Armed Forces Support

If you’re a woman affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence, or stalking in the armed forces community, you’re in the right place.

If you’re looking for support around abuse, violence or stalking linked to your experience connected to the armed forces community, we’re here to listen. You don’t need to have the right words for it, and you don’t need to have reported anything. You can begin simply by sharing what’s been happening.

Who we support through this service

We support women aged 16+ who have a link to the armed forces and are affected by current or historic abuse, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, including:

Serving women
Girlfriends, partners and ex-partners of serving personnel
Spouses and family members of serving personnel

REGISTER HERE FOR SUPPORT

How we can help

If you’re reading this page, something probably doesn’t feel right – and that matters. You don’t need to have the perfect words, or be certain what’s happening, to ask for help.

If you’re a woman with a link to the armed forces and you’re worried about your safety or wellbeing in a relationship or after it, you’re in the right place.

What you can expect from us

You will be met with belief, care and respect. We are independent. We are confidential. We will go at your pace.

What is an IDVA?

An independent domestic violence advocate (IDVA) is someone who supports you to be safer in your relationship and to navigate your options. They can support you whether you want to stay, leave, report, or simply talk it through.

What is an Armed Forces IDVA?

Our Armed Forces IDVAs are specially trained to understand the pressures and complexities of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking within the military community.

Whilst domestic abuse can happen anywhere, armed forces life can add extra pressure and extra barriers to getting help. For some women, professional and personal lives overlap, which can make confidentiality feel harder. Rank, power dynamics and hypermasculine cultures can play a part too. Deployment and reintegration can affect patterns of abuse, and frequent relocations can mean isolation from friends and family. For many women, it can be unclear whether military or civilian services are the right route. Immigration status and housing can add further risk.

Am I really being abused?

Domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking don’t always look the way people expect. It can be physical – but it can also be subtle and hard to explain: controlling your money, monitoring your phone, isolating you from friends or family, making threats, pressuring you sexually, or leaving you feeling anxious, watched, or “on edge”.

We help you:

Understand what’s happening and what you want next
Create a safety plan that fits your life and your risks
Find safe ways to contact you, and what to do if things escalate
Help with housing options, legal options, and practical next steps
Support you if you choose to report, and help you navigate systems
Link you into support at our Women’s Centre, including groups and therapeutic activities, when that feels right.

What happens after you register

Step 1
we receive your form

You can tell us if it is not safe to call, leave messages, or email. You can also tell us the safest times to contact you.

Step 2
we make contact

We will try to contact you as soon as we can. If we cannot safely reach you, we will not keep trying in a way that could put you at risk. We can meet you at our Women’s Centre, at a partner agency (such as another charity or organisation), or in a public space (like in a coffee shop or library).

Step 3
our first conversation

One of our specialist Armed Forces IDVA will listen, ask a few questions to understand immediate risk, and talk through the support you’re looking for. You can bring someone you trust if that helps.

Step 4
safety & support

We will agree a safety plan and next steps with you. Support might be one conversation, or ongoing advocacy over time. It depends on what you need.