Children and young people
Are you aged between 11-18 and worried about life at home?
If someone is in immediate danger and their life is threatened, they should dial the Police on 999; if you are unable to talk, once connected to 999 press 55 and the police will attend. If it is not an emergency but you need help from the police, please call 101. For non-emergencies you can also report a crime online.
Are the adults in your home arguing or hurting each other?
Are you feeling any of the following:
- Scared
- Worried
- Angry
- Sad
Talking to a safe adult can really help. Examples include teachers, learning mentors or other safe adults at school. When you're not at school speak to other adults you trust, for example grandparents or other relatives, close family friends and club leaders.
Remember your friends can be a great source of help to you but they may not be able to support you to be safe. Still speak to adults if you are unsafe or need help.
If you are in danger you should call 999
- Call 999. Once the operator has spoken to you, press 55 if you are too scared or unable to speak. Do not hang-up and leave the phoneline open if you can, even if you can't speak.
If you need to talk to someone or ask for help, there are services that can help you. Remember you can talk about anything.
- You can call Childline on 0800 1111
- If you have a social worker, family support worker or any other support worker share your worries with them and they will find ways to help you
- Any safe adult
Coventry resources
More online resources
What is domestic abuse?
Abusive behaviour can consist of any of the following:
- Physical abuse e.g. hitting, kicking, hair pulling or slapping
- Emotional abuse e.g. shouting, name calling, swearing or making someone feel bad about themselves
- Being forced to see or do things you don't want to do, including anything of a sexual nature
- Scary or threatening behaviour e.g. throwing things or threats to hurt you or someone else
- Taking control over aspects of your parents everyday life, such as where they can go, who they can see, what they can wear and when they can sleep
- Financial abuse e.g. not allowing your parent to have enough money, clothing or food. Not allowing them to go to work or college, removing their means to escape the abuse.
It does not matter is this behaviour happens once or lots of times, you can still ask for help.
For more information on the types of domestic abuse visit here
Click here to watch a short video about how to recognise domestic abuse and how to get help.
Teen relationships - Is my relationship abusive?
- Are you frightened by your partner?
- Is your partner violent to you or do they hurt you in anyway?
- Do they call you names or put you down?
- Are they possesive or jealous?
- Do they stop you from seeing your friends or try to isolate you from your family e.g. talking badly about them
- Do they tell you what you can and can't do?
- Do they monitor your movements, social media or phone use?
- Are you being forced to do something sexually or criminally that you are not comfortable with or haven't consented to?
- Do they take away your money or prevent you attending education?
Are you experiencing any of these, some or all of the time? If so you may be in an abusive relationship.
Remember anyone can experience domestic abuse, regardless of gender. Everyone has the right to enjoy a healthy relationship that is loving and safe. You are not alone, other young people can experience this too and there is help for you.
For more information about types of domestic abuse visit here
Click here to watch a short video about how to recognise domestic abuse and how to get help.
If you are worried about the way you or a friend is being treated talking to a safe adult can really help. Perhaps there is an adult you can trust, such as a family member, a teacher, a youth worker or a neighbour, who you can talk confidentially to about what’s happening.
Remember your friends can be a great source of help to you but they may not be able to support you to be safe. Still speak to adults if you are unsafe or need help.
If you are in danger you should call 999
- Call 999. Once the operator has spoken to you, press 55 if you are too scared or unable to speak. Do not hang-up and leave the phoneline open if you can, even if you can't speak.
If you need to talk to someone or ask for help, there are services that can help you. Remember you can talk about anything.
- You can call Childline on 0800 1111
- If you have a social worker, family support worker or any other support worker share your worries with them and they will find ways to help you
- Any safe adult you trust
Coventry resources
If you are 16+ you can contact any of these agencies
Coventry Haven Women's Aid
Coventry Haven Women’s Aid provides the following services
- Safe To Talk Helpline support: 0800 111 4998
- General enquiries: 02476 444 077
- Safe emergency accommodation
- Community and advocacy support
- A women’s centre (called The Listening Post)
- Community support groups
- IDVA - Help with criminal and civil legal proceedings
- Legal clinic with local solicitors
- Specialist services for FM/HBA and FGM
- Drop-In Sessions - No appointment needed
Click here for more information about Coventry Haven Women's Aid.
Panahghar
Panahghar is a specialist by and for BAME charitable organisation, providing free dedicated multi-lingual support, advice and advocacy and access to safe refuge for victims of domestic abuse in Coventry, Leicester and Solihull.
Panahghar provide the following specialist domestic abuse support in Coventry:
- BAME specific refuge accommodation with specialised Family Support
- Outreach & IDVA Service
- Safe To Talk Helpline support: 0800 111 4998
- Panahghar 24hr multi-lingual Helpline: 0800 055 6519
- Immigration Support Service specialising in rights for victims who are No Recourse To Public Funds (NRPF), ensuring those with insecure immigration status can still access appropriate safe support
Click here for more information about Panahghar
Relate
If you are a domestic abuse victim (16+) and need support with the police or courts, Relate can offer an indepdent advocate (IDVA) to help you feel safer and navigate the criminal and civil justice system.
Contact Relate on 024 7622 5863
Valley House
Valley House offers Supported Accommodation to victims aged from 16 years, who are victims of domestic abuse. This also includes their families (children and young people).
All properties are fully furnished. We provide accommodation for families with older male children and have accommodations which are adapted for disabilities. Valley House is also able to take in family pets in some of the properties.
The support offered consists of:
- Risk assessments and safety planning
- 1 to 1 case work and structured group work
- Court support for service users involved in criminal justice and civil proceedings
- Family support work with children
- Sign posting and advocacy
- Counselling
- Ongoing emotional and practical support
- Service user wellbeing one to one sessions and group work
- MARAC Referral & IDVA support
Service user can also have up to 3months support within the community when they have moved into their own accommodation.
Referrals into the Domestic Abuse service will be taken 24 hours a day. Referrals can either be taken from professionals or self-referrals either by phone or by attending our office: 02476 266 280
Click here for more information about Valley House
More online resources