Support for our patients: Keeping safe
Worried about an adult in Devon?
If you suspect that a vulnerable adult is being abused, or you are being abused yourself and live within Devon Local Authority boundaries, please contact Adult Social Care on 0345 1551 007 (Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4pm), or call the out of hours Emergency Duty Service on 0345 6000 388. For more information, visit www.devon.gov.uk/adult-social-care/solutions/safe-from-abuse.
Worried about an adult in Torbay?
If you suspect that a vulnerable adult is being abused, or you are being abused yourself and live within Torbay Local Authority boundary, contact the Safeguarding Adults Single Point of Contact Team on 01803 219700 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or call the out of hours Emergency Duty Service on 0300 4564 876, or email tsdft.safeguardingalert@nhs.net. For more information, visit www.devonsafeguardingadultspartnership.org.uk/reporting-a-concern/report-your-concern-torbay-local-authority-boundaries.
Worried about a child’s safety? (Devon area)
If you are concerned about the safety of a child in Devon or want to speak to someone, or if you are a child worried about your own safety, contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) by completing the support form available on the website devoncountycouncil.outsystemsenterprise.com/MASH/homepage, call 0345 155 1071 or email mashsecure@devon.gov.uk and give as much information as you can. If a child is at immediate risk, contact the police on 999.
Worried about a child’s safety? (Torbay area)
If you are concerned about the safety of a child in Torbay or want to speak to someone, or if you are a child worried about your own safety, contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01803 208100 or email mash@torbay.gov.uk, or call the out of hours Emergency Duty Service on 0300 4564 876. For more information, visit www.torbaysafeguarding.org.uk. If a child is at immediate risk, contact the police on 999.
National domestic abuse and violence support services
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
The freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247. If calling is difficult, you can also access a live messaging service with advisors available 10am-10pm Monday – Friday at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.
Women's Aid
Women’s Aid is a national charity supporting women and children facing domestic abuse. Visit their website www.womensaid.org.uk to access a range of helpful information and advice, as well as their live chat and email service.
Refuge
Operating safe houses across the UK for women and children escaping domestic violence, and the address is confidential. For more information, visit refuge.org.uk or call the 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247.
ManKind helpline
A support service for male victims of domestic abuse and violence, which includes a support helpline. Visit mankind.org.uk or call 0808 800 1170 to access support.
Respect: Men’s Advice Line
A helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and violence. Call 0808 8010 327 or visit mensadviceline.org.uk for more information.
Galop: LGBT+ Helpline
The Galop Helpline is for LGBT+ people aged 18 years and over who are experiencing abuse or violence and offers emotional support and guidance via their national helpline 0800 999 5428. You can also email help@galop.org.uk to access support or use their webchat service available via their website at Galop - the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity.
Local domestic abuse and violence support services
Fear Free: Interpersonal Trauma Response Service (ITRS)
Fear Free (ITRS) provides local support, advice and protection from domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking for patients who are registered with the Bovey Tracey & Chudleigh Practice. You can contact the team on 01752 963 493 or email ITRS@fearfree.org.uk. Visit www.fearfree.org.uk/refer/devon for more information.
Devon Domestic Abuse Alliance (DDAA)
An alliance of organisations supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse across Devon aged 16 years and over offering the following services:
- Domestic abuse support tailored to your individual needs
- A range of accommodation and housing options based on your needs
- Access to one-to-one, group and peer support as well as trauma-focused therapy options
- Access to specialist support including substance use, and homelessness
- Access to Behaviour Change support, which helps people who harm break the cycle of abuse
For more information, visit www.ddaa.org.uk. You can also contact the service directly on the freephone number 0808 281 6161 or email hello@ddaa.org.uk (opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).
Torbay Domestic Abuse Service (for residents of Torbay)
Torbay Domestic Abuse Service (TDAS) provides support for men, women and children in Torbay who need advice and protection from domestic abuse and violence. For more information, visit www.areyouok.co.uk/directory/torbay-domestic-abuse-service, or phone 01803 698869 or 0800 916 1474 or email tdas@sanctuary-housing.co.uk.
Intercom Trust
Intercom Trust is a person-centred, client-led, inclusive charity who supports LGBT+ people to offer a range of services such as counselling and Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Support based in Plymouth. For more information, visit www.intercomtrust.org.uk/get-help or 0800 612 3010.
More Positive Me
More Positive Me supports people with low self-esteem and low self-worth to gain knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse and its intricacies. They empower people on their journey to heal and get their lives back on track by supporting their growth, confidence, and self-belief, enabling them to make sense of what happened and move forward with their lives. For more information, visit www.morepositiveme.co.uk or call 07510 515160.
Phoenix Rising CIC
This service offers one-to-one support and advice over the phone, as well as face to face support in Newton Abbot and Torbay. They also offer courses for survivors related to healing from trauma life after domestic abuse, craft sessions and peer support groups. For more information and to self-refer, visit www.phoenixrisingcic.com
or www.facebook.com/people/Phoenix-Rising-CIC/100063610380976.
Refuge4Pets
Refuge4Pets provides a specialist Animal Fostering Service across Devon and Cornwall to victims and survivors of domestic abuse so that they can leave with their much-loved animals. For more information, visit refuge4pets.org.uk or call 0300 4000 121.
Safe Foundation
The Safe Foundation supports adults and children experiencing difficulties in life through their experience of domestic abuse. Their community-based therapeutic programmes are delivered through a range of means including individual and group counselling, organisational guidance, training, and workshops. For more information, visit wearesafe.org.uk/therapy or call 03030 300 112.
Sexual abuse and violence support services
Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
The Sexual Assault Referral Centre service provides medical support, examination and counselling after rape or sexual assault across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. To access support, visit sarchelp.co.uk/get-help or call the 24-hour helpline on 0300 303 4626.
Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services
This service offers confidential, professional support to survivors of rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse in Devon, regardless of the time elapsed since the abuse has taken place. This service can provide specialist support online, in person or by phone. Visit devonrapecrisis.org.uk or call 01392 204174 to access support.
Momentum
Momentum is a peer support group for adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Momentum offers individual and group support and can help you find specialist therapy or counselling if needed. For more information, visit www.momentumdevon.org.uk or call 07773 151080.
Operation Emotion
This is a Plymouth based charity that provides services to male survivors of sexual abuse. They run a range of support options, including a support group based in Paignton. To access support, visit operationemotion.co.uk or call 07837 321514 / 07539 810096 / 07721 069496 or email opem@pm.me.
The Survivors Trust
A free, national helpline 7 days a week for people aged 16+ who are survivors of rape or sexual abuse and violence. A fully inclusive service, providing safe, non-judgemental support to survivors as well as an online ISVA service. For more information, visit thesurvivorstrust.org or call the helpline on 08088 010818.