If you are in danger & are unable to speak you can still ‘Make Yourself Heard’ & call for help.
“If you’re in trouble dial 999.
If you cannot speak, dial 55.
We hear you.
You are not alone.”
This West Mercia Women’s Aid video illustrates that nicely:
The Silent Solution system – overseen by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) – enables a 999 mobile caller who is unable to make a noise or speak, to press 55 when prompted to inform police they are in a genuine emergency. #MakeYourselfHeard #SilentSolution
The campaign was launched last year and reach 16m people. With COVID this was pushed again. Yet the awareness of this service is still low. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said that ‘there remains a need to continually promote this service’.
“No-one should have to live with domestic abuse and it is never OK. Knowing what to do to make yourself heard if you’re in danger could be life-saving, so we’re encouraging as many people as possible to share this important information”
IOPC Director General Michael Lockwood
On a landline, if you can’t speak to answer 999 questions, pause then hang up the phone. The call remains connected for 45 seconds. If you pick up the phone again within 45 seconds and the BT operator is concerned they will transfer the call to the police.
Silent Solution Guide 📑https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/…/Silent_solution_guide.pdf
☎️ In an emergency always ring 999.
☎️ or call Crime Stoppers anonymously 0800 555 111
For advice call:
☎️ National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247
☎️ Men’s advice line run by Respect – 0808 801 0327
☎️ Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service – 0300 303 1191
Other sources of help:
🤝https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
🤝https://www.refuge.org.uk/
🤝https://mensadviceline.org.uk/
🤝https://crimestoppers-uk.org/…/personal-safe…/domestic-abuse
🤝https://www.shropsdas.org.uk/
🤝http://westmerciawomensaid.org/