Domestic Abuse Support — East of England & the East

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27

Immediate help

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 — free, 24/7
In an emergency call 999 (press 55 if you cannot speak on a mobile)
Non-emergency police: 101
⚠️ Use a safe device — a phone or computer your abuser cannot access. Calls, messages and browsing history can be monitored.

Support services in the East of England

Refuge — runs services across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and surrounding areas (refuge.org.uk)
Women's Aid Federation members — local services across the East (find yours at womensaid.org.uk — "Find a local service")
Galop — LGBT+ abuse support (galop.org.uk) · Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
National stalking helpline: 0808 802 0300

Service details change; the National Domestic Abuse Helpline can refer you to what is available in your area today.

What support looks like

A safety plan for staying, leaving, or after you've left
Refuge accommodation (location kept confidential for safety — never published)
Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs) who help with police and courts
Emotional support, and support for children

How this fits your family court case

FL401 applies for a non-molestation and/or occupation order — see our FL401 guide
Abuse is a recognised exemption from the MIAM requirement — you can go straight to court
Abuse evidence opens the legal aid gateway (see our legal aid guide)
Tell your Family Court Adviser (Cafcass) about any abuse — safeguarding is their first duty

Official links

Refuge helpline: https://refuge.org.uk/i-need-help-now/how-we-can-help-you/national-domestic-abuse-helpline
gov.uk domestic violence support: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-violence-and-abuse
Injunctions (FL401): https://www.gov.uk/injunction-domestic-violence

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and never publishes refuge locations. Not affiliated with any listed charity, HMCTS or gov.uk.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.