Find a domestic abuse refuge

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Refuges are safe houses to escape domestic abuse.

You do not need to have experienced physical abuse to stay in one.

Most are for women on their own or with their children.

Some refuges are trans inclusive.

Some housing services and safe spaces are for men.

Find out what it's like to live in a refuge.

Who can stay in a refuge

You can stay in a refuge if:

you're at risk of domestic abuse
there is space on the day you call
refuge staff have checked that it's a safe option for you and other people living there

You cannot usually book in advance. You need to be ready to move in if there is a space free.

How to find a refuge space

The easiest way to find a refuge space is to call a national helpline.

Advisers can also help with safety planning and preparing to leave.

Free domestic abuse helplines

These are run by charities. They can offer support and could help you find a refuge space.

Ask for an interpreter if you need one.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline
0808 2000 247
For women. Trans inclusive service.
24 hour helpline. 365 days a year
Online chat and BSL interpreter: Mon to Fri

Men's Advice Line
0808 801 0327
For men
Helpline: Mon to Fri, 10am to 5pm
Webchat: Wed 10am to 11:30am, Thurs 2pm to 4pm
Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk

National LGBT+ Abuse Helpline
0800 999 5428
For LGBTQ+ people
Helpline: Mon to Thurs, 10am to 8:30pm, Fri 10am to 4:30pm
Webchat: Same hours
Email: help@galop.org.uk

Karma Nirvana
0800 5999 247
For anyone at risk of honour based abuse or forced marriage
Phone: Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm
Email: support@karmanirvana.org.uk

Hestia Refuge Referral Line
0808 169 9975
For women looking for refuge spaces in London
Phone: Mon to Fri, 10am to 4pm
Email: refuge.space@hestia.org

Free travel to a refuge

You could get free travel to a refuge.

The refuge can book your train or coach tickets and send them to your phone.

Ask the Women's Aid live chat service or Men's Advice line about this.

Trans inclusive services

Most refuges are single sex spaces.

Some women's and men's services are trans inclusive but some are not. Non binary people may also find it hard to find a refuge space.

LGBTQ+ helplines

These helplines are staffed by LGBTQ+ advisers who can talk to you about safe options and trans inclusive services.

Ask for an interpreter if you need one.

National LGBT+ Abuse Helpline
0800 999 5428
Run by Galop for LGBTQ+ people experiencing abuse
Helpline and Webchat: Mon to Thurs, 10am to 8:30pm, Fri 10am to 4:30pm
Email: help@galop.org.uk

Loving Me
07902 478958
Supports trans and non binary people with domestic abuse
Email: help@lovingme.uk

Stonewall Housing
0800 6 404 404
Supports LGBTQ+ people with homelessness and housing
Helpline: Mon to Fri, 10am to 1pm
Webchat: Mon to Fri, 12 noon to 1pm

They all offer support by webchat, phone or email but are not refuge providers.

Specialist refuges and support

Some women find it harder than others to get a refuge space, or need specialist support.

Some refuges have spaces for women who cannot get benefits or other housing help.

Ask the National Domestic Abuse Helpline about your options.

You could also try some of these organisations. Most are small projects and charities that have a refuge or could help you to get support.

If you cannot get benefits for immigration reasons

These charities may be able to help if you have 'no recourse to public funds':

Southall Black Sisters
020 8571 0800
For Black and ethnic minority women
National helpline and casework support in some London boroughs

The Angelou Centre
0191 226 0394
For migrant women with no recourse to public funds
Specialist support and refuges in the North East

Safety4Sisters
0161 464 9505
For migrant women with no recourse to public funds
Small specialist refuge in Greater Manchester

Refuges for Black and ethnic minority women

These specialist refuges could also offer support to women who do not live in the refuge.

Anah Project
0300 102 1625
For Black and ethnic minority single women

IKWRO
0207 920 6460
For Middle Eastern, North African and Afghan women
Languages spoken: Kurdish, Farsi, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Turkish and English

Latin American Women's Aid
0207 275 0321
For Latin American, Black and ethnic minority women
Languages spoken: Spanish, Portuguese and English

Imkaan's website lists other specialist services for Black and ethnic minority women.