Forced marriage and school holidays

As the school holidays approach and travel restrictions are lifted, there is a risk of children being taken abroad, and being forced to marry. Forced marriage is illegal.

We need to stay alert to Signs of children and young people being in potential danger of Forced Marriage. It is important to act quickly, without alerting family members or friends who may be part of the plans.

Find out how to get help

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Housing and accommodation services

Homlessness advice

You can apply as a homeless person if you can't stay in your home. The council has to give you advice about finding somewhere to live. You are entitled to apply to any local authority and you will not be referred back to your local authority of residence if there is a risk of violence if you return.

You will not be considered ‘intentionally homeless’ if you leave your home or have left your home because of domestic violence. If the council has a duty to find you somewhere to live you will be asked to provide details of your situation. You may be asked for supporting evidence, which could include details and dates of incidents. You can take a friend or an adviser with you for support.

Everything you share with your case worker will remain confidential and you will not have to report any incident to the police if you seek help from the council.

Homelessness advice for victims of Domestic Violence

 

 

Housing and accommodation support services

Housing and accommodation support services
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National Domestic Violence Helpline

(Refuge)

Run by Refuge, is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf.

The Helpline can provide details of refuges that have space to accommodate women fleeing domestic violence and abuse. All calls are completely confidential. Translation facilities for callers whose first language is not English, and a service for callers who are deaf or hard of hearing are available.

Tel: 0808 2000 247

 

Shelter

Helps people struggling with bad housing or homelessness through advice, support and legal services.

Housing Advice helpline 

Tel: 0808 800 4444 

London Public Advice Line

Tel: 0344 515 1540 

Stonewall Housing

Is the specialist lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) housing advice and support provider in England.

Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm

Tel: 020 7359 5767

Galop Advice Line 

Tel: 020 7704 2040

Tower Hamlets Floating Support Service 

The aim of the service is to prevent tenancy breakdown amongst residents and to support people to manage and maintain independent living. The service offers brief interventions and/or short-term targeted support to people in Tower Hamlets.

These will include:

  • people moving on from hostels or temporary accommodation, 
  • people who are at risk of domestic abuse,
  • people with a learning disability who require some additional support and
  • people experiencing substance misuse problems.

Sundial Centre, 11 Shipton Street E2 7RU.

Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. 

 

For more information or to make a referral please call:

Tel: 020 3828 4916

Email towerhamletsfs@peabody.org.uk

Tower Hamlets Housing Options Team

Helps clients who are at risk of being made homeless. They can offer advice and assistance to victims of domestic violence who may need help with accommodation.

The service is completely confidential, and interviews take place in private. They will try to ensure that clients are seen by an officer of the same gender and will provide translation where needed.

Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm

Tel: 020 7364 7474

Out of hours

Tel: 020 7364 4079

 

 

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VAWG service directory

You can find lots of other useful services on the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) service directory homepage.