Advice if you might become homeless

Domestic abuse includes any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, violent or abusive behaviour. Abuse may be:

• emotional
• physical
• psychological
• sexual
• financial
• coercive or controlling

Domestic abuse can happen between partners, ex-partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.

If you feel afraid of someone close to you, you may be experiencing domestic abuse.

Abusive behaviours

You might be experiencing domestic abuse if your partner:

• calls you names or puts you down
• threatens you or your children
• acts violently towards you
• prevents you from seeing friends or family
• controls your money
• harms you or makes you feel unsafe

If any of these apply, support is available.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 for the police.

Your rights 

Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, anyone who cannot remain in their home because of domestic abuse is treated as automatically in priority need for homelessness assistance.

If you are eligible for help, we can provide emergency accommodation straight away to keep you safe.

Specialist domestic abuse support

Everyone who approaches us due to domestic abuse can be referred to our specialist Domestic Abuse Support Worker, provided by Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid.

This worker is based alongside our housing options team and can support with:

• safety planning
• emotional support
• refuge access
• practical help (benefits, documents, children’s needs)
• advice about legal options
• links into wider domestic abuse services

Ask your housing options officer for an immediate referral. 

Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid provides specialist DA support in Bassetlaw, Mansfield and Newark and Sherwood.

Sanctuary Scheme

Safety modifications can be installed in your home such as:

• new locks
• a fireproof letterbox
• strengthened doors
• 'safe room' measures

Contact Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid:

Telephone: 01909 491330

Refuge accommodation

If you need to leave urgently, Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid can help you find a safe refuge.

If possible, take:

• essential medication
• ID and important documents
• bank and credit cards
• your mobile phone
• a change of clothes

You can also call the National Domestic Violence Helpline: 

Telephone: 0808 2000 247

Homelessness help 

If you cannot safely remain in your home, you can apply as homeless.

We will:

• provide advice and support
• offer emergency accommodation if you are eligible
• ask for information to understand your situation
• work with a specialist DA worker to support you
• help you plan longer-term housing options

If we decide we cannot help, you may be able to challenge the decision by contacting either of the following organisations:

Civil Legal Advice 
Telephone: 0345 345 4345

Shelter Helpline
Telephone: 0808 800 4444

Help from social care

Social care may assist if you:

• have children
• are under 18
• have left care
• are elderly or in poor health
• have a disability
• need urgent safeguarding

Support could include financial help, accommodation or practical assistance.

Visit our social care section

Confidentiality

Everything you discuss with the housing options team is strictly confidential. Information is never shared with the perpetrator and is only shared with other agencies when necessary to keep you safe.

Further help and advice

Support for women

Nottinghamshire Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline

Telephone: 0808 800 0340 (free, confidential, 24/7)

Support for men

Men’s Advice Line 

Telephone: 0808 801 0327 (free, confidential)

Equation Nottinghamshire (men’s local domestic abuse support)

Telephone: 0115 960 5556 

Support for LGBTQ+ people

Galop (national LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline) 

Telephone: 0800 999 5428

Emotional Support

Samaritans 

Telephone: 116 123 (24/7 emotional support)