Support for Women
There are a range of services available locally for women who are victims or survivors of domestic abuse.
You can ring the Helpline on 0808 808 2241 for advice and support, to find out which services can help and to get in touch with other services. Or you can contact organisations directly.
In an emergency ring 999. Domestic abuse is taken very seriously by the police.
Sheffield Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 808 2241
Monday – Friday : 8am – 8pm, Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays 11am – 8pm
Outside of these hours call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
You can talk to us about the abuse and work through which services might work best for you with an experienced helpline worker.
The helpline offers:
- Advice, support and safety for people experiencing domestic and sexual abuse
- Advice and support on keeping yourself safe.
- A service to women, men, children, young people, practitioners and worried family members
- Up-to-date access to services in Sheffield and available refuge spaces
If you phone the helpline and we can’t speak your language we can arrange an interpreter. You can also email us in your language, we will translate it and get back to you.
Other ways to seek specialist local advice
You can email the helpline on info@idas.org.uk
You can use our new online chat facility – this is available everyday between 4pm and 6pm at www.idas.org.uk
Sheffield Domestic Abuse Service
Telephone: 0808 808 2241
The Sheffield Domestic abuse service in Sheffield provides a range of services for all victims (women and men) of domestic abuse and sexual violence, who are aged 16 years and over.
In addition to our helpline and live chat facility the service offers a range of services which includes : –
- A holistic assessment to identify your support needs and risk of domestic abuse.
- Safety planning & crisis intervention
- IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy) support and advocacy at the MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference)
- Community based 1:1 support and safety planning.
- Group programmes to help you overcome the harmful impacts of abuse.
- Support if you are going through criminal or civil proceedings.
- Practical support and advice; including housing, benefits, legal services, schools.
- Help to secure your home via our Sanctuary /Target Hardening scheme.
- Using a multi agency approach with both statutory and non statutory organisations to provide support, this may include referral to or sign posting to other agencies; BME services, mental health, drugs and alcohol, counselling, housing, advice centres and legal services.
All staff are trained to deliver specialist support, working in partnership with multiple agencies and the service user, with the aim of increasing the safety of the individual and their dependents.
Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)
Referrals are made by workers who feel women are high risk
MARAC is a meeting where different agencies talk about the risk of serious harm to people experiencing domestic abuse in their area and pool their knowledge of each case. They make safety plans to support those most at risk. The aim is to increase the safety and well-being of the adults and children involved, and to reduce the risk of them becoming repeat victims.
Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Website – http://www.hackenthorpelodge.org/
Telephone: 0330 223 0938
(Weekdays, 9am – 5pm)
Telephone: 0330 223 0099
(24/7 Helpline)
The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) is a facility providing support to victims of rape and sexual assault in South Yorkshire. The service supports males and females aged 16 years and above. Services include: forensic medical examination, emergency contraception and immediate crisis support. Forensic Medical Examinations allow evidence to be collected that can be used in the investigation of a crime, but also for evidence to be collected and securely stored for a period of time, so that the victim has the option of supporting a criminal investigation at a later date.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REPORT THE ATTACK TO THE POLICE TO ACCESS THIS SERVICE.
Sheffield Women’s Aid Refuge
Sheffield Women’s Aid offers safe, supportive refuge spaces for women and their children to live after leaving abusive relationships.
You can contact Sheffield Women’s Aid if you are a woman (16 years+) with or without dependent children. The service accepts women with dependent sons and daughters of all ages. Sheffield Women’s Aid can support you regardless of your sexual orientation, ethnicity or nationality. If you have a disability please contact Sheffield Women’s Aid to see if they can meet your needs. The service is accessible to women who have complex needs, such as drug or alcohol misuse issues and/or mental health support needs as long as those needs can be safely met in the accommodation available.
Sheffield Women’s Aid currently has two sites in the city, and women and their children will be housed for up to 6 months in the most suitable accommodation for their needs as described below. All the refuges are confidential addresses and have a range of security measures in place to help to keep you safe e.g. CCTV, door entry systems. You do not have to share a bedroom with another family and you do not have to leave your room or the refuge during the day.
Sheffield Women’s Aid contact details are as follows:
Referral line: 0114 236 6423
Email: mail@sheffieldwomensaid.org.uk
Website: Click Here
Sheffield Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre (SRASAC)
Call the Sheffield office: 0114 241 2766.
Website: www.sheffieldrapecrisis.org.uk
We offer a professional and confidential service, for women and men (aged 16 upwards) who have experienced sexual abuse and /or rape at any time in their life, in a safe and friendly environment. We offer direct services to victims of sexual crime including specialist face to face counselling. Telephone support helpline is provided via our national helpline.
The counselling service is for women and men (aged 16 upwards) who are survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Self-referral is preferred by phone, email or letter. We also provide an Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy Service in Sheffield, which is managed centrally by DRASACS (Doncaster). The service is available to adult men and women (ISVA), children & young people (CHISVA) who have been a victim of sexual violence, by professional referral
Sanctuary Scheme
Telephone: 0808 808 2241
Sanctuary Scheme is a service for people who cannot leave their homes but fear an attack from an ex-partner or family member. They can provide home security including window and door locks, personal alarms, fire-proof letter boxes and in extreme cases, safe rooms within the property.
You should contact the Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 808 2241 and ask about the Sanctuary Scheme, to see if you are eligible.
Shelter Homelessness Service
Furnival House, 48 Furnival Gate, Sheffield, S1 4QP
Telephone: 0344 515 1515
Website: https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help/local_services/sheffield
Shelter offer a wide range of help and advice on all housing and homelessness issues. They have a team of advisers and solicitors who may be able to help you with your problem – and if they can’t help, they work with other agencies who can.
Shelter have computers and telephones you can use to access the internet for advice, claim benefits, or bid on properties.
Issues they can deal with
- homelessness, or worried you’ll soon become homeless
- looking for accommodation
- having problems with your landlord
- being evicted or repossessed
- debt problems
- benefits issues
- problems with disrepair
- need help going to court regarding your housing
Even if your problem isn’t listed above Shelter may still be able to help – just give them a call to discuss.
Sheffield Mind
Telephone: 0114 2584489
Website: www.sheffieldmind.co.uk
Sheffield Mind offers a free individual counselling service to men and women and some group work including supportive social groups and an art group.
Saffron Sheffield (Sheffield Women’s Counselling and Therapy Service)
Telephone: 0114 275 2157
Website: www.saffronsheffield.org.uk 
Saffron Sheffield provides free, longer-term confidential counselling and psychotherapy for women aged 16 and over who have experienced abuse or trauma either as a child or in adulthood. This includes rape or sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect, domestic abuse or any other form of trauma.
Our therapy can take place face-to-face in our discreet, comfortable, women-only building not far from Sheffield city centre, online via video chat or over the telephone. Our counsellors and psychotherapists all share a commitment to a respectful, supportive and confidential relationship. We understand that it can be hard to find support and you may have worries about coming for counselling, so please do get in touch with our helpful and friendly team if you have any questions.
Sheffield Working Women’s Opportunities Project (SWWOP)
Telephone: 0114 2752040 Website: www.swwop.org
Outreach work: SWWOP provides a mobile outreach service, four evenings per week to any female street sex worker, working in Sheffield. During outreach, women can access condoms, clean needles, rape alarms, sandwiches and soup. SWWOP also provide advocacy information/advice, signposting and support to access and attend appointments. SWWOP has been working with female street sex workers in Sheffield since 1992 and have a lot of workers including volunteers with a lot of experience of the issues involved in sex work.
Support to exit sex work: As well as the outreach work, SWWOP offers intensive support to women wanting to exit sex work and drugs and make positive lifestyle changes, this includes access to drug treatment agencies and drugs counselling. SWWOP also provides daytime support which includes activities, alternative therapies and they have partnerships with many of the mainstream and voluntary sector projects in the city.
Vida Sheffield
Telephone: 0114 275 0101
Website: www.vidasheffield.org.uk
Visa Sheffield is an independent charitable organisation which has been working in Sheffield since 1994. We are committed to working in partnership with other voluntary and statutory agencies to bring a reduction in domestic abuse, by delivering a range of specialist services, training and campaigning to change people’s attitudes to domestic abuse:
- Training and events – to raise awareness and equip people to respond sensitively and effectively to domestic abuse (see website for details and dates : www.sdaf.org.uk)
- Development and delivery of specialist services – we are currently responsible for Eva Therapy Service
- Women’s Group is run by EVA and meets once a fortnight in a city centre location. It is open to women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse (including forced marriage and honour-based violence). There are activities such as making cards, painting cups, cake decorating or pampering. You’re welcome to join in as much or as little as you feel like, or just have a cup of tea and some cake if you don’t fancy it at all. You can also talk privately with a support worker or counsellor if you want to. Crèche and travel expenses are provided. If you would like to attend call Jane/Tracy on 0114 275 0101 for more information.
Young Women’s Housing Project
Telephone: 0114 2680580
Website: www.ywhp.org.uk
YWHP is a housing and support service for young women aged 16 to 25 who have been affected by sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or sexual/domestic violence.
We are based in Sheffield, and provide safe places to live, and specialist support to help young women survivors overcome the effects of abuse, get on with living their lives, and achieve the futures they want. We offer supported accommodation in single, shared and family flats and houses. We also offer floating support for young women in their own tenancies.
“I can already see the benefits of living here. I’m making progress in terms of independent living in the future and re-building my life, getting back to “normality” in an environment where I feel safe and secure”.
- Jane/Tracy on 0114 275 0101 for more information.
Mums In Need (MIN) Sheffield
Telephone: 0800 852 7414
Website: http://www.mumsinneed.com/
Mums in Need is a charity that supports mothers to overcome emotionally abusive relationships and coercive control.
Stalking
If you are worried that you are being stalked or harassed, it is important to get help.
