How can we help?
If you're worried about someone else's relationship you can call us on our Findaway Phoneline. We can help you talk through your situation, understand what is happening and how you might be able to support the person you are worried about.
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Our phoneline and webchat are operated by trained advisors. We offer practical information and signposting in relation to domestic abuse to adults (16 and over) worried about someone else. We know that supporting someone can be very challenging and lonely, particularly if no one else knows about the abuse. The focus of the call will be about how you can help the person you're worried about and is a space for you to talk about how you are feeling.
We will ask you some questions about your situation, but we won't pressure you to tell us anything you don't want to share, and we won't ask for any identifying information about the person you're worried about. We can help you explore the different ways you might be able to help the person you're worried about, but we won't give you advice or tell you what we think you should do.
The phoneline offers a space for confidential discussions but you must not identify anyone other than yourself. You can also remain completely anonymous yourself. You are in control of the information you share with us. When you call us we will explain our confidentiality policy and when we might need to share information, and you can also read our policies here: Confidentiality Policy & Safeguarding Policy.
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Please note that our phoneline is NOT staffed 24hrs, 7 days a week. However, we are happy to arrange calls out of hours and on weekends. If you would like a call back outside of our main operating hours (Mon-Friday, 9am-5pm), then please call the phoneline and leave a voicemail with a contact number and your preferred time to speak. Alternatively, you can complete the contact form below and someone from the Findaway team will call you back at a time convenient to you. We aim to be in touch within 2 working days.
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Please note Findaway is not an emergency service. If it’s an emergency or you need immediate help, call 999.
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Talk to us: 0300 140 0061
Workshops and Training
Be the Difference: Domestic Abuse Workshop
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Our workshops are free domestic abuse awareness sessions for community members who would like to know more about domestic abuse and how they can help.
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In our 3-hour workshop, we explore what domestic abuse is, what it isn’t, some of the signs we might recognise, the dynamics of abuse within relationships and the reasons why it's never as straightforward as 'just leaving'.
Most importantly, we will explore how we, as active community members, can support someone experiencing domestic abuse in a helpful and effective way.
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We all know somebody who has been affected by domestic abuse, and we can all help - join us to find out how!
PLEASE NOTE: This training is open to anyone regardless of their background or professional role and focusses on how we can all make a difference in our informal networks. If you are interested in training for practitioners, please email us at hello@wefindaway.org.uk where we can signpost you to the latest training opportunities for your role.
Peer-Support Groups
Findaway will be offering peer-support groups to family members and friends supporting victims of domestic abuse. These groups will aim to offer a safe space for you to come along and talk about your own experience and how it is currently affecting you. Peer support is important as it lets you know that you are not alone - there are many people going through the same experiences and emotions as you are.
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Peer support helps us to find common ground where we can have open and honest discussions. The groups will be peer-led and supported by trained facilitators. We will explore how we can keep ourselves safe, support the person we're worried about, and look at common themes we feel we need extra information on.
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Who else can help?
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There are lots of specialist support services for victims of domestic abuse. These services have useful information on their websites, and offer support that the person you're worried about will be able to access (if that's what they want to do).
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Findaway is a Sunderland-based service, if you live in Sunderland your local domestic abuse service is WWIN.
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If you're based outside of Sunderland you can find your local service using the Women's Aid Service Directory.
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The 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline is run by Refuge: 0808 2000 247
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Remember, in an emergency or if you or anyone else is in immediate danger always contact the police on 999. For more info go to: What if it's an emergency?
