Support services

Gender-based violence includes a number of offences, including domestic abuse, sexual assault and rape, female genital mutilation and so-called honour-based abuse.  It is most often perpetrated by men and boys, where women and girls are disproportionately their victims, though men and boys can be victims too. 

If you have been affected by gender-based violence, there are a number of specialist services available across Greater Manchester offering help and support.  

How to report and access support

• If you, or someone you know, is affected by gender-based violence please call Greater Manchester Victims’ Services on 0800 876 6155 for help and advice or visit gmvictims.org.uk (external website). Please remember, you don’t have to report anything to the police if you don’t want to. 

• You can also contact Victim Support (external website) on their 24/7 Support line – 0808 1689 111 - or via their live chat facility (external website). 

• If you, or someone you know, has come to harm or is at risk of coming to harm, you can report this to Greater Manchester Police via GMP’s Live chat facility at gmp.police.uk (external website) or call 101. If you, or someone else is in immediate danger always dial 999. 

• If you are calling 999 from a mobile phone and you are unable to speak, you can use the Silent Solution (external website) by pressing 55 when prompted. Once you press 55, the operator will then transfer the call to the relevant police force as an emergency. 

Domestic abuse and violence: 

• Greater Manchester's Domestic Abuse Helpline 

  • 0800 254 0909    

  • Website: www.domesticabusehelpline.co.uk (external website)

• Men’s Advice Line
  

  • 0808 801 0327 

  • Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk (external website) 

• 24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline 

  • 0808 2000 247 

  • Website: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk (external website)

• Galop

  • Galop provide help, advice and support for LGBT victims of domestic abuse. 

  • 0207 704 2040 

  • Website: www.galop.org.uk (external website) 

Rape or sexual assault:   

• St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) 24 hour helpline 

  • 0161 276 6515 

  • Website: www.stmaryscentre.org (external website)

• Survivors Manchester UK

  • Helping male victims of sexual assault and abuse to break the silence. 

  • 0808 800 5005 

  • Website: www.survivorsmanchester.org.uk (external website)

Forced marriage and so-called honour-based violence: 

• Karma Nirvana 

  • Karma Nirvana is a UK registered charity that supports victims and survivors of Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse. 

  • 0800 5999247 

  • Website: www.karmanirvana.org.uk/get-help/helpline (external website)

Female Genital Mutilation: 

• The Guardian Project  

  • A free service covering the whole of Greater Manchester. It provides care and support for women and girls who may be at risk from, or who have been victims of, female genital mutilation. 

  • 07449 651 677 

  • Email guardian.project@outlook.com 

Stalking and harassment:

• National Stalking Helpline 

  • 0808 802 0300 

  • Email advice@stalkinghelpline.org 

  • Website: www.suzylamplugh.org (external website)

Support for children and young people:  

• If you’re an adult, phone the NSPCC Helpline (external website) on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. 

• If you’re a young person, call ChildLine (external website) 24/7 on 0800 1111.

Concerned about your behaviour:

• Respect

  • If you’re concerned about your own behaviour towards a loved one, Respect provides a confidential advice and support for perpetrators of domestic abuse looking for help to stop.  

  • 0808 802 4040 

  • Website: www.respect.uk.net (external website) 

Find more help and advice, including support services in your area at gmvictims.org.uk (external website)