Domestic abuse

Physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse, threats and controlling behaviour by a partner, ex or family member.

Teen relationship abuse

Checking your phone, telling you what to wear, isolating you from friends, pressure for sex or images, threats and jealousy.

Coercive control

A pattern of behaviour that controls, scares, humiliates or isolates someone. It is a crime, even without physical violence.

Sexual harassment

Catcalling, unwanted comments, following, touching, flashing and staring that makes someone feel unsafe.

Rape and sexual assault

Any sexual activity without consent. Most sexual violence is carried out by someone the victim knows.

Stalking

Repeated, unwanted contact or behaviour, such as following, turning up, messaging or monitoring someone online.

Image-based and online abuse

Sharing or threatening to share intimate images, deepfakes, sextortion, and misogynistic abuse online.

Spiking

Putting drugs or alcohol in someone’s drink, food or vape, or injecting them, without their knowledge.

Honour-based abuse, forced marriage and FGM

Abuse to protect a family’s “honour”, forcing someone to marry, and female genital mutilation are all crimes in the UK.

On the move

• Share your location and plans with someone you trust
• Keep your phone charged
• Use licensed taxis and check the details before you get in
• Trust your instincts, and go into a shop or busy place if you feel unsafe

Spiking

• Watch your drink and don’t accept drinks you didn’t see poured
• Look out for friends and leave together
• If you or a friend suddenly feel very drunk, confused or unwell, tell staff and get help
• Report spiking to police as soon as you can, so you can be tested

Your digital safety

• Check location sharing and privacy settings
• Don’t share passwords, even with a partner
• Screenshot abusive messages before you block
• Never feel pressured to send images

Silent Solution

If you call 999 from a mobile and can’t speak, listen to the questions, cough or tap the phone if you can, then press 55 when asked. Police will know you need help.

Ask for ANI

In participating pharmacies, ask for “ANI” (Action Needed Immediately). Staff will take you to a private room with a phone to get help.

Ask for Angela

In many bars, clubs and venues, ask staff for “Angela” if you feel unsafe, and they will help you discreetly.

Clare’s Law

You can ask the police whether a partner, or someone close to you, has a history of abuse. This is the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.

StreetSafe

Report places where you have felt unsafe, such as poorly lit streets, anonymously to the police.

Hide your browsing

If someone checks your phone or computer, use private browsing and quick exit buttons on support websites.

Domestic abuse

Abuse by a partner, ex or family member aged 16 or over. Children who see, hear or experience domestic abuse are recognised as victims in their own right.

Coercive control

Controlling or coercive behaviour in a relationship is a criminal offence.

Public sexual harassment

Intentionally harassing someone in public because of their sex, such as catcalling, following or blocking their path, is now a specific crime, with up to 2 years in prison.

Spiking

A new offence covers spiking drinks, food or vapes, and needle spiking.

Stalking

Stalking and harassment are crimes, online and offline. Courts can make orders to stop someone contacting you.

Image-based abuse

Sharing or threatening to share intimate images without consent, upskirting, cyberflashing, and creating sexual deepfakes are all crimes. Any sexual image of an under-18 is illegal.

Forced marriage

It is illegal for anyone under 18 to marry, even with parents’ consent, and forcing anyone to marry is a crime.

FGM

Female genital mutilation is illegal in the UK, including taking a girl abroad for it.

Rape and sexual assault

Any sexual activity without consent is a serious crime, including within a relationship or marriage.