How we support adults

We know that asking for help isn’t easy, but our expert services can help keep you safe. Support in Kent and Medway is free and confidential.

We’ll help you find the best support for you – an in person drop in, support over the phone, helping you to move to a safe space or find an educational group to explore the tactics an abusive person uses and recovery programmes.

Support options

Call us for support

Domestic Abuse Drop-ins (One Stop Shops)

In person or virtual drop-ins offer free and confidential advice, information and support from a range of agencies like domestic abuse specialists, family law or housing.

You can stay anonymous if you want to. Find your nearest drop in here.

One to one support – over the phone

Support from an independent domestic violence and abuse advisor (IDVA) is usually provided over the phone. An IDVA can help to build safety plans, help you process what has happened, advocate for you with other services and offer practical and emotional support. The support usually lasts for about three months and is for those at medium or high risk.

Call Victim Support or use the Service Map to find your local provider.

Refuge – safe temporary housing

Refuge is a temporary safe place that you and your children can live in for up to one year. This could be in a communal home or self-contained living. Once accepted into a refuge you would be expected to move in quickly, within one or two days.

Kent & Medway have refuges for all genders.

How refuge works

You will be provided with a support worker to help secure longer-term housing, give emotional and practical support and put measures in place to keep you safer. They also offer support for children and young people.

You may be able to bring your pets.
You could get free travel to a refuge. The refuge can book your train or coach tickets and send them to your phone.

If you would like to go to a refuge call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

Sanctuary – making your home more secure

If the abusive person doesn’t live with you Sanctuary Access for Eligible Residents (SAFER) can offer a home visit and assessment to see what they can do to make it more secure. They might provide advice or security measures like crime deterrents or new door locks. Professionals in Kent can refer you using this form: SAFER Scheme referral form. The scheme is funded by Kent County Council, so you won’t need to pay anything.

Once they have provided additional security any children living with you can access expert support to help them understand and process witnessing and experiencing abuse.

In Kent any professional worker can refer you for the SAFER scheme e.g. a GP, domestic abuse support worker, housing team, early help worker, social worker etc.

In Medway you can call Oasis on 0800 917 9948 or visit Oasis Domestic Abuse Service. Referrals to a similar scheme in Medway can be made by professionals: Medway Sanctuary Scheme Referral July 25

Housing support – emergency accommodation

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and it isn’t safe for you to stay at home and you have nowhere else to go, you will be considered homeless. All councils have a duty to support eligible people who are homeless because of domestic abuse, and you should be considered in priority need for accommodation support.

You can approach any council in the country for homelessness assistance if you are fleeing domestic abuse, if you have a local connection or not, and it is unlawful for you to be referred to an area where you might be at risk.

Most councils will have information on how to apply as homeless on their websites. You don’t need to have reported any incidents to the police to be able to make a homeless application.

You can only pursue one application for homeless assistance, so consider the safety of the area you wish to approach before you apply.

Find Kent & Medway housing teams.

Group programmes

Sexual abuse support

Reporting the abuse to the police

It’s your choice if you report abuse to the police. If you decide to, they will refer you to their specialist team who will ask about the abuse and gather evidence with you.

You can ask Kent Police about the abusive person’s history (Clare’s Law) or they can apply for protection orders (Occupation Order, Stalking Protection Order or Domestic Violence Protection Order) if they are needed to keep you safe.

Find out how to report here.

You are not alone.

There is massive amounts of support out there. But if you don't know where to go or who to turn to, that's the hardest thing. I highly recommend the local domestic abuse support services. As a starting point and for long-term support too. I learnt so much from them. There is help.
Lilly

Protective Orders & Schemes

Clare’s Law

Non-Molestation Orders

Prohibitive Steps Orders - keeping children safe

This is an order to prevent a parent from taking children away. If both parents have parental responsibility, then either parent can spend time with the child and the Police can not intervene unless there are serious safeguarding concerns for the child or a court order.

If you are concerned that the other parent may try to remove a child from your care you can apply to court for an urgent Prohibited Steps Order.

You can apply yourself or contact a family law specialist.

Occupation Orders

Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO)

This is a civil order that can be applied for by the Police in Magistrates Court to protect you. A breach is contempt of court.

The orders are short-term and last no more than 28 days.

Find out more about how to report abuse to Kent Police.

Stalking Protection Orders

This is a civil court order that can be applied for by the Police in Magistrates Court to prevent the stalking behaviours. A breach is a criminal offence.

When somebody needs immediate protection from a stalker, the Police can apply for a Stalking Protection order. The order is an injunction that tells the other person things they must not do.

Find out more about how to report stalking to Kent Police.

Understanding Breaches of Court Orders

Court orders set out specific conditions that the person subject to the order must follow. If they fail to comply with these conditions, they are considered to have breached the order.