Next Step Help Services

IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY ALWAYS DIAL 999

Victim Support Derbyshire

Victim Support provides emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime and their families, regardless of whether the crime has been reported to the police. Trained volunteers support victims via the telephone or by making home visits and offer signposting to other appropriate agencies in order to provide the best service possible to victims. Victim Support Derbyshire also employs specialist staff who deal with Domestic Abuse.

Victim Support in Derby and South Derbyshire

Kings Chambers

34 Queens Street

Derby DE1 3DS

Tel: 01629 825864

Web address: www.victimsupport.org

Victim Support Derbyshire - Witness Service

Understandably many witnesses in Domestic Abuse cases feel worried about going to court. Victim Support runs its Witness Service to give information and support to witnesses, victims, their families and friends when they go to court. They can also arrange pre-trial visits to the court so everyone knows where to go and what to expect on the day of the actual hearing.

They help:

• Witnesses who are called to give evidence, including defence witnesses.
• Victims of crime and their families and friends attending court for any reason.
• Children as well as adults.

Both Derby Crown Court and Derby Magistrates' Court have the service which can be contacted at:

Derby Crown Court Witness Service,

Derby Combined Courts

The Morledge,

Derby DE1 2XE

Tel: 01332 622 536

Email: alison.jones@vsderbyshire.org

Derbyshire Police 0845 123 33 33

Web Address www.derbyshire.police.uk/

Derbyshire Friend

Provides a switchboard, drop in, and social/support groups for men and women. Offers sexual health outreach to the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual communities of Derbyshire. Also assists, advises, informs and supports any person in doubt of their sexuality, experiencing difficulties in their lives relating to their or another persons sexuality.

Address: The Pavilion LGB Centre, 2 - 3 Friary Street, Derby, DE1 1JF

Email: info@gayderbyshire.co.uk

Tel: 01332 207704

Web address: www.gayderbyshire.co.uk

Safe Speak

Safe Speak provides counselling to young people aged between 11 and 18. It is Relate's counselling service for young people in Derbyshire and counsellors are experienced in dealing with domestic violence issues. Safe Speak works in schools and other centres across the country.

Address: 62 Friar Gate, Derby, DE1 1DJ

Email: info@safespeak.org.uk

Tel: 0800 0935 264

Web address: www.safespeak.org.uk

Derbyshire Rape Crisis (DRC)

DRC provides confidential one to one counselling, a telephone helpline, and a support service to those going through a court or police reporting process. These services are available free of charge to anyone over fourteen living in Derbyshire. They also offer the opportunity to undertake a medical examination following an incident, without police involvement.

Address: PO Box 142, Derby DE1 1XU

Opening Times: Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm

Email: info@drconline.org.uk

• For a counselling appointment at any venue, please call us on: 01332 342 255.
• For helpline support please call the helpline on: 01332 37 25 45
• To visit Millfield House for a medical following a recent rape or sexual assault please call: 0845 129 0111
• For all other enquiries please call the office on: 01332 342 255

Web address: www.drconline.org.uk

Women's Aid

Women's Aid is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.(link to our children page here) We support a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK.

It operates a 24-hour helpline 0800 2000 247

Its website www.womensaid.org.uk has lots of useful information including a survivor's handbook which provides in-depth advice about housing, finances, legal rights and children among other things.

It has also produced a website for children and young people affected by domestic abuse www.thehideout.org.uk to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse and how to take positive action if it's happening to them.

Domestic abuse - it can hit anyone