10 things you might want to say to someone who is experiencing domestic violence/abuse:
1. You have done the right thing by telling me
2. What is happening to you is not right, it is against the law and it is not your fault - s/he is the one being abusive and s/he can choose to stop.
3. You are not alone - it happens to lots of other people too, lots get away from their abusers and there is help available for you.
4. I will not be telling you what to do - the decisions are yours. I can just let you know some of your options
5. You can come back and talk to me again if you want, no matter what you decide to do now. It's my job to help people in your situation (or I'm your friend - I want to help)
6. At any point, if you decide to leave, even if it is just for a break, you can call the Police, Survive (etc. see specialist services) or me for help to do this. If you leave, it doesn't have to be forever.
7. If you need somewhere safe to go, there are places called refuges where you and your children can go to - they are warm, welcoming and safe and there are staff there whose job it is to make sure you are all safe and to help you decide what you want to do next.
8. Do you need to get checked out by a doctor right now?
9. You can call the Police on 999 if you are being attacked or have been attacked and are still at risk - you have the right to Police help if you are being hurt, no matter who is hurting you.
10. Will you be safe now / for the immediate future? How can i safely contact you, shall we do a safety plan?