Domestic abuse: where to get help and how to stay safe online

Quick exit →

Need to leave this page fast? Use the Quick exit button at the side of the screen. It stays there as you scroll.

If you are in danger now, contact 999. Deaf people can use 999 BSL to make an emergency video call through a BSL interpreter.

Domestic abuse is not only physical. It can be controlling behaviour, threats, taking your money, checking your phone, or stopping you seeing friends and family. It can happen to anyone. It is never your fault, and you do not have to deal with it alone.

This page lists places where deaf and hard of hearing people can get help, and how to stay safe when you use your phone, tablet or computer.

Support from CDA

Our Independent Domestic Abuse Advisors are deaf specialists. They offer confidential support in BSL or English across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

• Find out about our domestic abuse service and watch our BSL videos
• Book a confidential meeting
• Email office@cambsdeaf.org

Stay safe on your phone and online

Technology can be used to control or watch someone. This could be reading your messages, tracking where you are, logging in to your accounts, or using a smart doorbell or camera at home. If you think this is happening, these free guides from domestic abuse charities can help.

• Refuge Tech Safety: step by step guides to make your phone, email, social media and other accounts secure, plus a Home Tech Tool that shows which devices in your home could be misused. Go straight to the guides.
• Women’s Aid: Cover your tracks online: how to hide which websites you have visited, and how to keep your email private.
• Our own BSL clips on technological abuse and tracking apps are in the videos section of our domestic abuse page.

Some things to remember:

• If you can, use a device the other person cannot get into, such as a computer at a library, at work or at a friend’s house.
• The Quick exit button at the side of the screen takes you away from this page quickly, but the page will still be in your browser history.
• Changing passwords or settings may be noticed. Refuge suggests reading its safety information before you change anything.

National support for deaf people

• SignHealth Domestic Abuse Service: a specialist service for deaf people, with support in BSL. Use the Deaf Abuse Advice live chat on their website, text 07800 003421 (text only) or email da@signhealth.org.uk.
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge: for women. You can contact an adviser through a BSL interpreter (Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm), use live chat, or fill in the online form and ask them to contact you at a safe time.

Other organisations

• Women’s Aid: information, a live chat and a directory of local services for women.
• Men’s Advice Line: support for men experiencing domestic abuse, including web chat.
• Galop: support for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse. Email help@galop.org.uk or use the chat on their website.
• Surviving Economic Abuse: help if someone is controlling your money, running up debts in your name or stopping you from working.
• Bright Sky: a free website and app with practical information about domestic abuse and a directory of local services.
• Chayn: online information for survivors of abuse in several languages.
• GOV.UK: Domestic abuse, how to get help: the government’s guide to support and your rights.

If you are worried about your own behaviour

If you think you are hurting or controlling your partner or someone in your family, the Respect Phoneline offers confidential help to change. Email info@respectphoneline.org.uk or use the web chat on their website.

For professionals

SafeLives has guidance and resources for people who work with victims of domestic abuse. CDA also runs training on supporting deaf people. Email office@cambsdeaf.org to find out more.