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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One Stop Shop services in Wandsworth

Free drop-in service providing legal advice, information, and support to those experiencing domestic abuse.

This service is available in two locations:

St. Mark’s, Battersea Rise, SW11 1EJ:

  • Opening times: every Monday between 10.00am to 12.00pm (excluding bank holidays)
  • Appointments: no appointment necessary

Picasso Building, Minstead Gardens, Roehampton, SW15 4EE:

  • Opening times: every Wednesday between 10.00am to 12.30pm
  • Appointments: no appointment necessary

If you need support outside of the hours of the One Stop Shop and Hestia’s Independent Domestic Abuse Advocacy (IDVA) service, call the Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

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

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

  • 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.
  • Choice Support - support for people with learning difficulties
  • Chinese Information and Advice Centre: 0300 201 1868 - advice and support to victims of domestic violence
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Latin American Women’s Rights Service - advice, advocacy and practical support to Latin American women. Call the helpline 0808 145 4909 (Monday to Friday 11am to 1pm), or email referrals@lawrs.org.uk
  • National 24hr Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247
  • National Stalking Helpline:0808 802 0300 - provides advice and advocacy support to victims of stalking:
  • Rail to Refuge - Women's Aid - free train travel for those fleeing domestic abuse
  • Rape Crisis:  0808 802 9999 - support to victims of sexual abuse
  • Refuge - National charity providing advocacy, refuge accommodation, human trafficking and modern slavery and  culturally-specific services to victims of domestic abuse. Contact Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247
  • Respeito - domestic abuse support for Portuguese speaking men and women in London. Call 0300 365 2800
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 
  • 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
  • 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 - The national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. Provides information and support via live chat, as well as resources such as survivor's handbook and a survivor's forum.
  • 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.

Up to Domestic abuse

Updated: 08/12/2022