Collection

Domestic abuse: guidance and support for the armed forces community

Information and guidance for those affected by or dealing with cases of domestic abuse in the armed forces community.

• From: Ministry of Defence
• Published: 23 February 2015
• Last updated: 8 May 2024 — See all updates

This site is for members of the armed forces community who are:

• male or female victims
• perpetrators looking to change their behaviour
• military or civilian practitioners
• chain of command
• concerned family and friends

Video: Domestic abuse and support in the MOD

Access a list of MOD domestic abuse support services

In an emergency always call 999 in the UK.
Call 112 in the EU or check locally for other overseas countries.

How to recognise domestic abuse

Concerned family and friends

It can be difficult to know what to do if you suspect a friend or neighbour is a victim of domestic abuse. Advice on how to help and support a friend is available on the Women’s aid and ManKind Initiative websites.

Read more on how to support someone you know.

Information and guidance

Below is a range of resources providing information and guidance about domestic abuse and how to seek help.

Important contacts

Royal Navy Family and People Support (RN FPS):

• call: 0800 145 6088
• email: navypeople-psrnfpsportal@mod.gov.uk

Army Welfare Service (AWS):

• call: 01904 882053 (the Intake and Assessment Team)
• email: RC-AWS-IAT-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

RAF Personal Support and Social Work Service (PS&SWS):

• call: 0800 058 4690
• website: RAF Personal Support and Social Work Service
• Whatsapp: +442037690808
• Facebook: @ssafarafpssws

To provide feedback and suggestions on how this website could be further developed please email People-AFFS-Safeguarding-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk.

Armed forces personnel

Additional information is available from the Home Office below.

• Armed forces domestic abuse: where to get help
  • 30 July 2021
  • Guidance
• Armed forces domestic abuse: worldwide support
  • 12 September 2017
  • Guidance
• Armed forces domestic abuse: common concerns
  • 5 October 2022
  • Guidance
• JSP 913: Whole Force Policy on Domestic Abuse
  • 23 May 2024
  • Guidance

Case studies

• Support within the Royal Navy and Royal Marines community for those affected by domestic abuse
  • 4 January 2021
  • Guidance
• Support within the British Army community for those affected by domestic abuse
  • 5 September 2017
  • Guidance
• Support within the Royal Air Force community for those affected by domestic abuse
  • 31 January 2017
  • Guidance
• Support within the foreign and Commonwealth community for those affected by domestic abuse
  • 5 October 2022
  • Guidance

Practitioners handbook

• Armed forces domestic abuse: a handbook for civilian support services
  • 5 October 2022
  • Guidance

No defence for abuse

The Ministry of Defence has published its strategy for 2018 to 2023.

• No defence for abuse: an action plan to tackle domestic abuse in the defence community
  • 1 February 2024
  • Policy paper

Published 23 February 2015
Last updated 8 May 2024 + show all updates

1. 8 May 2024

   Updated 'Important contacts'.

2. 21 March 2023

   Webpage updated with video, 'Domestic abuse and support in the MOD'; link to a list of MOD domestic abuse support services; and contact details for the RAF Personal Support and Social Work Service.

3. 26 October 2022

   JSP 913: Whole Force Policy on Domestic Abuse has been added to the collection under no defence for abuse. This policy sets out how Defence will respond to domestic abuse across the whole force. It is structured in two parts (direction and guidance).

4. 5 October 2022

   Updated contact information.

5. 30 July 2021

   Updated contact details for SSAFA.

6. 19 May 2020

   Added an Important contacts section to the page.

7. 24 April 2020

   Added a link to the guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19) and domestic abuse.

8. 6 July 2018

   Added link to No defence for abuse: Domestic Abuse strategy 2018 to 2023.

9. 23 February 2015

   First published.