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This section offers information, help and support for anyone affected by domestic violence. Before you go through this site please read our internet safety warning. What would you like to know about?
 Safe internet use What is domestic violence? Domestic Violence Housing Policy Statement and Strategy How the housing department can help Stopping the abuse - Non molestation orders Staying put Moving Emergency accommodation Other help for women Other help for men Other help for gay, bisexual and transgender people Help and advice for children and young people Help for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted Help for perpetrators to address their behaviour
The housing department sees domestic violence as: 'Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender and sexuality'. Psychological / emotional abuse can include:
Physical abuse can include:
Sexual abuse can include:
Financial abuse can include:
If you think you are in an abusive relationship and want to stop the violence or leave, there are many agencies that can help you. You are not alone and do not have to suffer in silence. Domestic violence is a crime, in an emergency always call 999.
The Domestic Violence Housing Policy Statement and Strategy sets out the housing policy, statement and action plan for people who find themselves in need of housing services as a result of fleeing domestic violence.
If you are experiencing domestic violence and want help to improve the safety of your home or find different accommodation, please contact the Homelessness Prevention Service for further advice. If you are a council tenant please also contact your managing agent.
If someone is hurting or threatening you, you can ask the court to make a non-molestation order (a type of injunction) ordering them to leave you alone and they can be arrested if they fail to comply with the order. For further advice and help, please contact one of the organisations listed below.
If you live in Wandsworth and you are being threatened or hurt by someone who does not live with you, Wandsworth Council can help you under the 'Staying Put, Staying Safe' scheme by improving the security of your home. For further information, please contact the Homelessness Prevention Service. If you live in Wandsworth and you are being threatened or hurt by someone who lives with you, please read the rest of this section. If you do not own a property or have a tenancy but live with your spouse or civil partner who does, you are legally entitled to live in the home and your spouse / civil partner cannot legally exclude you except by obtaining a court order. If you are currently not living in the marital / civil partnership home, you can apply for a court order to gain entry and live there.
If the owner or tenant of your home is you or your current or former spouse, civil partner or partner, you can ask the court to make an occupation order. This is a type of injunction which says that you can live in the home and exclude the person who is hurting or threatening you from the home and the surrounding area. If you apply for an occupation order, you should apply for a non-molestation order at the same time. For further advice and help, please contact one of the organisations listed below. Once you have an occupation order, you may be able to ask the court to transfer the ownership or tenancy of the property to you. You will need to seek legal advice about this by contacting a solicitor, a law centre or Community Legal Service Direct. The organisations listed below should be able to help you get legal advice.
Once the person who is hurting or threatening you has been excluded from your home, Wandsworth Council can help you under the 'Staying Put, Staying Safe' scheme by improving the security of your home. For further information, please contact the Homelessness Prevention Service on 020 8871 6840.
If you are a housing association tenant, you may want to contact your housing association to find out if you can get a transfer or see the 'Finding a home' section of this site. If you are a Wandsworth council tenant or are fleeing violence from a Wandsworth Council tenant, who you have been living with, please contact your managing agent, who may be able to help in the following ways:
If you need to leave your home because someone is hurting or threatening you and you need somewhere to stay temporarily while you get the advice and assistance you need you may want to consider:
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