Emergency

If you are in danger right now

You are not wasting anyone’s time. Your safety matters. Here is what to do in the UK if you are in immediate danger or need urgent support.

Call 999 in an emergency

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, dial 999. If you are on a UK mobile and cannot speak, listen to the prompts and press 55 when prompted. This tells the operator you need help but cannot talk safely.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Free, confidential, 24 hours a day

0808 2000 247

Run by Refuge. This helpline offers emotional support, safety advice, and refuge referrals. Calls may appear in your phone’s call history. If it is not safe to call, use the Refuge website to access live chat or look up the local service for your area.

Visit the Helpline website

When to call 999

You are being hurt or threatened right now.
You are trapped and cannot leave safely.
You fear for your life or your children’s lives.
Your partner is attacking or preventing you from calling for help.
You can see someone else being attacked or threatened.

What happens when you press 55

If you dial 999 from a UK mobile but cannot speak, the operator will try to work out whether you need police, ambulance, fire, or coastguard. If you press 55, it tells them you need the police but cannot speak.

The operator may not be able to send help if they do not know where you are. If you can, whisper your location or any details that help them find you. If you can text, register for emergency SMS by texting “register” to 999.

Important safety reminders

Calls can be logged. 999, 0808 2000 247, and other helpline numbers may show in your call history. If you share a phone bill or phone with the abuser, plan accordingly.
Use a safer device if you can. A trusted friend’s phone, a library computer, or a work device may be safer than one the abuser has access to.
Do not confront alone. If you are planning to leave, specialist services can help you do it as safely as possible.