Oxfordshire Support Services

Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Services (ODAS)

The Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline provides emotional support and practical information for adults affected by domestic abuse. They work with victims to empower them to make decisions regarding their relationship, irrespective of whether they wish to leave or not.

The helpline can help with any enquiries that you may have and provide access to support services. This is a free number and will not show on a landline phone bill, but may appear on an itemised mobile phone bill. A referral form for professionals is available on their website.

Website: www.a2dominion.co.uk
Helpline: 0800 731 0055 (M – F 10:00 – 19:00)
Email: DAS@a2dominion.co.uk

Independent Domestic violence Adviser (IDVA) Service

Reducing the Risk IDVA Service works with everyone assessed at high risk of significant harm or trauma through abuse. For more information about the service, visit our IDVA page.

Court IDVA Service

Reducing the Risk Court IDVA Service supports high-risk victim-survivors of domestic abuse apply for civil orders and navigate the court process. For more information about the service, visit our Court IDVA page.

Flag DV

Flag DV, Free Legal Advice Group for Domestic Violence, is a charity providing free legal advice from family law solicitors. They focus on empowerment, protection and choice and operate across Thames Valley in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

To access their service, please complete their referral form. They also operate a phone line ensuring all victims can access the service. Support is available to any domestic abuse victim in the Thames Valley, no matter their gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Website: www.flagdv.org.uk
Phone: 01635 015854 Mon/Wed/Fri 10am – 1pm
Email: enquiries@flagdv.org.uk

St Mary’s Church in Chipping Norton

Combining evidence-based programmes with innovative interventions involving art, cooking, and forest school activities.

Further information:

Creating Space Chipping Norton flyer

Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board

Website: https://www.oscb.org.uk/

Phone: 0345 050 7666

If you have an urgent concern for a child, call 999 or 1010.

Oxford Parent Infant Project

Oxpip works with parents to help them better understand their relationship with their baby and supports parents who are uncertain about their parenting.

Website: www.oxpip.org.uk
Phone:01865 778034

OXME

This info-packed site contains everything for young people in Oxfordshire!  Their LGBTQ page has been developed to provide LGBTQ+ communities with better access to information, services and advice from local, regional and national organisations.

Website: www.oxme.info/cms

Be Free Young Carers

They provide support for young carers between the ages of 8 and 18 years old, in the Vale of White Horse, South Oxfordshire and Oxford City. This includes support with respite trips in the holidays, befriending, emotional support service and counselling in some schools.

Website: www.befreeyc.org.uk

SAFE! Project

The SAFE! Project supports young people who have been affected by crime, helping them to recover their confidence and sense of safety.

Website: http://www.safeproject.org.uk/
Phone: 0800 133 7938

PACT in Abingdon

Including holistic 1:1 and group interventions for parents and children affected by domestic abuse. Providing information and support for children, young people and families in Oxfordshire.

Website: https://www.pactcharity.org/

Oxford Family Information Service

Locality and Community Support Service (LCSS)

The Locality and Community Support Service (LCSS) is part of our Children’s Services Integration Programme. You can find your local LCSS Community Coordinator on the OSCB website.

The LCSS provides advice and guidance to universal professional partner agencies including schools, health and voluntary and community groups, across Oxfordshire when emerging concerns are raised for children that do not require an immediate safeguarding response. The LCSS is the first point of contact where non-immediate safeguarding concerns are identified.

Survivors UK

For adult male survivors of rape or sexual assault, providing an online helpline, directory of specialist support services for men and boys, and other services such as counselling and support groups for adult men (aged 18+) who have been affected by rape or sexual abuse.

Website: www.survivorsuk.org
Phone: 020 3598 3898
Email: info@survivorsuk.org

Men’s Advice Line

For men experiencing domestic abuse and violence, offering phone, email and webchat support, along with guidance to family and friends.

Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Phone: 0808 8010327
Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk

ManKind

The ManKind Initiative operates a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and violence, as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers. They provide victims with support and signposting, along with further resources and information on their website.

Website: www.mankind.org.uk
Phone: 01823 334244

Oxford Witness Service

If an individual is going to court as a witness or victim of crime, the Witness Service can provide free and confidential support to help them cope. Family and friends who are attending court can get help too and the Witness Service supports witnesses for both the prosecution and defence. The Witness Service can also provide support to children at court.

The Witness Service can give the individual:

• Someone to talk to confidentially, about how they feel before a trial
• Information about what to expect in court, including a chance to see the court beforehand and learn about court procedures
• A quiet place to wait before the individual is called to give evidence
• Someone to go with the witness into the courtroom if they want, to help them feel more at ease
• Practical help (for example with claiming expenses)
• Easier access to people, such as court staff, who can answer specific questions about the case
• A chance to talk over the case when it has ended and to get more help or information

The Witness Service is free and independent of the police or courts.

Phone: 01865 240957 / 01865 727753

Court IDVA Service

Reducing the Risk Court IDVA Service supports high-risk victim-survivors of domestic abuse apply for civil orders and navigate the court process. For more information about the service, visit our Court IDVA page.

Support with Injunctions

There are a number of possible options for any victim of domestic abuse regarding family court. If you are on a low income or think you cannot afford to pay for one privately, you can use the Ministry of Justice Legal Aid Calculator to see if you qualify for help.

The Law Society website can help in finding a qualified solicitor whether privately or, if you qualify, a Legal Aid Provider in family law. The search facility is useful in identifying local firms in any area.

Survivor Space Oxfordshire (formerly OSARCC)

Confidential listening service offering support and information over text, email and phone, for women and girls who have experienced sexual abuse and violence. They also provide the Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy service for Oxfordshire.

Website: www.survivorspace.org.uk
Phone: 01865 725311
Email: referrals@osarcc.org.uk

Sundial Centre for Education on Harmful Practices (formerly Oxford Against Cutting)

Works to end harmful cultural practices suffered by girls and women living in Thames Valley including female genital mutilation (FGM), honour-based abuse (HBA), early and forced marriage (EFM) and female cosmetic genital surgery. They provide education, training and information.

Website: www.sundialcentre.org

Carers Oxfordshire

A free service dedicated to supporting unpaid adult carers (age 18 or over) of people in Oxfordshire. Carers don’t get paid for the support they give but their support is vital to the person they care for. Whether you’re caring for an adult or a child, friend, neighbour or family, taking on a caring role for the first time, or have many years’ experience, you can rely on Carers Oxfordshire as you figure out your path.

Website: www.carersoxfordshire.org.uk
Phone: 01235 424 715

Relate

Provide counselling to victims and survivors who are in, or have left, an abusive relationship.

Website: www.relate.org.uk
Phone: 01865 242960

In Oxfordshire, the criteria for being defined as a “vulnerable adult” are someone who is:

• Aged 18 or over,
• Receiving or in need of care. e.g. help with washing or dressing,
• Unable to take care of themselves, or unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.

Further information on policies and procedures in Oxfordshire is available in the following resources:

• Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board Website
• OSAB’s Multi-Agency Procedure – 2018
• OSAB’s Threshold of Needs Matrix – 2018
• Oxfordshire Social and Community Services

Phone: 0845 050 7666 / 01865 328232
Out of hours emergency number: 0800 833 408
Email: access@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Housing departments
Housing departments have a duty to house anyone fleeing domestic abuse.

Oxford City: 01865 252858
Cherwell: 01295 252535
South Oxfordshire: 01235 540359
Vale of the White Horse: 01235 540359
West Oxfordshire: 01993 861010
Social & Community Services: 0845 050 7666
Out of hours: 0800 833408