Domestic abuse and sexual violence support
Help and advice for those who are experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence
Find out how to cover your tracks online
Newham Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Service is a confidential support service for all genders ages 16+. Providing support for all forms of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The service offers:
- Emotional and practical support
- Specialist advocacy services
- Case work support
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) services
- Case work support for women involved in sex work.
Open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
Telephone: 0808 196 1482
Email:InfoNewhamDSV@hestia.org
Website:www.hestia.org
You can also get confidential advice and support from the following
.
| organisation | Service details | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| London Black Women’s Project | Advice and information on services ( women only) | Phone: 020 8472 0528
Website: www.lbwp.co |
| East London Rape Crisis ( NIA) | Helpline support, counselling and advocacy services for all forms of sexual violence ( women only) | Phone: 0800 160 1036 |
| Ascent Pan London VAWG Helpline (providing support for all forms of violence against women) | Telephone helpline support ( women only) and access to specialist counselling services | Phone: 0808 802 5565
Email: advice@solacewomensaid.org |
| No Recourse to Public Funds Advocacy Services ( Solace Women’s Aid) | Telephone advice and case work support on supporting women who have no recourse to public funds | Phone: 0808 802 5565
Email: advice@solacewomensaid.org |
| The Havens | Providing emergency advice for all forms of sexual assault and rape
(all genders) |
Phone: 020 3299 6900
Website: www.thehavens.org.uk |
| National DV Helpline | Telephone advice and access to national refuge accommodation (women only) | Phone: 0808 2000 247
Website: |
| Survivors UK (providing sexual violence support to boys and men) | Telephone advice for boys and men | Phone: 020 3598 3898 Email: help@survivorsuk.org |
| Men’s Advice Line (domestic abuse support for men) | Telephone advice for men | Phone: 0808 801 0327
Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk |
| Bright Sky Mobile App | Free mobile app providing support and information | www.hestia.org/brightsky |
Domestic Abuse is a crime and a major social problem affecting many families. In 90% of reported domestic violence incidents, children have either been present in the same or a nearby room.
Domestic Abuse is a crime. Never hesitate to call the police who have specialist domestic violence officers trained to help children and put you in touch with other agencies who can help you with safety planning, housing issues, drug or alcohol problems or give details of solicitors who can assist you with the legal side of things.
IN IMMEDIATE DANGER?
Call 999 now
NEED TO TALK?
Call 0808 196 1482
» Women’s Aid
If you are female and feel reluctant to speak to the police, we recommend you call Women’s Aid who is an independent charity run by women to help other women. You can speak to them in the strictest confidence about your problems and they can offer you practical and emotional support or help you find emergency refuge accommodation if you are escaping abuse.
Women’s Aid can be contacted on 0808 2000 247
(Free phone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline)
Need to cover your tracks online?
Find out how to cover your tracks online
If you are getting advice online, you may want to make sure that no-one can find out what websites you have visited.
If you are worried that someone is monitoring your internet usage, your safest choice is to use the internet from another place such as a friend’s house, your work, an internet café or local library.
Keeping your email private
Find out what you can do to stop someone else reading your emails.
If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing email messages, you should print them off and save them as evidence of abusive behaviour.
What is Domestic Abuse?
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 came into force in April 2021 and has introduced significant measures to provide improved responses for adult and child survivors of domestic abuse. In Newham, we are committed to addressing all forms of domestic abuse and providing support to survivors who reside, work or visit the borough.
Domestic Abuse can be defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 and over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender and sexuality. The abuse can encompass but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse. This includes abuse experienced post separation and historically.
The experience of children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse is recognised within the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and as a local authority we will provide support and services to ensure children and young people are protected from abuse.
Domestic abuse can include but is not limited to the following;
- Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use of threats of physical or sexual violence)
- Psychological or emotional abuse
- Threats to remove your children from your care
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse and all forms of sexual violence
- Financial and economic abuse
- Stalking
- Harassment
- Online and digital abuse
- Threats to have you deported from the UK
- Female genital mutilation ( FGM)
- Sexual exploitation of children and adults
- Honour based violence
- Forced marriage
- Exploitation through prostitution
- Human trafficking
- Exposure to pornography
We would encourage our residents and visitors to report domestic abuse and seek support from services listed on our web pages.
If you wish to talk in confidence please contact the Newham Domestic Abuse Service on 0808 196 1482. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you have insecure immigration status (for example, No recourse to public funds), we can offer support to you and your family so please do contact any of the Domestic Abuse agencies listed on these pages.
Effects upon children?
Children are affected in many ways by abuse, even after a short time. These effects include:
- Feeling frightened,
- Becoming withdrawn,
- Bedwetting,
- Running away,
- Aggressiveness,
- Behavioural difficulties,
- Problems with school,
- Poor concentration,
- Emotional turmoil.
The longer children are exposed to abuse, the more severe the effects on them are. These can include:
- A lack of respect for the non-violent parent
- Loss of self-confidence, which will affect their ability to form relationships in the future
- Being over-protective of a parent
- Loss of childhood
- Problems at school
- Running away
How does it affect children?
Domestic violence may teach children to use violence
Violence can affect children in serious and long-lasting ways
Where there is domestic violence there is often child abuse
Children will often blame themselves for domestic violence
Alcohol misuse is very common contributing factor when violence occurs in families
Pregnant women are more vulnerable to domestic violence.
Children who witness, intervene or hear incidents are affected in many ways. What can be guaranteed is that children do hear, they do see and they are aware of abuse in the family. Children will learn how to behave from examples parents set for them. Domestic violence teaches children negative things about relationships and how to deal with people. For instance:
- It can teach them that violence is an acceptable way to resolve conflict
- They learn how to keep secrets
- They learn to mistrust those close to them and that children are responsible and to blame for violence, especially if violence erupts after an argument about the children.
Many people find it difficult to understand why people remain in or return to abusive violent situations. A combination of fear, love, the risk of homelessness and financial issues can make it very difficult for partners with children to leave and some may not want to.
What can I do?
Confidential Advice & Support
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you can get confidential advice and support from:
Stratford Advice Arcade (Every Monday, 9.30am – 12.30pm)
107-109 The Grove
Stratford
London
E15 1HP
You can phone
In case of emergency, please dial 999
Aanchal Asian Women’s Aid Helpline: 0845 451 2547
(24 hr)
Newham Police Community Safety Unit on: 101
East London Rape Crisis Service: 0800 160 1036
Rape Crisis London: 020 8683 3311
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
(24 hour freephone)
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000,
Parentline: 0808 800 2222
Childline: 0800 1111
