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Help if you're being abused
If you are in immediate danger, call 999
Ask for the police. If you cannot speak and are calling from a mobile, listen to the operator, cough or tap the phone if you can, and press 55 when prompted — this is the Silent Solution, and your call will be put through to the police. Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not tell the police where you are.
From a landline, if the operator can only hear background noise and cannot tell whether an emergency service is needed, you will be connected to a police call handler. If you are deaf or cannot use a phone, you can register in advance with emergencySMS — see how to register on GOV.UK.
Anyone can experience abuse — from a partner or ex-partner, a family member, or someone else. Most victims of domestic abuse are women: the Office for National Statistics estimates that 2.2 million females and 1.5 million males aged 16 and over in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2025 (ONS, November 2025).
This page brings together Civil Help's guides for getting protected, leaving safely, dealing with online and image abuse, going to the police and court, and situations where your visa depends on your partner. Each guide explains the law in more detail. You do not need to read them in order.
Getting protected now
Domestic Abuse Legal Protection
Non-molestation and occupation orders, Domestic Violence Protection Orders, and Clare's Law — asking the police whether a partner has a history of violence or abuse.
How do I get a non-molestation order?
The short answer, including the evidence that helps and how a solicitor can get an emergency order the same day.
Stalking Protection Orders
How Stalking Protection Orders work under the Stalking Protection Act 2019 — who can apply, the criteria, and what happens on breach.
Restraining Orders and Stalking Protection Orders
How restraining orders work in England and Wales — applying, how long they last, breach, and the civil options.
Forced Marriage Protection Orders
Protecting yourself or someone else from a forced marriage — the emergency procedure, who can apply, and what an order covers.
Leaving safely
Domestic Abuse Emergency Leaving Checklist
A safety plan for leaving — documents to take, who to call, and what to do in the first 72 hours.
Homelessness Support
How to ask your council for help if you have nowhere safe to live, including emergency accommodation (England).
Am I in priority need for homelessness?
A short check of the priority need categories. Being homeless because of domestic abuse gives priority need in England.
Homelessness Duties: Relief, Main Duty, and Reviews
The council's prevention, relief and main housing duties, and why leaving because of abuse may not count as making yourself intentionally homeless (England).
Council Housing Applications
Joining the housing register, and the higher priority given to people fleeing domestic abuse (England).
Universal Credit Housing Costs Element
How Universal Credit helps with rent, including the shared accommodation rate exemption for people who have lived in a refuge.
Online and image abuse
Removing Intimate Image Abuse (Revenge Porn)
Getting intimate images taken down, the Revenge Porn Helpline, and reporting to the police.
Intimate Image Abuse: The 2023 Online Safety Act Offences
The offences for taking, sharing or threatening to share intimate images, including deepfakes.
Dealing with Cyberstalking
Your protections against online stalking and harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and the Stalking Protection Act 2019.
Going to the police and court
I Am a Victim of Crime or Abuse — step by step
A step-by-step route through reporting, protection, support and compensation.
ISVAs and IDVAs
Free, independent advisers for victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse — what they do and how to be referred.
What is an ISVA and how do I get one?
The short answer on getting an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor.
Witness Special Measures
Screens, video links, recorded evidence and intermediaries for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses.
Section 28: Pre-Recorded Cross-Examination
How some vulnerable witnesses can be cross-examined on video before the trial instead of at it.
Victims' Code Rights
Your rights as a victim of crime, including information about your case, a Victim Personal Statement, and referral to support.
CICA Criminal Injuries Compensation
Claiming compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority — eligibility, time limits, and the tariff of injuries.
If your immigration status depends on your partner
If your leave to remain is based on your relationship, get advice urgently from an OISC-regulated immigration adviser before you make any application.
Spouse and Partner Visa Route
What happens to your leave if the relationship breaks down, including the exceptions for victims of domestic abuse.
No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Support
Applying to have the NRPF condition lifted, where domestic abuse can be a compelling circumstance, and council support for families with children.
Older or disabled adults
Where this applies
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