Contacts

Current projects

The domestic violence team in conjunction with Tower Hamlets Partnership organises a number of projects aimed at helping those affected by domestic violence.

The Sanctuary Project
If you wish to remain in your home and exclude the perpetrator the Sanctuary Project can provide you with tailored home security and safety planning support.

This project is run by the council in partnership with the police. The service is based on a risk assessment, and aims to prevent homelessness amongst victims of domestic violence.

It is not suitable for victims still living with the perpetrator, or in cases where the risks are so high that re-housing is the only safe option.

For further information contact the Domestic Violence Projects Assistant on 0800 279 5434 or email safehomes@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Warrior Women
Warrior Women is a six week holistic personal safety course for women combining discussion based learning about personal safety issues, and practical self defence taught by a qualified female self defence instructor.

Courses are run at various venues around the borough throughout the year.

For further information see the Warrior Women leaflet or contact the DV Team on 0800 279 5434 or email domesticviolence@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Warrior women leaflet (pdf 575k)

Council support services

In an emergency, always contact the police on 999

Tower Hamlets council is committed to take all steps possible to promote and defend the rights of adults and children to live free from violence, intimidation and abuse.

The council is also committed to working in partnership with statutory and community organisations to prevent domestic violence and reduce the harm it causes to individuals, families and the community as a whole.

The council has a wide range of responsibilities in relation to domestic violence, which arise from its statutory roles as a provider of social and housing services, an education authority, a lead agency for reducing crime and disorder, and as a funder of voluntary sector services.

The council can help in various ways, such as:

Emergency accommodation and housing

If you have to leave your home because of domestic violence, the council’s Homeless Persons’ unit can organise emergency accommodation for you and your children while they investigate your application for permanent re-housing. Interpreters (including sign language) can be arranged.

More information can be found in the Housing section on homelessness advice.

Homeless & Housing Advice Service
Tel: 020 7364 7474 (020 7364 5020 outside of office hours)

Albert Jacob House, 62 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 0PG
Open 9.30am – 4pm Mon – Fri

Housing repairs and lock changes

If you are a council tenant contact your neighbourhood housing office or the housing repairs hotline (Freephone 0800 376 1637, Sylheti line: 0800 376 1638) to organise repairs and lock changes.

Child protection and family support

Children can be deeply affected by domestic violence. Children’s Services have a duty to ensure the protection of children who are at risk of harm, including harm caused by witnessing severe or persistent domestic violence. They can offer a range of support to families experiencing difficulties, based on an assessment of needs.

Find out more about child protection services.

Support for children at school

If your child is experiencing difficulties at school due to domestic violence it is important to discuss this with the school – a range of support can be organised for your child including learning mentors, counselling, and help from the Attendance and Welfare Service.

Find more information on mentoring for school children.

Support for vulnerable adults

Adult Services can provide a range of assistance to adults who are vulnerable due to old age, disability, mental health problems, HIV, or drug or alcohol issues. These services are based on an assessment of needs. Contact the Adults Social Care Team on 020 7364 5005.

Find more information on support for vulnerable adults.

Advice, information and referral

The council’s Community Safety Services Domestic Violence team can provide advice, information and referral to local domestic violence services. The team also works behind the scenes to develop local services for people experiencing domestic violence.

Contact the team during office hours on 0800 279 5434 or email domesticviolence@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Third Party Reporting

If you want to report domestic violence to the police, but do not want to contact the police directly, you can go to any Third Party Reporting Centre, or contact the DV Team on 0800 279 5434 or email domesticviolence@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Tower Hamlets Domestic Violence Forum

Tower Hamlets Domestic Violence forum is a multi-agency group that meets four times a year to promote good practice, share information about service developments, and support networking and communication between professionals on tackling domestic violence. Membership of the forum is open to any organisation or individual living or working in Tower Hamlets.

For more information or to join the forum please contact the domestic violence team on 0800 279 5434 or email domesticviolence@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Support Organisations

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Useful contact information

National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Rights of Women (legal advice) - 020 7251 6577
Victim Support Line - 0845 3030900
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline - 0800 800 5000
Childline - 0800 1111
Shelterline - 0808 800 4444
Broken Rainbow (LGBT DV referral line) - 0845 260 4460
Respect Phoneline (for perpetrators) - 0845 122 8609
Reunite (advice about child abduction) - 0116 2556 234
Men’s Advice Helpline – 0808 8010327

Women’s refuges

Women's refuges provide safe temporary accommodation for women and children, including specialist refuges for black and Asian women, and women with learning disabilities. Refuges have key workers who can help with things like benefits claims and applications for re-housing, as well as provide support and encouragement.

To access a refuge call the Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247 (24 hrs).

Floating support

Tower Hamlets Asian Women’s Aid offer floating support services that provide medium to long term support to women who have been re-housed after escaping domestic violence. Floating support workers conduct risk and needs assessment and agree a support plan with you, designed to help you live safely and independently. The service is specifically for Asian women.

For further information contact Tower Hamlets Asian Women's Aid on 020 7517 1420 / 07904 343 125

Information advice and advocacy

Tower Hamlets Victim Support
Free, confidential support for victims of crime, whether or not the crime has been reported to the police. Information on police, legal and housing procedures, support through court proceedings and referral to solicitors and other agencies. Female Bengali / Sylheti and Somali speakers available. This service is open to anyone, including male victims. For further information telephone 020 8983 5454

East LondonAsian Family Counselling
Confidential counselling service for Bangladeshi families experiencing difficulties including domestic violence. For further information telephone 020 7739 5058.

The Police

The police give a high priority to domestic violence and will treat all calls to violent incidents seriously. In an emergency, call the police on 999.

Tower Hamlets Police Community Safety Unit
A specialist unit dealing with all kinds of hate crime, including domestic violence. Trained officers investigate cases, explain court procedures, put you in touch with support services and give advice on your legal options and safety issues. For further information telephone 020 7275 4757 or visit www.met.police.uk/csu/domestic_violence.htm.

Legal advice and protection

You may be able to get a court order (injunction) to make your partner stay away from you, not harass or assault you, and / or leave the family home. To do this it is best to seek legal advice from a solicitor who specialises in family law.

For further information contact:

Tower Hamlets Law Centre
Legal advice and representation on immigration, housing and welfare benefits. Tel: 020 7247 8998.

Community Legal AdviceA free, confidential and impartial advice service paid for by legal aid. They provide free help or legal advice over the phone for problems with debt, housing, employment, education and welfare benefits and tax credits. For further information telephone 0845 345 4 345 or visit http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/.

Rights of WomenFree legal advice for women over the telephone. For further information telephone 020 7251 6577 or visit http://www.rightsofwomen.org.uk/.

Counselling & support

Women who have experienced domestic violence often find counselling a way forward in helping them to come to terms with their experiences and to be able to move on with their lives.

THPCT counselling & psychology service
A clinical service provided to anyone, from under 5’s to adults. They see both individuals and couples and offer clinical services, bilingual counselling services and disability counselling services.
Tel: 020 7791 3660

Women’s TrustOffer an independent, confidential, women only service who have been or are affected by domestic violence.
Tel: 020 8522 7856 / 7455
Email: admin@wtrusteast.entadsl.com.

Support for children and young people

Children can be deeply affected by domestic violence. There are services that can help children to talk and understand their experiences and help you to rebuild communication and understanding with them.

NCH Barika Project
Provides support for women and children who have experienced domestic violence through one-to-one sessions and group work. This service supports families where the abuse has ended. It is not a crisis or emergency service.
Tel: 020 7364 6230

Step Forward
Confidential counselling service for young people aged 11-25, has Bengali and English speaking counsellors.
Tel: 020 7739 3082
Visit: http://www.stepforward-web.org/.

Childline
Childline is a free helpline for children and young people in the UK. Children and young people can talk about any problem – counsellors are always there to help sort it out. Contact Childline on 0800 1111.

Rape and sexual assault

The Haven
The Haven is a sexual assault referral centre where specially trained, experienced professionals can give you medical help and advice, counselling and practical and emotional support. They can help with the immediate trauma of sexual assault and guide you along the road to recovery. The service is completely confidential. You can phone any time for an appointment on 020 7247 4787.

Survivors UK
Survivors UK provide help for men who have been sexually assaulted or raped.
Tel: / 0845 122 1201 Open: 7pm – 10pm Mon, Tues, Thurs.

Alcohol / drug problems

Drug and Alcohol Service for London (DASL)
Provide support, advice and information to anyone affected by drink or drug problems. DASL has a specialist worker who can support women with drug or alcohol issues who are experiencing domestic violence.

Tower Hamlets Community Drug Team
A direct access service for drug users offering counselling, advice, community prescribing and complementary therapies. Also has a family support service.

For further information telephone 0207 790 1344.

IsisWomen’s Drug Service
Women only drug service, for adults. Service offers comprehensive assessments, treatments, health screening and sexual advice. Also provides shared care prescribing, advocacy, onward referral and access to BBV screening. Service has Somali and Bengali advocates. Drop in from 1 - 4pm Mon –Fri or telephone 020 7426 0399.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender domestic violence

Broken Rainbow
A telephone advice and referral service for people experiencing domestic violence in LGBT relationships. For further information telephone 0845 260 4460.

Tower Hamlets Victim Support Scheme
LGBT hate crime development worker with domestic violence training, able to work with victims in same-sex relationships and male victims who prefer to speak to a male worker. Telephone 020 8981 8421 or visit http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/.

Male victims of domestic violence

It is a common myth that men do not face domestic violence. Men can be victims of abuse in their home either at the hands of their female partner, or from other family members or, in the case of same sex relationships, their male partner.

Male victims of domestic violence can access legal advice and protection, advocacy support, and housing assistance in the same ways as female victims. The council’s domestic violence team will fully support male victims as well as Victim Support.

Men’s advice help line
Provides a range of services aimed primarily at men experiencing domestic abuse from their partner. Provides emotional and practical support and sign-posting to a range of services including housing and legal options. It also provides support to professionals both in statutory and voluntary agencies.
For further information telephone 0808 801 0327.