Are you afraid of someone you live with or know?

Are you unsure who to turn to for help, where to go, or who to talk to?

Do you feel frightened of your husband, partner, ex-partner, or another member of your family?
Are you afraid for yourself or your children?
Do you feel isolated and unsure that others will understand?
Would you like to talk in confidence about your situation and what choices you have?

You may be experiencing abuse

This can happen to any woman - you may feel humiliated, frightened, ashamed, alone and
confused - but you are not to blame

You are not alone - we can help

Milton Keynes Women's Aid offer a range of services including advice, information and safe accommodation to all women

Do you feel?

• hopeless, tired, anxious?
• that you are never right?
• guilty or ashamed about your relationship?
• like a prisoner in your own home?

Are you?

• afraid to go asleep at night, and to wake up in the morning?
• having to watch everything you say or do in case it 'upsets' the person you live with?

Do you believe?

• what they tell you - that it's all your fault.
• their threats if you dare to leave.

How Milton Keynes Women's Aid can help you

• If you are not ready to leave, an Advice and Information Service is available, and we can tell you what legal, housing and financial options you have.
• You can come to the refuge.  This is emergency accommodation where women with or without children can stay.  It offers a breathing space and a chance for you to think about the future.
• If after moving to the refuge, you decide to go back and give the relationship another try, no-one will judge you or think badly of you.  You can contact us again if your need to.
• Living in the refuge is about being able to make choices. and decisions about how you want to live.

If you decide to leave, here are some of the things you will need to think about:

Step 1 - It is important to recognise that you are in an abusive relationship

Step 2 -Seek emotional support and practical help.  You can start this process by talking to a friend you trust or by contacting Milton Keynes Women's Aid.

Step 3 - Make a crisis safety plan to keep you and your children safe.
Store emergency clothes, money, special children's toys, important documents, addresses and telephone numbers, duplicate car keys etc with someone you can trust.
Plan how to contact emergency help at any time.

Step 4 - . Get advice about your legal rights, protection under the law, safe housing and money.

Website

Acknowledgements:  Women's Aid Federation England

Registered Charity No: 1011284
Company No: 2249151