Your questions – FAQs
Who can I talk to about my situation?You can talk to one of our Advice workers confidentially by calling our Helpline on 01473 745 111. The Helpline is open 24hrs a day (if you call between the hours of 5pm – 9am, please leave a message and we will call you back within 15mins).
If you would prefer to talk to someone face-to-face, we have a Drop In Advice Session on Tuesday afternoons between 1pm and 4pm at our Lighthouse Community Women's Centre in central Ipswich. Please see the section ‘Contacting us’ for our location.
If you are immediate danger, do not hesitate to call the Police on 999.
How can I get legal advice about my situation?
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and would like to opportunity to discuss any legal issues, worries or questions that you may have, we can offer a free and confidential legal consultation with a solicitor.
Legal Surgeries are run on Fridays between 10am and 12noon and will last approximately half an hour. This time is guaranteed free – follow-up appointments will be subject to your circumstances and/or Legal Aid.
Legal Surgeries are available by appointment only.
To book, please call 01473 228 270
.
Alternatively, the Community Legal Advice Line provides free and confidential legal advice to people on benefits or low incomes, on issues such as benefits, debt, education, housing, employment and family problems. It also has a free translation service available in 170 languages.
The helpline number is 0845 345 4 345
(Monday – Friday 9am – 8pm; Saturday 9am – 12.30pm)
Minicom 0845 609 6677.
For further information on Community Legal Advice click here
Where can I get counselling or emotional support?
We offer a free counselling service to any woman who has experienced, or who is currently experiencing domestic abuse. Counselling can be offered whether the abuse was years ago and you would like to talk about it to someone, or whether you are in need of crisis counselling for a current situation.
To find out more about DOVE Counselling, please call 01473 228 270, or visit the ‘Our Services’ section.
We also offer a range of support groups and courses which offer information and emotional support. Please see the section ‘Support Groups’ for a full list of the groups we are offering currently.
How can I cover my tracks when using this website?
How can I delete my browsing history?
Please see the section ‘Using this website safely’ for how to do this.
Questions about the REFUGE
Will I be safe?
We have CCTV outside the refuges, no visitors other than professionals and admittance is by security intercom only. We have adjoining offices at both refuges where professionals can arrange appointments.
How long can I stay?
How long you stay is dependant on your needs and the choices you make.
Can I go out if I want?
You can go out and stay out for the night on occasions to visit family and friends. All we ask is that you let us know how long you intend to be away.
How much will it cost for me to stay?
Housing Benefit covers our rent if you are not working and claim Income Support. Our Advice Workers will help you claim any benefits you are entitled to. We also ask for a small amount to cover the cost of heating and lighting and cleaning materials.
Where is Ipswich?
Click here for local map.
How will I get to the Refuge?
If you have your own transport we will give you directions.
Within Suffolk and beyond, there are very good train and bus services from London, Norwich, Cambridge and Peterborough.
Within Ipswich, buses provide an excellent service linking the mainline station and the town centre to the refuges.
Can I have visitors?
We do not allow visitors.
Can I bring pets?
Sorry, unfortunately we cannot accommodate pets.
