Get support

In an emergency

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, phone 999 and ask for the police.

If you can't speak, you can still be transferred to the police. If you're calling from a mobile phone, you'll need to press 55 when prompted. The police will usually be able to find your location.

Support from the police

  • You can report sexual violence or abuse to the police. It can be recent or historical, it doesn't matter. You can still get help and support, if you don't want to report what's happened.

    Support is available:

  • When there is no immediate threat, report domestic abuse:

  • The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), or Clare’s Law, is a way to find out if your partner has a history of domestic abuse that the police are aware of.  This may help you understand if they pose a risk to you or a loved one.

    The scheme is named after Clare Wood who was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend in 2009. Her father, Michael Brown, led a campaign for the scheme which came into effect in England and Wales in 2014.

    What are your rights?

    Under Clare's Law you have the 'right to ask'. You can:

    Request information for yourself

    You can make an application about your current or ex-partner because you are worried they may have an abusive past or you believe they may pose a risk to you in the future.

    Request information for someone you know

    You can request information about the current or ex-partner of someone you know - a family member, a neighbour and so on - because you are concerned that they might be at risk of domestic abuse in the future.

    Receive information

    You also have the 'right to know'. The police may decide to share information with you about a current or former partner who has been abusive or violent in the past if they believe you are at risk. 

    Request information under Clare's Law

    You can make a DVDS application.

  • Find support for victims of all sorts of crime in West Sussex using the Safe Space Sussex directory.

WORTH services

Find information about support that WORTH services can provide to victim-survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and violence in West Sussex.

Support services directory

Find support services for people who are experiencing or have experienced abuse.