Domestic abuse abroad: how to get help
How to get help if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse abroad.
How to get help while you are abroad
If you’re in immediate danger, contact the local emergency services. Find emergency service numbers for your country in our foreign travel advice.
In the European Union, call 112 for the emergency services.
Laws on domestic abuse differ depending on which country you are in. That means some types of abuse which are illegal in the UK may not be in other countries.
Under UK law, domestic abuse includes physical and emotional abuse. It can also include threatening or controlling behaviour, such as limiting someone’s access to money or technology.
British embassies and consulates
Use our help for British people living and travelling abroad page to contact a British embassy, high commission or consulate.
You can also contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44(0)20 7008 5000 for immediate support and information, 24/7.
Consular staff will be empathetic and non-judgemental. Anything you tell us will be treated in the strictest confidence.
We can:
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help you contact family or friends if you want us to
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provide information about local support services, where available
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explain how to contact local police, and provide information about local police and legal procedures
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consider attending a police station with you, depending on the location and circumstances
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provide details of local doctors and medical facilities
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tell you how to apply for an emergency travel document, if required
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help you find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or interpreter
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liaise with your bank or insurer, where possible, and give you information about transferring money
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contact the relevant authorities to note our interest in your case and request information, if you report the abuse to police
We cannot:
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give you legal advice
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collect evidence or investigate crimes
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give you financial help, for example for travel costs to a trial abroad or to replace stolen property
It will be your decision on whether to report the abuse to the local police, who will carry out any investigation. You may want to get help from a local lawyer.
You can also read more detailed guidance if:
Planning for your safety
To plan for your safety, consider:
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keeping your phone charged
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writing down any numbers you need to get help
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telling a trusted neighbour or acquaintance about the problem
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asking your relatives or friends to visit more often
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collecting information about local support
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preparing an emergency bag with your ID, money and clothes
Read The Survivor’s Handbook – Women’s Aid for more advice.
Reporting domestic abuse while abroad
In some countries you must report any abuse to the police before leaving the country for it to be investigated.
Reporting the abuse locally may allow the police to take immediate action.
You may want to get legal help. Your nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate can help you find an English-speaking lawyer.
Returning to the UK
If you’re returning to the UK:
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read about how to get help and support in the UK
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try to make any arrangements before you arrive and follow government advice on returning to the UK permanently
Read Using the NHS when you return to live in the UK. To use the NHS and other local UK services, you’ll need to prove you’re ordinarily resident in the UK. Consider speaking with one of the listed UK support organisations to determine your access to services on arrival in the UK and the arrangements you will be required to make if you have been living abroad.
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline in the UK offers free, confidential advice and support to anyone experiencing domestic abuse and can help people access a refuge in the UK.
If you’re homeless because of domestic abuse, you may be eligible for support from your local council.
Once you’re back in the UK, the FCDO can:
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tell you about organisations in the UK that support victims of domestic abuse
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update you on any investigation into your case, in countries where authorities share legal information with us
If you’re travelling with children
Your child must have a valid UK passport or proof of identity to enter the UK. If you do not have access to their UK passport you can apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). Normally you need consent from anyone with parental responsibility for your child to get an ETD. Parental responsibility means you have a legal duty to care for a child. In some countries, you may need to prove parental consent to immigration authorities to leave the country.
Removing children from the country where they normally live
If your child’s other parent has parental responsibility, removing your child from the country where they normally live without the other parent’s agreement may amount to international parental child abduction.
Normally, anyone with parental responsibility must agree for a child to travel abroad. Parental responsibility means you have a legal duty to care for a child. The exact legal consequences will depend on the laws of the country involved and the circumstances of the case.
If you’re considering leaving a country without the agreement of your child’s other parent, you may wish to speak to Reunite International who can offer practical, impartial advice, information and support to parents, family members and guardians.
You may also wish to get legal help. Find a lawyer abroad.
Reporting domestic abuse in the UK
If the abuse happened while you were abroad but you prefer to inform the UK authorities, you can contact:
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the UK’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline (for emotional support)
Reporting abuse to UK police
The UK police:
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will take a report and offer you support
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make sure you’re safe
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may share your report with the authorities in the country where the abuse happened, if it is safe to do so
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cannot insist the police in another country investigate the abuse
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cannot conduct investigations abroad
The authorities in the country where the abuse happened will decide whether to investigate. They may decide not to take any action.
The UK police can offer you access to victim support in the UK. They may send some details of the abuse to police abroad to protect vulnerable people or stop more abuse being committed.
In many countries, you must report the abuse to local police before you leave the country for them to act. If you report the crime in the UK, the decision to investigate is made by local authorities in the country where the abuse happened. They may choose to take no action, even if contacted by the UK police.
Even if local police do not investigate, UK police may share details about what happened to you. This could be to protect someone vulnerable or stop more abuse taking place.
If you’re in the UK, you should also read Domestic abuse: how to get help.
Reporting a British or UK resident abuser
If the incident was reported abroad, UK authorities will assist in the extradition of any UK resident requested by a foreign country. Extradition is a legal process where a country requests the return of a person.
If your abuser is a UK resident you may be able to get protection in the UK. For example, you could get an injunction to keep them away from you. Ask a lawyer about your options.
If the suspect is a British national or UK resident, UK police forces may be able to prosecute them in the UK. Your local police should be able to give you advice. They may refer your case to the Crown Prosecution Service or Scotland’s Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Support organisations
There are specialist domestic abuse organisations in the UK who can provide specific advice depending on your circumstances. See Domestic abuse: specialist sources of support.
If you are worried that someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse abroad, you can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate. If you are in the UK, you can call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). What we can do to help may be limited without consent from the person facing any abuse.
You can also call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and confidential advice, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. Domestic abuse advisers will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and advice on the options available to you helping you to keep safe and make informed choices.
If someone confides in you that they are being abused, read about how to support someone who is experiencing domestic abuse.
Feedback
We welcome your views on the support we provide, to help us to identify what we do well and what we could do better. Contact us using our feedback form.
Alternatively write to us:
Consular Feedback Team
Consular Directorate
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AH
Disclaimer
Read the disclaimer relating to this guidance.