Personal Safety
As an older person, the chances of you becoming a victim of violent crime are low. Also, Newcastle has lower than average levels of serious crimes, such as robbery, when compared with other cities in England and Wales.
However, you can make yourself even less likely to be the victim of crimes like mugging or assault by taking some sensible precautions, as detailed in this section. You may also find these other articles on Information Now useful
Tips for personal safety
- Try to stay in bright, well-lit and busy areas, where you will feel and be safest.
- Try to look and act confident.
- Try not to be conspicuous about the valuables that you are carrying.
- If someone tries to take something from you, it may be better to let them take it rather than to get into a confrontation and risk injury.
- If you use a wheelchair, keep your things beside you rather than on the back of the chair.
Domestic violence
Domestic violence is abuse from a partner, ex-partner, or family member, which may be physical, emotional or sexual.
The organisations listed here are some of the organisations that can help you if you are, or have been, a victim of domestic violence.
- Newcastle Women’s Aid offers help, advice and support for women and children experiencing domestic violence.
- Men’s Advice Line provides a range of services aimed primarily at men experiencing domestic abuse from their partner.
- ManKind Initiative is a charity whose priority is to provide help and support for male victims of domestic abuse and violence.
- Victim Support Newcastle offers a free and confidential information and support service, whether or not a crime has been reported to the Police.
- EDAN (Ending Domestic Abuse in Newcastle) Places for People is a domestic abuse outreach service that provides support to women from the age of 16, living in Newcastle, who are at risk of Domestic Abuse. EDAN provide practical and emotional support covering a wide range of issues, as well as offering recovery programmes which can be facilitated on a one to one basis.
- Three steps to escaping Domestic Violence – a free downloadable leaflet is available from GOV.UK aimed at women in black and minority ethnic communities. It covers advice on the three steps to escaping violence and abuse. It was produced by the Home Office. It is available in 13 different languages.
- You may also find our section on Adult abuse useful.
Other Useful Information
Suzy Lamplugh Trust was founded to highlight the risks people face in their daily lives and to offer advice, action and support to minimise those risks. Their mission is to raise awareness of the importance of personal safety and to provide solutions that effect change in order to help people to avoid violence and aggression and live safer, more confident lives.
They have produced information on the following topics:
Age UK‘s Guide to Staying Safe.
Last updated: August 3, 2017
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