1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and 750,000 child incidents of domestic abuse are reported in the UK every year. It's our aim to provide free and confidential support to anyone experiencing domestic abuse.
Established in 1974, Leeway is an independent charity providing support to adults, young people and children who are experiencing domestic abuse in Norfolk and Suffolk. We operate eight safe houses and people experiencing domestic abuse and their children are welcome to stay as long as necessary to secure a future free from a dangerous partner.
About usOur refuges provide fully furnished safe friendly environments where people leaving abusive relationships can stay as long as required. Some refuges consist of self-contained flats and others have shared living facilities with private bedrooms.
Domestic abuse can have an impact on other members of the family, including children. In this short animation, the experience of fleeing abuse and moving to a refuge is shown from the child’s perspective.
In just a few months in 2020, we received nearly 4000 contacts to our advice and support services. If you are in an abusive relationship, there is help available. You can contact support through email, phone call or our Live Chat webchat service.
Domestic abuse goes beyond violent behaviour and physical abuse. It also includes any type of sexual, psychological and financial abuse and is about a range of coercive and controlling behaviours. It also includes ‘honour based violence’, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriages. Domestic abuse can happen in any relationship – regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or social class or income.
If you are being forced to change your behaviour because you are scared of your partner or your family member's reaction, it's likely that you are being abused.
Learn moreThere are a number of ways you can help Leeway, including:
“Being in the refuge made me stronger as a person and also more independent. Leeway also helped me to relocate so it helped me to move on in more than one way.”
Volunteering is a great way to help others, meet new people and add valuable experience to your CV. We have a range of volunteer positions across our organisation and we’re always looking for more people to join our dedicated and enthusiastic team.
Volunteer with LeewayWe would like to thank the following authorities, organisations and businesses for their ongoing support of our work.
