October is Domestic Abuse awareness month, domestic abuse can happen to anyone regardless of profession, gender, sexual orientation, men and women as well as children living in a domestic abuse household can be victims.

It can be difficult for people to recognise and accept that they are a victim of domestic abuse, if you think that someone you know is being abused, it is important to speak up. A lot of people worry that it is none of their business, yet you could save a person’s life by speaking up. It’s better to speak up, even if you’re wrong, rather than saying nothing at all.

Often, people in domestic relationships need someone to help them out of the situation, and so one conversation can make all of the difference.  If you would like to find out more information about the support available so that you can help yourself or someone you know.

Domestic abuse isn’t always a physical act, it includes a range of abusive behaviour between people 16 years or older and can affect both men and women, who are or were intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender:

  • Physical
  • Sexual
  • Financial
  • Psychological or emotional

Children and young people can also be affected by the abuse that they see and hear, and they can be harmed as part of domestic abuse between adults. Young people may also experience abuse from their own boyfriend/girlfriend.

There are organisations in Barnsley, Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham who can offer you support, for both men and woman and LGBT+ communities.

Sheffield

Independent Domestice Abuse Service (IDAS) 
Website: www.idas.org
Helpline: 0808 808 2241

Domestic Abuse Coordination Team (DACT)

Website: www.sheffielddact.org.uk/domestic-abuse

(Click here to view their leaflet outlining support services)

Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy Service
Helpline: 0114 249 3920

Sheffield Domestic Abuse Outreach Service (including support for men)
Helpline: 0114 270 6999

Victim Support (including domestic abuse service for men) 
Helpline: 0114 275 8411

Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre
Helpline: 0808 802 0013

Sheffield Women's Counselling and Therapy Service
Helpline: 0114 275 2157

NSPCC Young People's Centre
Helpline: 0114 228 9200

Social Care Service (24 hours)
Helpline: 0114 273 4855

Barnsley
Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS)
Website: www.idas.org
Helpline: 03000 110 110 North Yorkshire and Barnsley

Victim Support
Helpline: 01226 243761

Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Helpline BSARCH
Helpline: 01226 298560

Rotherham
Rotherham Rise
Website: www.rotherhamrise.org.uk
Helpline: 0330 2020571

Victim Support
Helpline: 01709 361076

Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy Service
Helpline: 01709 823196

Rotherham Women's Counselling Service
Helpline: 01709 835482

Youth Start (13-19 year olds)
Helpline: 01709 255266

Doncaster
Doncaster Domestic Abuse Hub
Website: www.doncaster.gov.uk/domesticabuse
Helpline: 01302 737080

Doncaster Council Advice and Homelessness
Helpline: 01302 862043

Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling
Helpline: 01302 360421

Doncaster Victim Support
Helpline: 01302 365531

Doncaster Independent Domestic Violence Advocates
Helpline: 01302 737080

LGBT+
Say It
Website: www.sayit.org.uk/callitout

Galop
Website: www.galop.org.uk
Helpline: 0800 999 5428

BAME
Ashiana
Website: www.ashianasheffield.org 
Helpline: 0114 255 5740 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm)

Karma Nirvana

Website: www.karmanirvana.org.uk/

Helpline: 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm)

National

National Domestic Abuse helpline
Helpline: 0808 2000247

National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline
Helpline: 0800 999 5428

There are a number of free services that can provide further advice and help, some are listed below: