BSCB Information For Parents

If you are a parent experiencing domestic violence you may have many concerns over your children, including being:

Worried that you will be prevented from taking your children with you if you leave a violent relationship
Worried over contact your children may have with the abuser
Worried that you need financial or practical support to look after your children
Worried that your children have been traumatised by domestic violence and want extra support for them.
Worried that your children may be abducted.

If you are affected by domestic violence, you are not alone. You can talk over these concerns, confidentially, with a number of specialist, sensitive services. Services such as Birmingham Women's Aid will listen to you, support you and give you time and space to decide what you want to do. They won't judge you because of what you say or force you to make a decision you do not want to make.

It is important to remember that the abuse you have experienced, and your children have been exposed to, is not your fault.

Listed below are some of the organisations that can support you:

Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid (BSWA)

BSWA offers a range of services including advice, information, temporary accommodation and a counselling support service to women and children affected by domestic abuse.

The telephone helpline offers a listening ear, emotional support and practical information on BSWA services and other agencies.

If a woman decides that she no longer feels safe to remain in her home, Women's Aid can arrange for her and her children, to move to a refuge. They have refuge accommodation in Birmingham and Solihull which is accessible 24 hours a day. Refuge space can also be found elsewhere in the country if this is what a woman chooses

Helpline/ Refuge: FREEPHONE 0800 0732 606

Minicom: 0121 685 8519

www.bswaid.org

Birmingham Women's Advice & Information Centre (BWAIC)

Free counselling, information and support and self help groups for women.

Tel: 0121 212 1881

Breathe Again

A free confidential advice and information service for African and Caribbean women affected by Domestic Violence. Support includes emotional support, Immigration advice and assistance with Housing or emergency accommodation.

Tel: 0121 248 1068

Ashram Reducing Domestic Violence Project

RDVP is a specialised, but not specific, service for South Asian women living with or fleeing domestic abuse Provides comprehensive support, advocacy, information and advice to empower women to live more independently.

Ashram also runs a new counselling service for children and young people

Tel: 0121 764 3817

The Doli Project

Provides support to anyone who is affected by a forced marriage. Provides culturally sensitive advice and counselling.

Tel: 0845 658 1057

Website: www.thedoliproject.net

WAITS (Women Acting in Today's Society)

Support, advocacy & befriending for all women who have experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives. There is a particular focus on black and minority ethnic women.

www.waitsaction.org

Tel: 0121-440 1443

National Domestic Violence Helpline 24 hour freephone

www.womensaid.org.uk

Tel: 0808 2000 247

If you are a male victim of domestic violence, contact:

Victim Support Men's Helpline

Tel: 0800 328 3623

Services available: Helpline for male victims of sexual and domestic abuse. Provides an opportunity to talk in confidence and anonymously

M.A.L.E: Mens Advice Line & Enquiries

Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic violence whether in straight, gay, bi sexual or transgender relationship

www.mensadviceline.org.uk