Domestic abuse
Lockdown measures during Covid-19 have increased the risk for vulnerable people in abusive relationships, many of whom will be living with their abusers.
Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, age, disability, religion or ethnicity. It can include psychological, emotional, sexual, financial and physical abuse.
Domestic abuse often takes place behind closed doors and between partners or family members. Any behaviour or pattern of behaviour that is controlling, coercive, threatening or violent is abusive.
Help is available - don't suffer in silence.
Report it
Domestic Abuse is a crime. To report it, contact Surrey Police on 101. In an emergency dial 999.
If you are worried about someone you know, you can also report domestic abuse anonymously to Crimestoppers.
Your options
The Council may be able to help you through one of the following schemes (help offered will depend on your circumstances, including immigration status):
- Sanctuary Scheme - offering a range of individually tailored security improvements, enabling victims to stay safely in their own homes.
- Surrey Mobility Scheme - helping existing tenants of social landlords transfer to alternative accommodation within Surrey.
- Private rented accommodation - help with finding alternative accommodation. This may include assistance with some of the costs involved, such as security deposits and bonds.
- Making a homeless application - you have the right to make an application to any council as homeless. However, the relevant criteria need to be met before a council has a duty to find you somewhere to live.
Information regarding legal issues such as injunctions, occupation orders and exclusion orders is also available, as well as referrals to agencies who can assist in obtaining them.
For more information on the above contact Reigate & Banstead Housing Options on 01737 276790 (Monday - Friday 10am - 12pm and between 1pm and 3pm).
Other local advice and support
Help and support is available locally at:
- East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services (ESDAS) 01737 771350
- Surrey Against Domestic Abuse website and helpline 01483 776822
- Your Sanctuary offer a confidential online chat service, so you won’t be overheard. There is also a live translation option.Victim Support Surrey 0845 30 30 900
- Download a copy of the East Surrey Contact Directory for Domestic Abuse (PDF document [150.9Kb]).
National advice and support
- National 24hr Helpline 0808 2000 247
- Samaritans 08457 909090
- Childline 0800 1111
- Mens Advice Line 0808 801 0327
- Victim Support
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- NSPCC - 0808 800 500 - free 24 hour advice for adults worried about a child.
- National Centre for Domestic Violence - 0844 8044 999 - free advice on emergency injunctions.
- Change that lasts - Change that Lasts is a new campaign about domestic abuse. Women’s Aid is running free training in East Surrey for anyone who wants to break the silence on domestic abuse.
How to delete your viewing history
See - Keeping yourself safe (Women's Aid website) - for instructions on how to cover your tracks and delete your viewing history to minimise the chances of webpages you have been looking at being found by someone else.
This is guidance only which cannot completely cover your history. This can only be done if you use a different computer altogether. Using a library computer may be helpful - find your closest library on the libraries page of Surrey County Council's website.