Domestic abuse isn’t only physical. It can involve controlling, coercive, threatening, or degrading behaviour - often from a partner or ex-partner, but it can also come from a family member or carer.
We understand it can be difficult to ask for help but you're not alone and will always be believed. We work closely with trusted organisations to help people find a safe place and plan for the future.
If you are in immediate danger
Call 999 and ask for the police.
If you're not safe to speak, press 55 when prompted. This lets the call handler know you need urgent help.
How we can help you
If you’re at risk of becoming homeless due to abuse, coercive control or violence, you have the right to request support and emergency housing. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, and you don’t need to be sleeping rough or have reported the abuse to the police.
We work with partners across Sheffield to:
- connect you with specialist domestic abuse support services
- provide advice and guidance around your housing options, which could include support to help you stay safe at home or move somewhere else
- provide emergency accommodation
- support you with longer-term housing options
Domestic abuse and sexual violence
If you are experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence, there are local and national services that can help you. To find out more about support that is available, visit our dedicated domestic abuse and sexual violence advice and support pages.
Domestic abuse and sexual violence advice and support
In Sheffield, IDAS provide domestic abuse support and advice. You can visit the their website or can call the Sheffield helpline on 0808 808 2241.
You can also use the Sheffield Directory to find other support available.
Sheffield Directory: Staying safe
Safe accommodation
Sheffield has refuge and safe housing for people fleeing domestic abuse. This includes emergency refuge and dispersed accommodation around the city.
If you're thinking about leaving your home, please get in touch with Housing Solutions if you need to access safe accommodation.
Support to stay in your home
We understand that you may wish to remain in your home and can support you to feel safer. You can get support to access target hardening tools (for example window and door locks, CCTV) via the Sanctuary Scheme.
We can also signpost you to specialist organisations. They can help you explore your legal options. This includes occupation orders and non-molestation orders to help keep your abuser away from your home. You can read more about legal options on the government's website.
GOV.UK: Get an injunction if you've been the victim of domestic abuse
Housing Solutions support
If you need to leave your home immediately, you can contact Housing Solutions on 0114 273 6306 from 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can also call our emergency out of hours on 0800 7311 689 to make a homeless application. This applies to everyone, including Council tenants. From here, you can reach several different options including commissioned supported housing, temporary or emergency accommodation, applying to join the Housing Register.
Safe accommodation
Housing Solutions is also how you access specialist ‘safe accommodation’ options in Sheffield for those that have had to flee domestic abuse and are homeless. These consist of refuges and dispersed accommodation across the city. These are both supported short-medium term accommodation options that allow you to start your recovery whilst considering longer term rehousing options.
Support with longer term rehousing options
If you're a Council tenant
You can speak to your Neighbourhood Officer about rehousing options. This might include accessing our mutual exchange programme, or being supported to move to a different area, for instance.
If you're not a Council tenant
You can apply to join the Housing Register if you are eligible – learn more about eligibility. You can also get help with accessing private rented accommodation through the Find Your Let scheme. You can also access private rented accommodation through sites such as Rightmove.
Support available if you're eligible to join the Housing Register
If you are worried that you might face barriers when trying to join the register due to previous or current rent arrears or anti-social behaviour due to domestic abuse, we can support you to address this issue. For instance, this might include setting up affordable payment plans with us for rent arrears over a number of weeks with support from our Income Management and Financial Inclusion Team. They will look at any financial support available. To discuss your current or former rent details you can contact the Council Housing Service.
If you don't have a local connection with Sheffield
Victims and survivors of domestic abuse can ask any local authority for help, even without a local connection. This applies if it's unsafe for you or a household member to remain in their home area. The rest of the qualification criteria in our Allocations Policy still apply.