Where to get help

Details can also be found on the Dorset Domestic Violence and Abuse advice leaflet (pdf, 143kb) (opens in a new window) .

If any of the links to documents or web sites on this page are not working please use the feedback facility at the bottom of the page to notify us.

Dorset Police domestic abuse officers

•  Dorset Police's specialist domestic abuse officers can be contacted by calling 101 (please ask for the Domestic Abuse Unit)
•  In an emergency always dial 999

Outreach

There are two outreach services available in Dorset County: 

• The You First countywide outreach service  - freephone 0800 032 5204.   Information about how the service is progressing can be found on the You First Stakeholder Briefing (pdf, 19kb) (opens in a new window)  and there is also a leaflet (pdf, 395kb) (opens in a new window)  which explains more about the service. The service supports female and male victims. Referrals to You First should be made on the You First referral form (pdf, 48kb) (opens in a new window)

• The Dorset Women's Outreach Project (DWOP) covers the Weymouth & Portland and West Dorset areas and supports women only - freephone 0800 5877480.  More information about what the DWOP provides can be found on the DWOP leaflet (pdf, 197kb) (opens in a new window)

Please note that you may have to leave a message on an answer phone but someone will always come back to you. Calls to 0800 numbers are not free from mobile phones and may show up on itemised phone bills.

• National Domestic Violence 24 Hour Helpline 0808 2000 247

Refuges

• North Dorset 01747 858555

• Bournemouth 01202 547755

• West Dorset 01305 262444

• Poole 01202 748488 (can take men)

Please note that the Weymouth refuge is now closed. 

Advice on Housing Options

Information on help and support available can be found on the advice on housing options link.

For children

• Childline (opens in a new window)  0800 1111

• The Hideout (opens in a new window) website

For male victims

• Men's Advice Line (opens in a new window)  national helpline 0808 801 0327

For people committing domestic violence

• Respect (opens in a new window)  National Phoneline 0845 122 8609

Support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community

• Broken Rainbow (opens in a new window)  UK National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline 0300 999 5428 (Mon 2pm-8pm, Weds 10am-1pm, Thurs 2pm-8pm)

• Over the Rainbow 01202 257478

• The Intercom Trust (opens in a new window)  08456 020818 Helpline Leaflet Dorset (pdf, 1014kb) (opens in a new window)

Legal advice

Many local solicitors are able to help victims of domestic violence and abuse with legal advice and access to civil legal remedies. The National Centre for Domestic Violence (opens in a new window)  can also provide legal help and support and can be contacted on 0844 8044 999.

Stalking

There are links between domestic violence and stalking. The National Stalking Helpline (opens in a new window)  can be contacted on 0808 802 0300.

The National Network for Surviving Stalking (opens in a new window)  can also provide advice and support to anyone affected by or concerned about stalking.

• Domestic Violence Strategic Coordinator
  Name: Nicola Pengelly
  Email: n.pengelly@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 228516
  Full details for Nicola Pengelly