Referral pathways and safety planning
Supporting individuals affected by domestic abuse requires clear referral processes and robust safety planning. This page provides guidance for professionals on how to respond effectively when domestic abuse is identified.
Referral pathways
Referral pathways ensure that victims/survivors receive timely and appropriate support. They help professionals navigate the correct steps for safeguarding adults and children, and for escalating high-risk cases.
Adults
If you are working with an adult experiencing domestic abuse, follow the Hampshire Domestic Abuse Referral Pathway for adults.
Children and young people
If a child or young person is affected by domestic abuse, follow the Hampshire Children and Young People's Domestic Abuse Referral Pathway.
Supporting domestic abuse victims/survivors subject to immigration control
Follow A toolkit for Hampshire . This toolkit includes a step-by-step guide and pathway to support.
Safety planning
Making a safety plan is one of the most important steps for a victim of domestic abuse. Using the following questions and advice, you can help a victim make a safety plan.
Ask the following questions and record actions:
- In what way can I (and others) help you?
- What do you feel would help you keep safe?
- Do you have any concerns about your children’s safety? (Ask if appropriate)
- What have you tried in the past to protect yourself (and your children?)
- Did any of these strategies help?
General safety advice:
- Arrange where you can go if you need to leave urgently.
- Find places where you can quickly and safely use the phone.
- Always carry a list of numbers with you in case of an emergency.
- Try to save money so that you have bus or taxi fares in an emergency.
- Get an extra set of keys for the house/car.
- Keep the keys, money and anything else you may need in a safe place, should you have to leave quickly.
- Talk to your children and let them know it’s not their fault (children do not have to see abuse to be affected by it. They hear it, sense it and can be sad and frightened by it).
- Talk to friends, relatives, your doctor, nurse or others about how you feel.