Merseyside Police is working with partners across Merseyside to tackle domestic abuse. Domestic abuse isn't just physical; it can be psychological, sexual, emotional or even financial.

It's a crime that cuts across all social, cultural and religious boundaries and has devastating consequences for victims, their families and the wider community.
If you, or someone you know, is suffering from domestic abuse, there’s always a lifeline to call.

If you’re worried about taking the next step of reporting domestic abuse, but you need help, advice or even just someone to talk to, there are a number of support agencies that can help you.

This website and any of the support websites listed below will appear in your browser history. If you do not want your parnter to know that you have visited this page, there are some steps that you can take.

You can choose to visit this website, or any support websites, at a public place like an internet cafe, public library or even a friend's house. This is the easiest way to ensure that your tracks are covered online. Should you choose to use this page at home, you can delete your broswer history.

"The following information is taken from the Women's Aid website, www.womensaid.org.uk, and is protected by copyright to Women's Aid Federation of England (© 2010 Women's Aid Federation of England)."

Warning about deleting cookies and address histories

It's important to state that there is a risk involved in removing data from your computer. For instance, if your partner uses online banking and has a saved password, then if you clear the cookies on your PC, your partner will realise you've done so, because their password will no longer be saved. Also, your partner may notice if the address history on the PC has been cleared, and this may raise suspicion.

Internet Explorer 6 (Find your version by selecting Help in the Internet explorer and clicking About Internet Explorer)

Click on the Tools menu and select Internet Options... On the General page, under Temporary Internet Files, click on Delete Cookies and then OK. Click on Delete Files, put a tick in the box labeled Delete all offline content and click OK. Under History, click on Clear History and then OK. Now look at the top of the window and click on the Content tab, select AutoComplete and finally, Clear Forms.

Internet Explorer 7

Click on the Tools menu and select Internet Options. In the General page under Browser History, select the Delete... button. Either select and Delete each section: Temporary internet files; Cookies, History; Forms data and Passwords; or select the Delete all... button at the bottom to clear everything.

Firefox 1 (NOT /Netscape)

Click on Tools and then Options, then click on Privacy. Click on the Clear button next to History; Saved Form Information; Cookies and Cache.

Firefox 2

Click on Tools and then Options, then click on Privacy. At private data select settings, ensure that all boxes have been selected and then click on Clear Now Netscape 7
Click on the Edit menu and select Preferences. In the left pane, expand History then in the right area click Clear History. Next, expand Privacy and Security and select Cookies then on the button Manage Stored Cookies and in the new dialog box click Remove All Cookies. Then repeat similar for Forms and the Manage Stored Form Data button and the same for Passwords and the Manage Stored Passwords button. Aditionally, you may Manage Forms, Cookies and Passwords individually from the Tools menu - but not the temporary page Cache files.

Opera

Click on Tools and then Preferences. Click on the Advanced tab and then the History section on the left-hand side. Click the Clear button to the right of Addresses and the Empty Now button to the right of Disk cache. Opera does not have an easy wasy to clear all Cookies.

Safari (often used on Apple Macs)

Resetting Safari clears the history, empties the cache, clears the Downloads window, and removes all cookies. It also removes any saved user names and passwords or other AutoFill data and clears Google/Yahoo search entries. To do this go to the Safari menu at top left hand screen. Choose Reset Safari, and click Reset.

If your partner or someone close to you is abusing you the most important thing to do is to tell someone you trust. Never be afraid to ask for help and always remember to dial 999 in an Emergency.

Here is some practical advice to help you.

How to leave home safely

• Have a small bag packed with spare clothes, keys, phone numbers and money in case you have to leave quickly. If you're afraid that it will be found, leave it at work or with a friend
• Talk to your children beforehand about the possibility of leaving in an emergency if it's appropriate.
• You may want to agree a codeword or a plan with them
• Make sure you take your children with you when you leave
• Only leave when it is safe to do so
• If you later discover that you have left something behind, you can arrange to collect it with a police officer – don't return by yourself
• Tell somebody you trust that you are leaving
• Take some identification with you that might help others protect you from the abuser, such as a recent photograph

How to keep safe during a violent incident

• If you are able to, dial 999 in an emergency. Try to leave the phone off the hook so that the operator can still hear you
• If you can't ring 999, telephone or text a friend, relative or neighbour with a pre-arranged code word indicating that you need help so that they can call the police for you
• Plan escape routes before you need to use them
• If you have been injured and you have not been able to call the police, go to see your doctor or attend hospital as soon as possible
• Keeping safe if you decide to stay

Keeping safe if you decide to stay

• Make sure you seek some support from support agencies where you live
• Let the support agencies know how they can contact you e.g. at work or at a friend's address
• Make sure you remove all traces of contact with support agencies
• Delete your computer history if you have been on their website
• Dispose of phone records
• Use the internet in your local library or internet café to avoid leaving a trace
  Make sure you receive medical help for any injuries ensuring that they are recorded and photographed. These may be used at a later date to support court cases or re-housing applications.

If you need help, advice or even just someone to talk to, there are a number of support agencies that can help you. Some of these are listed below.

National help lines

• Women's Aid - (24 hour free phone service) 0808 2000 247
  www.womensaid.org.uk

• Worst Kept Secret - 0800 028 3398
  www.worstkeptsecret.co.uk

Local links

Wirral

• Wirral Family Crime Investigation Unit - 0151 777 2665
• Wirral Family Safety Unit -0151 606 5440
  www.wirral.gov.uk
• Wirral Women and Children's aid - 0151 643 9766 (24 hour)
  www.wirralwomensrefuge.co.uk
• The Zero Centre - 0151 670 1528
  www.zerocentre.org.uk
• Central Advice and Duty Team - 0151 666 2006

Sefton

• Family Crime Investigation Unit -0151 777 3087
• Sefton Women's and Children's Aid (SWACA) - 01704 500 647
  www.swaca.com
• Voice for change – support male victims 0151 345 8499
  

Knowsley

• Knowsley Vulnerable Persons Unit -0151 777 6509
• Knowsley Domestic Violence Support Service - 0151 548 3333
  www.kdvss.plus.com
• Knowsley Hate Incident & Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0800 953 4433

St Helens

• Family Crime Investigation Unit - 0151 777 1590
• Independent Domestic Violence Advocate - 01744 734 200
  

Liverpool

• North Liverpool Family Crime Investigation Unit - 0151 777 4582
• South Liverpool Family Crime Investigation Unit - 0151 777 5308