Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse can be:
- threatening behaviour
- violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) that takes place in intimate or family-type relationships
Domestic abuse isn’t always physical. Coercive control 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 their victim.
It happens across all ages, social class, race, gender, sexualities and disability. Women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence but men can be victims too.
In 90 per cent of domestic violence incidents, children or young people are in the same or next room. All children or young people witnessing domestic violence are being emotionally abused.
Reach Out
Reach Out is a support service for any adult in Redbridge who is being abused or at fear of being abused. The service provides practical and emotional help, support and counselling whether you wish to remain with your partner or need help to separate.
Contact
If you need help, advice or are concerned for somebody else contact:
- Call: Reach Out on 0800 1456410
- Email: reachout@redbridge.gov.uk
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm excluding bank holidays
For more information about Reach Out and being at risk of domestic abuse during this pandemic, please see our Reach Out page.
Out of hours
- Call: Refuge on 0808 2000 247
- Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
In an emergency
If it is an emergency, call 999
If you dial 999 but are unable to speak, you can press 55 to indicate this to the emergency services.
Are you at high risk or serious harm?
If any of the following are happening to you, you could be at risk of serious harm we strongly encourage you to seek support and protection from the Police or another domestic violence service:
- violence is getting worse or you have been seriously hurt
- you have been threatened
- you have recently separated or told your partner you are going to leave
- the perpetrator has access to weapons
- the perpetrator has raped or sexually assaulted you
- the perpetrator is harassing or stalking you after you have left
- the perpetrator is extremely jealous, possessive and controlling
- you are pregnant or have recently given birth
- you are socially or culturally isolated by the perpetrator
- there is extended family involvement and collusion with the abuse
- the perpetrator is misusing drugs or alcohol
- the perpetrator is abusive, aggressive or threatening towards your children
- the perpetrator has a history of ignoring or breaking injunctions or other court orders.
Local specialist domestic violence service & housing support
Refuge - Redbridge Violence against Women's and Girls Service
Specialist service for anyone living in Redbridge who has experienced, or is at risk of gender based violence.
For free, confidential advice call Refuge on: 0800 169 7759 or email redbridgevawg@refuge.org.uk.
Redbridge Housing Services
If you are homeless due to domestic violence/abuse the Housing Options Team may be able to help find you a place of safety. If you wish to remain in your current home they may be able to assist you with a sanctuary scheme, to enhance the security in your property, or offer other housing options.
Housing advice and options – open 9am to 4.45pm Monday to Friday: 020 8708 4002/4003
Young people as victims of domestic abuse or in violent relationships
Young people can find themselves in abusive or violent relationships. Specialist advice for young people is available:
Childline
A free, private and confidential service for young people under the age of 19, offering support from trained counsellors.
Childline information on healthy and unhealthy relationships
Redbridge Safeguarding Children Partnership
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.
Support for victims from minority groups and in other languages
Women from other countries
Karma Nirvana
Help and support for victims of honour-based violence and forced marriage 0800 5999 247 (24 hrs). View Karma Nirvana website
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice
Forced Marriage Unit - For women in fear of forced marriage 0207 008 0151 (or 0044 207 008 0151 from overseas)
View Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice website
Ashiana
Advice and support for Asian, Turkish/Kurdish and Iranian women. Call 0208 539 9656 or visit the Ashiana website.
Aanchal Women's Aid
Provides specialist advice and support in seven Asian languages, Lithuanian, Polish and Russian to women suffering domestic abuse, 24hr helpline 0845 451 2547. Visit Aanchal Women's Aid website.
Support for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans (LGBT) victims
Broken Rainbow
Specialised support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender victims of domestic violence.
Call 08452 60 44 60 (Monday from 2pm to 8pm, Wednesday from 10am to 1pm, Thursday from 2pm to 8pm) or visit the Broken Rainbow website.
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
Information for lesbians, gays and bisexuals on legal services, support services and counselling 0207 837 7324.
Minicom: 0207 837 7324.
Tel: 0800 169 7759
If you are in a violent relationship, what can you do?
- recognise that what is happening to you is domestic violence, and that it is unacceptable
- accept that you are not to blame
- contact the Police or one of the specialist domestic violence services
Get help if you think you may be an abuser
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be an abuser, there is support available.
Respect: a helpline for domestic abuse perpetrators that directs them to programmes in the local area. The helpline also takes calls from (ex)partners, friends and relatives who are concerned about perpetrators.
Telephone: 0845 122 8606.
If you hear domestic violence
If you hear domestic violence taking place next door, you should report it to the Police immediately.
There are many signs of domestic violence 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.
Further advice and the survivor's handbook
More information is available on the Central Government website, including on:
- Signs and behaviours to help you recognise you may be in an abusive relationship
- The domestic violence disclosure scheme
- Applying for settled status and benefits
- Universal credit adjustments
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, with simple guidance on every aspect of seeking support.
Domestic violence homicide review
When someone has been killed as a result of domestic violence (domestic homicide) a review into the help and support they may have received from the Council, Police and other agencies should be carried out.
What happens when someone is killed as a result of domestic violence?
Professionals involved in the case must review what happened so that they can identify what may need to be changed to reduce the risk of it happening again in the future.
The Home Office has published guidance on when a domestic homicide review needs to be carried out and how to do this. Domestic homicide reviews are not enquiries into how the victim died or into who is responsible. The purpose of a Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) is to understand where there are lessons to be learned and make recommendations to prevent future homicides.
Domestic Homicide Reviews are carried out at the request of the Chair of the Redbridge Community Safety Partnership, based on advice provided by the Home Office and following consultation with the wider Community Safety Partnership (CSP). If it is decided to carry out a DHR an independent chair agreed with the Home office will be appointed who will carry out the investigation, with any support needed provided by the CSP. The final report will be provided to the Home Office and where appropriate any findings and recommendations will be published.
Family members, friends and colleagues of the victim are important to the DHR process. The independent chair will aim to make contact with friends and family, to enable them to inform the review and build a complete view of the circumstances leading up to the homicide.
The Home Office are informed of any decision to carry out or to not carry out a DHR and the secretary of State can direct that a DHR is carried out if they feel it is appropriate or necessary.
Published reports