Preventing homelessness - domestic violence
Domestic violence
- Advice
- Police
- Getting advice from a solicitor
- Sanctuary project
- Other useful organisations
- More information
If you are experiencing domestic abuse you will need advice and support, legal protection, measures to keep you safe in your home or to find another, childcare arrangements, financial and practical support.
You can get help from the police. Domestic Violence is a crime and the police take it very seriously. They can enter a home without a search warrant to prevent injury, and they can arrest the abuser if necessary. They can also if you want, arrange medical aid, transport and a safe place for you to go. If necessary, they can accompany you to your residence to provide safety, while you pick up your belongings.
If you are in immediate danger telephone 999.
There are three police stations in the borough - visit http://www.met.police.uk/ (opens new window).
Getting advice from a solicitor
You can get advice on your rights from a solicitor. If you are on a low income or receiving Income Support, you may be able to claim Legal Aid. Make sure you approach a solicitor who specialises in Domestic Violence/Family Law. Legal actions that can be taken to protect you can include:
- Pressing charges - Criminal charge of assault and battery - medical evidence usually required- need to go to court to testify
- Court Injunction-abuser is banned from coming near you
- Non-molestation order- attached to a Court Injunction-if the abuser assaults you they will be immediately arrested (only for those who are living with, or have lived with abuser in past 6 months)
- Ouster order- if you are living together-to remove abuser from property
- Prohibitive Steps Order-prevents children from leaving England
» Free confidential independent legal advice (opens new window)
» Find a local solicitor (opens new window)
» Visit the Law Society website (opens new window)
The Council is committed to preventing homelessness to residents in fear of violence. Victims of domestic violence may:
- risk losing security of tenure of their home
- be unsuitable for emergency accommodation
- face long periods of benefit dependency.
Sanctuary Scheme
Our Sanctuary Scheme works in partnership with ADVANCE, a local voluntary agency that specialises in Domestic Violence Advocacy, providing information, support and advice to people experiencing emotional or physical violence from their intimate (ex) partners.
The Sanctuary Scheme may assist survivors of domestic violence, whether owner occupiers or private tenants. The scheme allows survivors to access extra support to increase security and safety within the home and so preventing the need for survivors of domestic violence to leave their existing accommodation and their support networks.
A Metropolitan Police Crime Prevention Officer will visit those deemed suitable to assess what safety and security measures are required to make the accommodation safe.
The scheme is monitored and administrated by the Advance Worker based in the Housing Options and Advice Service.
For enquiries about this project, or advice with regard to any domestic violence issue, telephone 020 8753 4187.
For more information and to read our leaflets and posters, download the following pdfs:
» Domestic violence poster (pdf)
Or visit the following link:
www.womensaid.org.uk – to search for sanctuary schemes (opens new window).
Visit http://www.standingtogether.org.uk/ (opens new window).
Visit http://www.advanceadvocacyproject.org.uk/ (opens new window).
Information and advice for women experiencing domestic violence:
Women's Aid website http://www.womensaid.org.uk/.
Refuge website http://www.refuge.org.uk/.
Information & advice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people affected by domestic violence:
Broken Rainbow helpline on 08452 604460 and further information can be found on their website http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/.
Information for male victims of domestic violence:
Male Advice Line and Enquiries helpline 0808 801 0327 and the website www.mensadviceline.org.uk.
Information for men who are concerned about their abusive behaviour towards their partner:
Respect helpline 0845 122 8609 and on their website www.respect.uk.net.
Further information about domestic violence can also be obtained from Standing Together Against Domestic Violence, a voluntary sector agency which coordinates domestic violence work around the criminal justice system in the borough and a number of other local domestic violence initiatives: http://www.standingtogether.org.uk/.
