Getting help for domestic violence and abuse

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If in an immediate danger, always call 999. For non-emergencies, dial 101.
My Decision gives victims of rape or sexual assault information on the choices available if they feel unsure about reporting to the Police.

Domestic abuse support in Wandsworth

Hestia provides Independent Domestic Abuse Advocacy (IDVA) support and refuge accommodation for victims and their children suffering from domestic abuse. They offer both emotional and practical support to ensure that every service user has an up to date risk assessment and support plan tailored to their individual needs.

To access the Independent Domestic Abuse Advocacy (IDVA) service:

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National Domestic Violence Helpline

This Freephone 24 hour helpline, run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge, is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence. The Helpline can give support, help and information over the telephone. All calls are completely confidential. It offers translation facilities for callers whose first language is not English, and a service for callers who are deaf or hard of hearing is available.

Contact:

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Injunction or occupation orders

Non-molestation orders and occupation orders are designed to prevent the abuser from assaulting or harassing you and can also prevent them from entering your home.

Find out more information about injunction and occupation orders and how to apply.

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People at risk of forced marriage or 'so-called' honour-based violence

  • Al-Aman 020 8563 2250 - supports women and girls who have experienced or who are at risk of any of the following forms of abuse perpetrated by partners, ex-partners, or a family members:
      Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
      Forced Marriage (FM)
      Honour-Based Violence (HBV)
  • Asian Women's Resource Centre: 020 8961 6549/5701
  • Association of Somali Women and Children (ASWAC) (Based in Battersea) 020 7622 1086 - advice and advocacy for Somali women and children
  • Forced Marriage Unit: 020 7008 0151
  • Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation: 020 7920 6460 - support for Middle Eastern and Afghan women and girls who are living in the UK. Farsi, Kurdish, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Turkish and English spoken 
  • Karma Nirvana: 0800 5999 247

Older people

  • Hourglass: Support for older people who have experienced, or are at risk of, any kind of harm, abuse or exploitation. Helpline 0808 808 8141 open from 9am to 5pm every Monday to Friday. 

Young people

LGBT community

Domestic abuse affects approximately one in four lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people in their lifetimes. This may include abuse related to their sexual orientation or gender identity, such as threatening to 'out' someone to their work or family.

  • GALOP: 020 7704 2040 - provides advice and support to lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people who have experienced homophobic or transphobic hate crime or violence in the Greater London area, including sexual abuse
  • Metro: 020 8305 5000 - services available only in certain boroughs 
  • The Gender Trust: 015 2789 4838 - supports all those affected by gender identity issues
  • Stonewall Housing: 020 7359 5767 - provides free confidential advice on safe housing for LGBT domestic abuse victims in London 

Advice for perpetrators

A confidential and anonymous helpline for domestic violence perpetrators looking for help to address their behaviour.

  • DVIP Hammersmith and Waterloo: 020 7633 9181 - support for men to learn to change their behaviour and have safer, healthier relationships
  • The Respect Phoneline: 0808 802 4040 - a confidential and anonymous helpline for domestic violence perpetrators looking for help to address their behaviour 

Support for male victims

  • Men’s Advice Line: 080 8801 0327 - a free confidential helpline for any man experiencing domestic violence and abuse from a partner, ex-partner or other family member Telephone: 
  • Survivors UK: 020 3598 3898 - provides information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused Telephone: 
  • The Mankind National Initiative Helpline: 01823 334244 - a confidential helpline is available for male victims of domestic abuse and male victims of domestic violence across the UK

Free legal advice

Drugs and alcohol

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Other support services

  • Chinese Information and Advice Centre: 0300 201 1868 - advice and support to victims of domestic violence
  • Hollie Guard - smartphone app that provides enhanced levels of protection. In danger? With a simple shake or tap it activates Hollie Guard, immediately notifying your chosen contacts, pinpointing your location and sending audio and video evidence directly to their mobile phones
  • National 24hr Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247
  • National Stalking Helpline:0808 802 0300 - provides advice and advocacy support to victims of stalking:
  • Rape Crisis:  0808 802 9999 - support to victims of sexual abuse
  • Sharan Project: 0844 504 3231 – support for South Asian women 
  • Shelter: 0808 800 4444 - help if you are homeless 
  • SignHealth is a specialist service for deaf adults and children who have experienced abuse. The service offers practical and emotional support to deaf people who are experiencing domestic abuse, witnessed domestic abuse and to those who have survived it.
  • Southall Black Sisters: 0208 571 9595 – support for victims with no recourse to public funds 
  • The Disrespect Nobody – information on relationship abuse
  • The Dog Trust Freedom Project - a free fostering service for dogs belonging to people fleeing from domestic abuse
  • Women's aid – Survivors’ forum and live chat
  • Women and Girls Network: 0808 801 0660 - offers free and confidential specialist emotional support for women and girls who have experienced recent or historic sexual violence and abuse. Sexual Violence Helpline 0808 801 0770.
  • Revive Housing Scheme specialises in relocating domestic abuse survivors to permanent social housing in a new and safe environment in a different part of the country. This is a service for existing Housing Association and Council tenants.
  • Stay Put Stay Safe aims to reduce repeat victimisation by improving home security for victims who have been subjected to violence and abuse (or threats) from people who do not normally live with them
  • Bright Sky | Hestia is a free to download mobile app, providing support and information to those concerned that someone they know is experiencing domestic abuse.
    • Available in five languages: English, Urdu, Punjabi, Polish and Welsh
    • A unique UK-wide directory of specialist domestic abuse support services with contact details.
    • Questionnaires to assess the safety of a relationship, plus a section on dispelling myths around domestic and sexual abuse
    • Links to further resources and information on topics around domestic abuse.
  • Safe Spaces- walk into a TSB bank branch, any Boots UK store, Superdrug Pharmacy, Morrisons Pharmacy, or one of the independent pharmacies and ask to use their Safe Space. Victims can use a private room to make telephone calls, speak to a trained member of staff and access information about available support services.
  • Choice Support - support for people with learning difficulties
  • Rail to Refuge - Women's Aid - free train travel for those fleeing domestic abuse
  • EACH Counselling and Support - a part of ASCENT, a pan-London consortium, through which they deliver one to one counselling and group therapy for women and girls experiencing domestic abuse and trauma (age 16+). They accept self-referrals and referrals from services. Call 020 8577 6059 or email infoascent@eachcounselling.org.uk.
  • Respeito - domestic abuse support for Portuguese speaking men and women in London. Call 0300 365 2800
  • Women and Girls Network
    • Sexual Violence Helpline for emotional support and a safe space to talk - Freephone number:  080 8801 0770
      • Monday to Friday - from 10am to 12:30pm and from 2:30 to 4pm
      • Wednesday evenings - from 6 to 9pm
    • Practical support - Freephone number: 080 8801 0660 
      • Monday to Friday - from 10am to 4pm
      • Wednesday evenings - from 6 to 9pm

Up to Domestic abuse

Updated: 03/11/2021