Domestic Violence

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Problems at home? Do not suffer in silence

If you are, or someone you know is, having problems at home you may be experiencing domestic violence or abuse. If this is the case you do not have to suffer in silence. The phrase ‘domestic violence’ makes most people think of being physically hurt but domestic violence occurs in different forms.

Domestic violence includes physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual abuse, and it is experienced by people in intimate or family relationships. It can range from slaps, kicks, blows, shaking, rape and wounding to murder. It also includes intimidation, humiliation, harassment, threats of violence, being forced to marry someone against your will, being kept prisoner in your home or being cut off from family or friends.

Domestic violence or abuse can affect anybody regardless of gender, class, age, race, religious belief, disability or sexual orientation. Violence can and does occur in lesbian and gay relationships and in a tiny minority of cases, is inflicted by women on men; however the vast majority of people who are affected by domestic violence or abuse are women and some of the statistics are alarming:

2 women in the UK are killed each week by a current or former partner
1 in 4 women experience domestic violence at some point in their life
Nationally, the police receive a domestic assistance call every minute

Realising, or admitting to yourself and others that you are experiencing domestic violence may seem very difficult but it is an important step towards getting protection for yourself and your children.

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How Tower Hamlets Homes can support you

Regardless of the abuse you are experiencing:

it is not your fault
you are not alone
you are entitled to live free from fear
you can survive and move on from an abusive relationship

We can:

have a discussion with you to find out what support and advice you need to help you understand the choices that you can make to help stop the abuse.
help you access a range of support services who work with victims of abuse and who can help you deal with your feelings after a crime and offer you help with sorting out practical problems such as repairing broken doors and windows, filling out forms and making complaints.
put you in touch with Sanctuary Project who can provide professionally installed security measures to allow you to remain in your own accommodation where it is safe for you to do so and where it is your choice; and help you work out a safety plan to keep you safe in a crisis.
put you in touch with legal experts and law centres who can provide help with legal advice, representation at court, obtaining injunctions and understanding your legal rights as a domestic abuse victim.
discuss housing options available to you such as safe emergency refuge accommodation, emergency temporary accommodation or securing alternative accommodation.

If you would like to speak to someone you can contact us for support, advice and information – please ask to speak to a Neighbourhood Housing Officer. We will listen to what you have to say, we will not be judgemental and we will maintain confidentiality unless we are meeting our legal duty. We will only share information about you with other agencies with your permission, or if the information is needed to stop you and your children coming to serious harm.

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When you contact us you can expect:

a member of staff will talk to you in a private room
the choice of talking to a male or female member of staff
translation or an interpreter if required
repairs as a result of domestic violence will be carried out in accordance with our repairs policy
to be referred to specialist support services if appropriate
to be referred to the Council’s homeless service if required
to be given advice about any other appropriate action that we can take

Third party reporting

If you would rather speak to someone else for advice and support you can make a report at any third party reporting centre in Tower Hamlets.

What are Third Party Reporting Centres?

We know there are barriers to reporting hate crime and domestic violence. Third Party Reporting Centres (TPTC) aim to overcome them.

TPRC are community locations where you can make a report of hate crime or domestic violence without having to visit a Police Station. The report will be forwarded to the Police and/or council on your behalf, if requested. Staff at TPRC are trained to deal sensitively with victims.

For further information contact the Council’s Policy and Victims Unit on 020 7364 6188.

Click for more details about the Third Party Reporting Centres in Tower Hamlets. (links to Tower Hamlets council website)

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Children

If you are in an abusive relationship and you have children you may find it hard to know what to do for the best. It is important to remember that children are affected by witnessing arguments and assaults and will need support to cope with what it is happening at home. Sometimes the children themselves are hurt or abused. There are organisations in Tower Hamlets who can help you to support and protect your children.

Abusers commonly threaten that your children will be taken away if you tell anyone about the violence at home. This is very unlikely to happen. The Council’s Children’s Service recognises that the best way of protecting children from harm is to support the parent or carer who is not abusive to do the best for the children. If you are concerned about the wellbeing of your children you can contact the Council’s Children’s Social Care Team on 020 7364 5000.

Housing options and legal remedies

There are a number of housing options and legal remedies that are available depending on your circumstances. For information and advice you can contact us, alternatively, with your consent, we can make contact with other organisations on your behalf or give you their details so that you can contact them when you wish to do so.

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Contacts in Tower Hamlets

Call 999 for the police emergency service if you feel you or your children are in immediate danger from a violent partner.
The National Domestic Violence helpline is open 24 hours a day on
0808 2000 247 and provides information, advice, support or emergency refuge accommodation.
The National Centre for Domestic Violence specialises in helping victims of domestic violence to obtain non-molestation and other orders (injunctions) from court to protect them from further abuse. Depending on your financial circumstances, the service they provide is free. The centre can be contacted on 08709 220 704.
Drug and Alcohol Services for London. DASL provides a range of alcohol services in Tower Hamlets, including a Domestic Violence Service. www.alcoholeast.org.uk/tower-hamlets-services.html
RefugeTower Hamlets Domestic Violence Floating Support service. Specialist floating support service for women who are experiencing DV and moving on from their current accommodation or wish to remain in their own home having separated from the perpetrator. Tel: 0207 858 6500
Tower Hamlets Asian Women’s Domestic Violence Floating Support Service. Specialist floating support service for Asian women who are experiencing DV and moving on from their current accommodation or wish to remain in their own home having separated from the perpetrator.
Tel: 07904 343125
Women’s Aid. Tower Hamlets Domestic Violence Forum www.womensaid.org.uk/azfora.asp?section=000100010009&ref=81
Women’s Resource Centre. Tower Hamlets Women’s Aid was set up in 1975 and provides support, information and advice to women affected by domestic violence.
IMECE Turkish speaking Women’s Group on 020 7354 1359 provide advice and support to Turkish speaking women experiencing domestic violence.
Latin American Women’s Aid on 020 7275 0321 is an independent voluntary organisation for Spanish and Portuguese speaking women providing outreach support and advice as well as temporary supported housing.
Tower Hamlets Police Community Safety Unit is a borough based specialist Police unit dealing with the support of victims call 0207 -2754757.
Broken Rainbow is a service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who experience domestic violence. Call the Helpline on 0300-9995428 for information and advice.

More information

For more information, including leaflets on Domestic Violence in English, Bengali and Somali please click the link (links to the Council's website)

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