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4) Getting Help from Groups and Organisations
There are a wide range of organisations that may be able to help you when you are dealing with abuse. Most are free. You can find out about them from your local telephone directory, Thomsons Local Directory, Yellow Pages and so on, look for leaflets in libraries, GPs’ surgeries and council offices, or search the Internet.
Advice Centres
If you are experiencing any kind of abuse, it is useful to have an advice worker to assist you in dealing with it. Advice centre services are free, sometimes staffed by trained volunteers and sometimes by paid workers. Many also employ qualified solicitors.
In many areas there are specialist Disability Information and Advice Line services (DIALS). For details of your local DIAL, contact Dial UK, St Catherine's, Tickhill Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN4 8QN. Tel: 01302 310 123. Fax: 01302 310 404 . Minicom: 01302 310 123 (please use voice announcer). Email: enquiries@dialuk.org.uk. Or search their website at www.dialuk.org.uk
The Citizens Advice Bureau operates a national network of independent advice centres. You can contact the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux for details of your local centre at Myddelton House 115-123 Pentonville Road London N1 9LZ. Tel: 020 7833 2181. Fax: 020 7833 4371. Or search their website at www.nacab.org.uk.
In many areas there are also other advice centres available, often funded by the local council but run independently. The Federation of Independent Advice Centres (FIAC) can provide you with details of your local centre. Contact them at FIAC, 12th Floor, New London Bridge House, 25 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9ST. Tel: 020 7407 4070. Fax: 020 7407 4071. Or search their website at www.fiac.org.uk
Advocacy Organisations
In some areas there are organisations that can provide you with an “advocate” to assist you. An advocate is a trained person, often a volunteer, who can help to make sure that you are able to say what you want to say and are listened to when you are dealing with official people and organisations.
In some areas there are also “self-advocacy” organisations. These organisations can offer training and support to help you to feel more confident and skilled at dealing with official people and organisations by yourself.
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence
or abuse within the home, you can call the Women’s Aid 24-Hour National
Domestic Violence helpline for the cost of a local call. Trained women volunteers
can offer support, help and information. They will discuss the practical and
legal options available to you, and can refer you on to a refuge, a local Women’s
Aid group or other sources of help and information available nationally. Tel:
08457 023 468. Fax: 0117 924 1703. All helpline calls are charged at a local
rate. There is currently only a typetalk service for Deaf women, but a minicom
will be installed soon.
Peer Support Groups
Peer support groups bring together groups of people in a similar situation to offer each other support and information. For example, there may be a peer support group in your area for people who employ personal assistants (p.a.s). This would be particularly helpful if you were experiencing abuse from your p.a and wanted to know how other people had dealt with this.
Associations of Disabled People
In many areas there will be a local association
of disabled people, run by and for disabled people. They may run an information
service which can help you to find out more details about other groups and organisations.
Associations of disabled people may also offer a range of services and support
groups. For example, they may offer counselling and assertiveness courses, and
run disabled women’s and peer support groups.
For details of your local association of disabled people, phone the Information
Project at the British Council of Disabled
People (BCODP) at Litchurch Plaza, Litchurch Lane, Derby DE24 8AA. Tel:
01332 295551. Fax: 01332 295580. Textphone: 01332 295581
Counselling
Counselling can be useful when coming to terms with abuse, when deciding what action to take, and when dealing with the after-effects of abuse (including how to avoid abusive relationships in the future).
Counselling is usually available free from the NHS - ask your GP for details (see 7: “Getting Help from the NHS” for more information). Counselling can also be available free through specialist groups for Black and minority ethnic women and lesbians and from associations of disabled people.
For details of paid-for counselling in your area, contact the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Tel: 0870 443 5252. Fax: 0870 443 5160. Minicom: 0870 443 5162. Or search their website at www.bac.co.uk
Disability Rights Commission
If you are experiencing disabilist abuse, the Disability Rights Commission can advise you on the options available to you. They can take legal cases on your behalf, and also operate a conciliation service to try to solve disputes. The helpline number is 08457 622 633. Fax: 08457 778 878. Textphone: 08457 622 644. Email: enquiry@drc-gb.org
Money advisers
Many women suffering from abuse have problems with money. This may be because your abuser has taken your money, or because your abuser used to help pay your household bills. Problems with money may also make us vulnerable to abuse by other people. Money advisers can help to make sure you are claiming all of the benefits that you are entitled to, and can help you to deal with your debts. Many advice centres have money advisers, and there are also specialist money advice centres in some areas.
There is more information about groups and organisations that can help you in 13: “Resources for Fighting Abuse”.
Next: Getting Help at Work