What can Women's Aid and Police really do?

[Helpmehelpherpls]

Hi all. Name changed for anonymity on this one and quite new to MN anyway so hope it's in the right place. Basically I have a friend in a DV situation who says she is ready to end it and wants him gone after a brutal weekend. I have given her the women's aid number and told her she needs to involve the police as she says he won't go without a fight. I had to call the police this weekend after she sent me an alarming msge so they have been involved to my knowledge several times already. What I want to know is what can they actually do to help her? Ive read on here that they can be there to make him leave, change the locks and get a restraining order all in the same day but I don't want to tell her that if it's not true. I've tried ringing Women's aid for advice but can't get through so she prob won't be able to either. She has no living family apart from an 18 year son who lives far away and she obviously doesn't want to lay this on him. TIA x

They can ask him to leave & possibly arrest him. The can request bail conditions that he's not allowed near her. They won't change the locks though

Some of it depends on who has rights to the home (shared, his name only, or her name only) but police can make her safe immediately for a short time. This is far easier if she wants them to ie she says she wants him to be away from her and is fully honest on her account of the abuse. They can arrest and use bail conditions to try to ensure separation. Any breaches need to be reported for this to be effective.

If they deem it to be high risk she will receive support from an IDVA (independent domestic abuse advisor). They cover all kinds of support including housing, safety plans and finding refuges. If police don't refer Google idvas in your area and she can call and discuss with them direct they may be able to support.

Womans Aid provide similar support and are always worth speaking to because they have expertise in this area including helping people to understand what is abuse and rebuilding confidence. They can also help with refuges if necessary and providing clear advice. They will help her work out an escape route and help her see that it is possible.

Thank you, not sure if she has added him but the house was hers. She really needs to stay there too due to having health/mobility issues. Would she have to press charges to get police help/protection or could she just get help in getting him gone and staying away?

There are injunctions, occupation orders and restraining orders - can't remember which of these has to happen at sentencing (in other words, she'd have to go to court). Have a look online, or you could call the Refuge helpline 0808 2000 247

Good luck to your friend and I hope she gets to stay in her home. Hope you are bearing up too as it's tough supporting a friend going through this