How Can I Help if I’m Worried About Someone?

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. It is likely that someone you know whether they be colleagues, family or friends may be suffering domestic abuse. 

If you’re worried a friend is being abused, let them know you’ve noticed something is wrong. They might not be ready to confide but try to find somewhere safe and quiet where they feel comfortable to talk to you. 

If someone discloses to you that they’re suffering domestic abuse: 

• Listen, and take care not to blame them. It is the perpetrator who is entirely at fault 
• Acknowledge it takes strength to talk to someone about experiencing abuse 
• Give them time to talk, but don’t push them to talk if they don’t want to 
• Acknowledge they’re in a frightening and difficult situation 
• Tell them nobody deserves to be threatened or beaten, despite what the abuser has said 
• Encourage them to express their feelings and allow them to make their own decisions.  
• Don’t pressure them to leave the relationship if they’re not ready – that’s their decision 
• Ask if they have suffered physical harm – if so, offer to go with them to a hospital or GP 
• Help them report the assault to the police if they wish to 
• Have support service information to hand e.g. Aylesbury or Wycombe Women’s Aid if it is a woman or Bucks SAASS if it is a man. 

If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm to someone, or it is an emergency, you should always call 999