership with you so you feel a sense of control over your recovery process.
Safety Net offers a 4-tiered approach to provide wrap-around support after domestic abuse for adults, young people and children.
In the UK, children who witness domestic abuse are legally recognised as victims under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This acknowledges that exposure to abuse can have serious emotional and psychological impacts, even if the child is not directly harmed.
We offer domestic abuse support for children and young people between the ages of 3 and 18. Early therapeutic support, such as counselling for domestic abuse, can help prevent more serious emotional and behavioural problems from developing later on.
Our counsellors and trauma-informed practitioners offer 1:1 support and sometimes work with caregivers to help the family provide the best possible support. Teenagers can reach out to us directly for help.
We build relationships with children or young people so they feel safe, comfortable and contained. We never expect them to talk about their experience of domestic abuse. In our family therapy rooms, children can express their feelings through activities like crafts, creative writing, toys, music, and sand trays. For those unable to attend in person, we also offer video, phone, and email support based on the young person’s needs.
Domestic abuse can have a mental, emotional, physical, social and economic impact on you. The physical impact may be the most visible, but it’s often the toll on your mental health and self-esteem that lasts the longest, even after you have left the relationship.
On this page, we have highlighted how domestic abuse can affect men, women, children and transgender people. We are always mindful of how identity and differences interact with our experiences and tailor support to suit your particular needs.
1 in 4 women have experienced domestic abuse.
We provide women’s domestic abuse support. The trauma from domestic abuse can have a huge impact on your mind and body. You may experience the following symptoms:
1 in 7 men have experienced domestic abuse.
We know it’s difficult for men who have experienced domestic abuse to come forward and receive help. Society places an expectation on men to be seen as ‘strong’, and many feel embarrassed or ashamed to be seen as a victim. We provide domestic abuse support for men. You are not alone, and you don’t have to live in silence.
You may find you experience the following symptoms following domestic abuse:
We provide LGBTQ+ domestic abuse support. LGBTQ+ communities experience domestic abuse in a similar way to that of their cisgender peers through the context of their relationships. But alongside that, they may have their sexuality and gender identity used against them. Perpetrators use this tactic to retain power and control within a relationship.
This can include:
“The support I have received thus far has been incredible, and I can honestly say that my therapist has totally changed my outlook on my healing journey. Support from the office and other staff has also been very good. I’ve never felt alone or unheard at any point – I have been treated like a person and not just a number.”
