VAWG and Domestic Violence Services
Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) services are still in operation. Please see below for all support available. For more information visit Domestic Abuse Website.
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 you having to speak.
Our Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA) and Hate Crime Casework service are still available. However, due to Government guidelines around Covid 19, the drop-in service at the Shadwell Centre will not be available, neither will our Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop.
If you are experiencing domestic or ‘honour’ based abuse currently and would like emotional or practical support over the telephone, there are several options:
Local support:
| Tower Hamlets Local Support Services | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Tower Hamlets Victim Support IDVAs |
0207 364 7957 / 2448
Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm |
|
|
0808 1689 111
(24- hour support line) |
| Tower Hamlets Crisis Intervention Service |
020 3222 4027
Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm Weekends -10am to 6pm |
|
Stratford / Thames Magistrates Court updates |
0300 303 0645 Email: northlondonmc@justice.gov.uk |
|
Bowling & Co Solicitors
(Legal advice relating to domestic abuse and family law, such as non-molestation orders, child arrangements, or divorce) |
020 8221 8000
07464 925 083 (in case of emergencies)
Email: family@bowlinglaw.co.uk |
|
Tower Hamlets VAWG Team
Duty line for signposting professionals and victims onto specialist VAWG services. |
0800 279 5434 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Email: Domestic.Violence@towerhamlets.gov.uk
|
|
Tower Hamlets Housing Options Service Team (HOST)
Will no longer have a drop in service. For those at risk of homelessness contact HOST |
020 7364 7474 Monday to Friday- 9am to 5pm
After 5pm call their emergency line on 020 7364 4079 |
| Adult Safeguarding Team | 020 7364 5005 |
| Children Safeguarding Team | 020 7364 3444 |
If you require information or advice about a court related case, please contact the Police Officer in charge or your IDVA/Support Worker.
National support:
|
Tower Hamlets National Support Services |
Contact Details |
|---|---|
|
National Domestic Violence Helpline
For free safety advice and refuge spaces is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week |
0808 2000 247 |
| Galop (LGBT + community) |
0800 999 5428
Monday - Friday 10am to 12.30pm & 1.30 to 4pm
Email: help@galop.org.uk |
| Men’s Advice |
0808 801 0327 Monday-Friday (9am-8pm Monday & Wednesday; 9am-5pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
Email: help@galop.org.uk |
|
Provides advice and support for deaf adults and young people experiencing domestic abuse. |
020 3947 2600 (all calls to the domestic Abuse Team are being redirected – if unable to get through then please email the service). Text 07970 350366
Email: da@signhealth.org.uk |
| Rights of Women | Offer free legal advice and have online guidance on issues such as: immigration and asylum, child contact arrangements and criminal law. |
| Surviving Economic Abuse | If you are experiencing economic abuse, Surviving Economic Abuse has practical advice. |
| Women’s Aid have an online support service. They also have provided survivors a COVID-19 safety guide. Women’s Aid and Imkaan also coordinate free rail travel via the “Rail to Refuge” Scheme once a refuge place has been offered. | Monday to Friday 10am-12pm |
|
Provides a free-to-download mobile app, Bright Sky, which hides as a weather app but provides support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know. |
Other VAWG support:
| Other VAWG Support Services | Contact Details |
|
If you are a girl (aged 14+) or woman and have been a victim of sexual assault, you can contact Rape Crisis. For survivors aged 16+ Rape Crisis have a Live online Chat Helpline open Monday to Friday (Various times) |
0808 802 9999
Everyday between 12-2.30pm and 7-9.30pm
|
|
Provides outreach support to women involved in prostitution continue to support women |
0800 133 7870
|
| Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) |
020 7377 8725
Monday to Friday- 9am to 5pm
|
|
Can be contacted for advice and support or you can contact them via facebook: Forced Marriage page. |
020 7008 0151
Email: fmuoutreach@fco.gov.uk |
|
Organization supporting those at risk of ‘honour’ based abuse and forced marriage |
0800 599 9247
Monday to Friday- 9am to 5pm
Email: support@karmanirvana.org.uk |
|
If you are experiencing stalking or harassment.
|
0808 802 0300
Monday to Friday- 9.30am - 4pm except for Wednesdays when it is open 1 - 4pm
|
|
If you believe that someone is being trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation you can report your suspicions. |
08000 121 7000 |
Perpetrators of abuse
If you are worried about how you are treating your partner or family member and want to stop your behaviour, you can contact Respect on 0808 802 4040 or email: info@respectphoneline.org.uk
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
- Report it via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or complete the form
- Silence Shields Abuse Campaign, contact Solace – 0808 802 5565
Contact Information
Domestic Abuse
Tel: 0800 279 5434
Email: domestic.violence@towerhamlets.gov.uk
You could be the person that makes a difference.