Throughout March, Equation is running its biggest #HelpAFriend campaign across Nottingham city and county yet! The campaign has run each year since 2016 and gives ordinary people the tools to recognise if someone close to them is experiencing abuse, and help them reach expert support.

#HelpAFriend uses a combination of attention-grabbing resources to engage the widest possible range of the community: a social media campaign, targeted posters and leaflets, large tram stop ads, ads on buses, and several promotional giveaway events. Following the success of previous years, we hope that the campaign will increase the number of women accessing the local 24-hour domestic and sexual abuse helpline (0808 800 0340), which receives over 10,000 calls each year.

Sophie Maskell, Campaigns Coordinator, says: “Many people experiencing domestic abuse find it difficult to report what is happening to professional support agencies, which means a huge number of survivors are not receiving any help.

“Their friends and family, who are ordinary people like you and me, can make a huge difference. They are very well-placed to spot the warning signs of abuse, and to help friends or family access support that can keep them safe and well.”

Equation’s innovative campaign shows what abuse can look like to a friend from the outside. By promoting the simple steps involved in responding helpfully to friends or family who are being hurt by a partner, we hope to build the tools and confidence of everyone in the local community to be an upstander against domestic abuse.

If you are worried that your friend is being hurt by her partner, ring the 24-hour domestic and sexual abuse helpline to find out how you can help: 0808 800 0340. The helpline is run by Juno Women’s Aid. Find out more at junowomensaid.org.uk

Further Information

How you can help

No matter how much time, money or resources you can afford to give, your support will make a difference.