Domestic abuse and sexual violence
Are you experiencing domestic abuse or have you experienced sexual violence?
Domestic abuse and sexual violence happens in every community and affects people of all genders and ages.
If you or someone you know is being or has been abused by a partner, ex-partner or family member, this may be domestic abuse. Abuse does not need to be physical. Abuse can be emotional, financial, sexual, violent behaviour and/or controlling behaviour.
Sexual violence is any type of unwanted sexual contact. A person may use force, threats, manipulation, or coercion to commit sexual violence. Forms of sexual violence include rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and non-consensual image sharing.
It is important to know that abuse and violence is not your fault and there are support services available to help.
Phone 999 if you are in immediate danger, or ask someone else to phone. State whether you need the police, ambulance or fire service. Try to move to a safe place, avoid kitchens or stairs, and stay near a door for a quick escape if you have to leave the area you are in.
If you are unable to speak when you call 999, press 55 when prompted and your call will be transferred to the police. This only works with mobiles.
If the situation is not an emergency, but you still need the police, call 101.
A non-judgmental physical space for women and girls (or anyone) who has experienced sexual assault, harassment, or abuse to come and speak one-on-one with female experts including a police officer, a domestic abuse specialist, a Redbridge housing officer and an immigration lawyer from Ashiana Network.
Upcoming session
Date and time: Thursday 4 January 2-6 pm
Location: Fullwell Cross Library, 140 High Street, Barkingside, IG6 2EA
A support service for any adult or child aged 16 or over living in Redbridge who is experiencing, or may be at risk of domestic abuse. Reach Out understand that everyone's situation is unique so can support you in a way that works best for you and keeps you safe. Reach Out also support children and young people who have been affected by domestic abuse.
Outside of these hours please contact:
The Havens support anyone in London who has been raped or sexually assaulted in the past 12 months including men, women, young people and children of all ages. The service offers treatment, advice and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
East London Rape Crisis provided by Nia is a free, confidential specialist support service for women and girls who have been raped or experienced any other form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. The helpline includes support/advice for friends, family and professionals.
Specialist advice for young people in abusive or violent relationships is available.
Relationships can be fun and exciting but they can also be confusing and harmful. It’s important to understand what a healthy relationship looks like and to know what isn’t okay.
Read about RSCP's advice on healthy and unhealthy relationships
Aanchal provides advice and support in 7 South Asian languages, including English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Gujarati, Tamil, Bengali.
The Ashiana Network provides advice and support for South Asian, Turkish, Kurdish and Iranian women.
A support service for women and girls affected by gender-based violence and/or abuse within intimate or family relationships. The service is a culturally specific specialist domestic abuse support service run by Eastern European outreach workers that speak Romanian, Russian and Lithuanian.
Karma Nirvana gives help and support for victims of honour-based violence and forced marriage:
Contact the Forced Marriage Unit if you are trying to stop a forced marriage or need help leaving a marriage you have been forced into:
Galop supports LGBTQ+ people who are experiencing domestic abuse and people supporting a survivor of domestic abuse:
The Respect Men's advice line provides help for male victims of domestic abuse:
Domestic abuse isn’t always physical: it can be emotional, psychological, financial, sexual, or a combination of these. Domestic abuse is the abuse from someone within a close relationship or family setting. This behaviour is called coercive control and is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten.
Abusers may carry out physical, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse using technology. This is known as tech abuse.
There are many signs of domestic abuse including: verbal abuse, pressure tactics, disrespect, breaking trust, isolation, harassment, threats, sexual violence and physical violence. The abuser will often deny the abuse is happening.
Women are more likely to be victims of domestic abuse but men can be victims too.
In 90 per cent of domestic abuse incidents, children or young people are in the same or next room.
More information is available on the central government website, including:
Women's Aid, a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children, have produced a survivors handbook, which provides practical support and information for women experiencing domestic abuse. The handbook is also available in multiple languages and audio versions.
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, found on the Government's website, sets out the minimum standards that must be provided to victims of crime by organisations in England and Wales.
Victims of crime should be treated in a respectful, sensitive and professional manner without discrimination of any kind. There are also other rights that are set out in the Code and it explains how to make a complaint if your rights have not been met.
