Respond to Abuse

The Respond to Abuse Advice Line

Respond to Abuse is a resource for employers to advise them on how to approach disclosures of domestic abuse by their employees, particularly in light of Covid-19, and to triage such employees into the appropriate local specialist domestic abuse services.

Employers who are seeking advice can either call 0203 8793695 or email [email protected] between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday for support.

It offers advice to employers that they can use to support employees, including

• COVID-19 related support, recognising the fact that ‘Home is not always safe’
• The use of business resources to provide a response
• Increasing pathways to specialist support
• Risk assessment completion

*Please leave a message or contact us via the email above if you do not get through to the advice line the first time. These numbers are ONLY for employers trying to access information about responding to domestic abuse. For all other enquiries, please call Hestia's Main Reception on +44 (0) 20 7378 3100.

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Advice Line FAQs

Who is the Advice Line for?

The Respond to Abuse Advice Line is available to any business or organisation in the UK who would like free support, guidance or information regarding domestic abuse and how to support employees and colleagues enduring domestic abuse in the workplace.

How is the Advice Line operated?

The Respond to Abuse Advice Line is run by trained and qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) who will respond to any calls or queries from employers, employees or others with respect and confidentiality.

IDVAs at the Advice Line can offer support, guidance and information to employers, managers and HR leads and others regarding issues relating to domestic violence and abuse.

Is the Advice Line confidential?

Yes. The Advice Line is 100% confidential and free.

What types of issues/concerns can someone contact the Advice Line for?

• Any questions, concerns or queries regarding domestic abuse including how to support members of staff enduring, witnessing or perpetrating domestic abuse.
  
  
• Advice and support around children experiencing domestic abuse.
  
  
• Guidance around organisation’s policies and procedures.

When is the Advice Line open and how can contact be made?

The Advice Line is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm via phone on 0203 8793695 or email [email protected].

If you need to leave a voicemail we will respond within 24 hours on weekdays. Please note the Advice Line is not open on bank holidays or weekends.

Due to the nature of the Advice Line, if a call is made out of hours or when the Advice Line is busy, staff will never return the missed call of someone who hasn’t left a voicemail with their contact details, as our IDVAs will not know if it is safe to do so. Therefore if the phone is not answered please do leave a message with your name and a safe contact number or email address and we will be in touch within 24 hours (or 48 hours during weekends and bank holidays).

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The Advice Line is particularly important right now; there has been a 47% increase in downloads of the Bright Sky app during lockdown and an over 30% increase in people trying to access Hestia domestic abuse services throughout Covid-19. More people have been working from home, which may not always be a safe space, and it may be more difficult for employers to notice changes in behaviour or when their staff are struggling.

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Crimestoppers is an independent charity that gives people the power to speak up and stop crime, 100% anonymously. By phone and online, 24/7, 365 days a year. No police contact. No witness statements. No courts. Call free on 0800 555 111, or fill in their quick, easy & 100% anonymous online form here.

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