Aylesbury Womens Aid

Supporting women and children against domestic violence

 

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Need Help?

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

We can support you and your family to live a life free from domestic abuse, no matter what stage of your relationship you are at, or if it is current or historic abuse you have experienced.

Our services are open to all women regardless of age, class, ethnic origin, disability, sexuality, nationality, religion or cultural beliefs, and for those with or without children.

Men can access support through a referral to the Male IDVA service.

If you would like free information and support, call our 24hr Support on 01296 437 777 for the following services:

Call our refuge on 01296 436 827 M-F 09.00-17:00 for:

Our services will support you to know your options and to make your own choices about how you want to live your life. You may eventually decide that you need to leave your relationship. It is important to be aware that this is can be a dangerous time as the abuser may increase the abuse if they suspect that you are planning to leave. There are some steps you can take that might help you to make your escape quickly and safely.

  • You may have to leave on the spur of the moment, plan an escape and get the support of a trusted neighbour or friend if possible.
  • Take your children with you; you may not be able to collect them later without going through the courts.
  • Keep some money saved for taxis or bus fares, and credit for telephone calls.
  • Try to ensure you have your own key to the house.
  • Have clothes ready for you and your children in case of a quick getaway.
  • Make sure you have important documents, bank account details, car documents, marriage and birth certificates, passports and medication with you when you leave.
  • Documents relating to any abuse experience such as notes, photos, crime reference numbers, diary, taped messages, emails, texts
  • If you are planning to leave bring things that may be precious to you and your children, for example favourite toys and clothes, pictures, jewellery.

After you have left the relationship you may need to consider:

  • Getting the support of key people such as family members, your children’s school and your employer/place of study that you have left. If you think that you might still be at risk, then they will know not to inadvertently give out any information about you, or to be more able to help you in case of an emergency
  • Seeking legal advice to put in place injunctions, and seeking help with enforcing them
  • Continuing to keep details about any abuse that you experience after you have left the relationship, and reporting it to the police (either through the emergency or non-emergency number)

You can continue to contact us for help and support even after you have a left a relationship. This may include working with us for safety planning, support with putting in place injunctions or around child contact issues.

You may also benefit from receiving support from some of our other services. This could include the Freedom Programme or Counselling, to start to make sense of what has happened in your relationships. Children or young people within the family may benefit from accessing the Young People’s Services.

Please call our 24hr Support on 01296 437 777 to speak to a support worker who can refer you to these services, or use the links below to find out more.

MYTH

She can leave
anytime

Planning or making the exit from an abusive relationship can be the most dangerous time. Many women are quite rightly scared to make that final step. Also, a woman may feel ashamed about what has happened or feel it’s her fault, or she may be worried about the future – what will she do for money or a home, how will the kids cope at a new school.

She may even be physically prevented from leaving her home. Sadly, many women do not feel they have the support from family, friends and employers that gives them the courage to leave.

Aylesbury Women’s Aid can give you the support and information needed if you want to leave.

Contact us

If you would like to contact us directly, either for support or to find out more about the services we offer, please fill out the form below or call 01296 437777 for Support or 01296 792143 for General Enquiries.

For Donations please email Donations@awaid.org.uk

We will aim to respond to your message within two working days. In an emergency please call 999.

Please note: Information that you provide to us will be held securely and only used for the purpose of responding to your query. Your details will be shared with the most appropriate staff member at AWA who will contact you to discuss your query and provide you with further information about our confidentiality process. We treat messages with the strictest confidentiality and will never disclose your message or details to anyone else.We may be required to break confidentiality where there are concerns relating to child protection, the immediate safety of an individual (i.e. a life or death situation), or where we are required to share information by law or to assist in the prevention or detection of a crime. If you are concerned about providing your personal information online, you can contact us on 01296 437 777.For more information see our privacy notice.