Domestic abuse

• In case of an emergency
• What is domestic abuse?
• Safety advice if you are living with your abuser
• Worried about a friend or neighbour
• Ask for ANI campaign
• Support services are still operating during the coronavirus pandemic
• Full list of support services
• Help for perpetrators of abuse
• Information or advice about a court case
• Professionals - how to make a referral

In case of an emergency

In an emergency you should always call 999.

If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999, and then press 55. This will transfer your call to the relevant police force who will assist you without having to speak.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse covers a range of types of abuse, including, but not limited to, psychological, physical, sexual, economical or emotional abuse. Domestic abuse can be prosecuted under a range of offences and describes a range of controlling and coercive behaviours, used by one person to maintain control over another with whom they have, or have had, an intimate or family relationship. Domestic abuse is rarely a one-off incident. It is not your fault and you are not alone.

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Domestic abuse is a strand of violence against women and girls (VAWG). VAWG is both a form of discrimination and a violation of human rights. VAWG strands covered by Tower Hamlets include:

• Domestic abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation

• Prostitution

• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

• Honour based abuse

• Forced marriage

• Dowry related abuse

• Stalking and harassment

75 per cent of victims of abuse in Tower Hamlets are women but we also recognise that boys and men are victims of violence too.

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Safety advice if you are living with your abuser

• Keep your phone charged and on you at all times
• Ensure phone credit is topped up
• Keep away from the kitchen if trying to find a safe space / avoid your abuser
• Speak to a trusted neighbour about the situation and ask them to call 999 if they hear loud noises/arguments
• At the first sign of abuse call 999 for help

The Women's Aid website has safety advice and a COVID-19 safety guide

If your abuser has access to your phone/internet access, please delete your browsing history after you have visited the site

Worried about a friend or neighbour

If you are worried that your friend or neighbour is experiencing domestic abuse you can:

• Reach out to the victim and let them know that you care
• Ask the victim if they are ok
• Call 999

Contact Solace's Silence Shields Abuse Campaign if you would like to talk to someone about your concern. Tel: 0808 802 5565

You could be the person that makes a difference.

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Ask for ANI campaign

Ask for ANI is a campaign that helps those at risk or suffering abuse to get support within pharmacies. If you ask a trained pharmacy worker for ANI, they will take you to a private area. They will then help you get support from the police or other services such as a domestic abuse helpline.

The following pharmacies have signed up to this scheme:

• Boots - Bethnal Green Road E2 0DJ
• Boots - Crossrail Place, Canary Wharf E14 5AR
• Boots - Commercial Road E1 0LB
• Lincoln’s Pharmacy - 124 St Paul's Way E3 4QA

Other pharmacies may sign up to this campaign, so please look for Ask for ANI posters in your local pharmacy.

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Support services are still operating during the coronavirus pandemic

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National support

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Other VAWG support

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Full list of support services

 Please see our VAWG directory of support services, who are here help victims or survivors of abuse.

Get help

Help for perpetrators of abuse

If you are worried about how you are treating your partner or family member and want to stop your behaviour

Get help

Information or advice about a court case

If you require information or advice about a court related case, please contact the Police Officer in charge or your IDVA/Support Worker.

Professionals - how to make a referral

• SASS referral form

• Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference - MARAC referral form

• MARAC professional Pack

• DASH Risk Assessment form

• Tower Hamlets Prostitution Partnership referral form (THPP Referral Form)