Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

Advice and contact details for people suffering from domestic abuse.

Definition of Violence Against Women and Girls (United Nations Declaration on Elimination of Violence against Women)

Any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women [or girls], including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.” (1993, Article 1)

It includes:

  • domestic violence and abuse (coercive control, economic, physical, psychological, and sexual)
  • forced marriage
  • faith based abuse
  • harmful practices (including female genital mutilation also known as cutting)
  • honour based violence
  • prostitution and human trafficking
  • sexual exploitation
  • sexual harassment
  • sexual violence and rape
  • stalking.

Men and boys can also experience some forms of VAWG but these crimes are disproportionally perpetrated against women and girls based on their gender.

Read our strategy for ending VAWG in H&F.

How do I contact the police?

If you are in immediate danger call the police on 999.

There are three police stations in the borough. Visit the Metropolitan Police website for more information.

Hammersmith & Fulham Police general number is 101.

Hammersmith & Fulham Police Community Safety Unit (CSU) is on 020 8246 2828 - The CSU investigates hate crimes, including domestic violence, in the borough. Officers are specially trained to deal with these crimes and there is an answer phone for out of hours calls.

Safe Spaces

UK SAYS NO MORE is working with Boots UK, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, HSBC, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK to provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse.

How to access a Safe Space

  • Walk into any participating Safe Space in the UK
  • Ask a member of staff at the counter to use their Safe Space
  • You will be shown to the Safe Space which will be a private room
  • Once inside you can use the Safe Space in whichever way works for you. They provide a safe and discrete way to reach out to friends and family, contact specialist support services and start your journey to recovery.

Find a safe space near you: Safe Spaces Locations - UK SAYS NO MORE

MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference)

Please click here for information on our MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference)

  • Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), also known as “Clare’s Law” 

    The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), also known as “Clare’s Law” enables the police to disclose information to a victim or potential victim of domestic abuse about their partner’s or ex-partner’s previous abusive or violent offending.

    The Act does not change the legal basis under which the police can make a disclosure, but places a duty on the police to have regard to the guidance about the DVDS.

    The DVDS, often referred to as “Clare’s Law”, was implemented across all police forces in England and Wales in March 2014.

    The scheme has two elements: the “Right to Ask” and the “Right to Know”. Under the scheme an individual or relevant third party (for example, a family member) can ask the police to check whether a current or ex-partner has a violent or abusive past. This is the “Right to Ask”. If records show that an individual may be at risk of domestic abuse from a partner or ex-partner, the police will consider disclosing the information.

    The “Right to Know” enables the police to make a disclosure on their own initiative if they receive information about the violent or abusive behaviour of a person that may impact on the safety of that person’s current or ex-partner. This could be information arising from a criminal investigation, through statutory or third sector agency involvement, or from another source of police intelligence.

    A disclosure can be made lawfully by the police under the scheme if the disclosure is based on the police’s common law powers to disclose information where it is necessary to prevent crime, and if the disclosure also complies with established case law, as well as data protection and human rights legislation. It must be reasonable and proportionate for the police to make the disclosure, based on a credible risk of violence or harm.

    To make a request for information visit: Request information under Clare's Law: Make a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) application | Metropolitan Police

    For more information Clare’s Law visit Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme factsheet - GOV.UK

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Need support?

  • Help for women

    The Angelou Partnership has been commissioned by Hammersmith and Fulham Council to deliver the borough’s Violence Against Women and Girls services.

    Angelou contact details

    If you would like to talk about your situation or the situation of someone you know, get in touch:

    Translators are available.

    Outside these hours the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24hrs a day on 0808 2000 247.

    The Angelou Partnership can offer support ranging from increasing safety and understanding the criminal justice system, to enhancing emotional wellbeing. The partnership can support you over the phone, face to face, or in a group format depending on the needs and preferences of the survivor.

    The kind of issues the partnership can help with includes:

    • sexual violence or abuse, including rape and child exploitation
    • domestic abuse, this includes familial as well as partner relations
    • stalking and harassment
    • harmful practices, such as FGM and honour-based violence
    • faith-based violence
    • support tailored to specific backgrounds and needs, such as ethnicity and sexual orientation.

    The Angelou Partnership brings together the specialisms of ten organisations to deliver a streamlined and holistic approach to tackling issues of violence that disproportionally affect women and girls. See more information about these individual organisations: 

    ADVANCE: Lead organisation for the partnership. Specialists working with women who have experienced domestic abuse 

    Women and Girls Network: Engaging and educating younger women 

    Sexual Violence Helpline | Women and Girls Network: support for women and girls 14+ who have experienced sexual violence

    Woman’s Trust: Therapeutic support for women ready to explore and recover from their experiences

    Solace Women’s Aid: Holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives free from abuse 

    Al Hasaniya: Specialists in domestic abuse within Arabic communities 

    Hestia: For women who have experienced domestic abuse. Specialist in family work, refuges and group work 

    Standing Together Against Domestic Violence: An umbrella organisation which supports access to services and awareness raising 

    Galop: Support for survivors who identify as LGBTQ+ including anyone who identifies as female or non-binary.

    IKWRO - provides advice and support to Middle Eastern women and girls living in the UK facing ‘honour’ based violence, domestic abuse, forced marriage or female genital mutilation.

    DVIP - With services across London, DVIP work to stop domestic violence and to reduce the harm it causes to women, children and families. 

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  • Help for men

    Men’s Advice Line
    0808 801 0327
    Web chat service also available
    info@mensadviceline.org.uk 
    Mon and Weds, 9am to 8pm; Tues, Thurs and Fri, 9am to 5pm 

    Looking for support after sexual violence? | London Survivors Gateway: Support for anyone including men who have experienced sexual violence.

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  • LGBT+ support for domestic abuse

    National LGBT domestic abuse helpline
    0800 999 5428
    Mon, Tues, Fri 10am to 5pm
    Weds & Thurs 10am to 8pm
    Weds and Thurs 5-8pm - online chat service – access via the website
    You can make a referral or make contact via email help@galop.org.uk
    Please state if it is not safe to contact you via telephone 

    Opening Doors London (ODL)
    Support for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and / or transgender (OLGBT) people.

    Looking for support after sexual violence? | London Survivors Gateway: Support for anyone including those who identify as LGBTQ+ who have experienced sexual violence.

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  • Domestic abuse support for deaf and disabled people

    Sign health 
    Support for deaf people experiencing domestic abuse

    Refuge support for disabled women

    Stay Safe East 
    Support for deaf and disabled people across London

    Adult safeguarding
    If you are being abused or suspect someone is being abused call 020-8753 4198 - option3. 
    Out of hours please call 020 8748 8588.

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  • Information and additional support for survivors

    Action for Elder Abuse
    0808 808 8141

    London Survivors Gateway 
    0808 801 0860
    Information and support for women and men who have experienced any form of sexual violence

    National Centre for Domestic Violence
    0800 970 2070
    Can assist with urgent injunctions 

    National Stalking Helpline
    0808 802 030
    9am to 4pm weekdays except for Wednesdays when it is open 1pm to 4pm.

    Modern Slavery helpline
    08000 121 700

    Forced Marriage Unit
    Advice for British nationals forced into marriage.
    020 7008 0151
    fmu@fco.gov.uk

    NSPCC Female Genital Mutilation Helpline
    0800 028 3550
    fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk

    Victim Support
    0808 168 9111

    Respect
    0808 802 4040

    We are Hourglass 
    We are Hourglass have a confidential services providing information and support to an older person or anyone concerned about an older person who is at risk of, experiencing or recovering from any form of abuse or neglect.
    0808 808 8141 – 24 hour helpline 
    helpline@wearehourglass.org 

    Women’s Aid

    Refuge
    For women and children

    PEGS (Parental Education Growth Support)
    Support for parents and professionals with child to parent abuse

    Holes in the wall
    For information on child to parent abuse

    Other useful services

    Mental health
    Residents may need the help and support of mental health services if they are experiencing domestic abuse or other forms of violence against women and girls. You can call the Hammersmith & Fulham Mental Health Single Point of Access for free on 0800 328 4444.
    This line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

    Samaritans
    116 123 or Text: 85258 (Available 24/7)

    Thinkaction
    0300 012 0012

    Mind infoline
    0300 123 3393

    National Dementia Helpline
    0300 222 1122
    Information, support and advice about dementia.
    Mon to Weds 9am to 8pm 
    Thurs to Fri 9am to 5pm
    Sat to Sun 10am to 4pm 

    Help with drugs and alcohol

    Some people use substances to cope with abuse, if you need help with drug and/or alcohol use, help is available. 

    The Drug & Alcohol Wellbeing Service (DAWS) continue to offer telephone support and key work sessions but due to the coronavirus can only offer face to face appointments in medical emergencies. They will continue to prescribe service users and are sending prescriptions directly to pharmacies.
    All local DAWS services have been closed, except Acorn Hall in K&C where they are running a limited service. 
    020 8740 6815
    daws@turning-point.co.uk
    Wellbeing Turning Point

    Narcotics Anonymous 
    0300 999 1212

    Alcoholics anonymous
    08009177650 
    London 02074070700
    help@aamail.org
    AA are offering online meetings 

    FRANK
    0300 123 6600 or text 82111

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  • Who do I contact for housing support?

    We recognise safe accommodation is vital in supporting survivors of domestic abuse, and other forms of violence against women and girls, who are fleeing domestic violence.

    For housing options and advice please use our housing advice contact form.

    For out of hours support (weekends, bank holidays and after 6pm on weekdays) call out of hours housing service on 020 8753 4200. 

    Council tenants can contact their housing officers directly or through the duty lines, which are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Face-to-face appointments are being limited and residents should try to make contact by telephone.

    North 020 8753 4808 South 020 8753 4327

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  • Safety and security at home

    The borough funds the Sanctuary Scheme which assists survivors of domestic abuse to access extra support to increase safety and security within the home. 

    What is the 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 can help you to stay in your own home while remaining safe from abuse. The scheme helps people who have experienced domestic abuse to increase security and safety within the home and so preventing the need to leave your existing accommodation and support networks.

    Anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse or is in fear of abuse can use this scheme, it doesn't matter whether you are a council tenant, private tenant or own your own home.

    The scheme is monitored and administrated by the housing options and advice service. If you need information about housing options and assistance due to domestic violence, please use our housing advice contact form.

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  •  How do I support children at risk?

    If you are worried that a child or young person is at immediate risk, please contact the Initial Consultation and Advice team (ICAT) immediately at familyservices@lbhf.gov.uk or call 020 8753 6600.

    If you need a service in an emergency between 5pm and 9am on weekdays or 24 hours a day at weekends and bank holidays, contact the Emergency Duty Team on 020 8748 8588

    Further information about child protection

    Additional support for children at risk

    NSPCC
    0808 800 5000

    Childline
    0800 1111

    Challenging Behaviour Foundation
    0300 666 0126
    Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm and Fri 9am-3pm.
    Support for parents with children with severe learning disabilities. Alternatively, families can email support@thecbf.org.uk, and CBF aim to respond within 10 working days but it might take longer over the coming weeks. 
    There is also the Family Carers' Email Network where families are encouraged to support each other. 

    Contact
    0808 808 3555
    Support for families of disabled children, autism and or mild to moderate learning disabilities and can put you in contact with other families 

    National Autistic Society (NAS)
    0808 800 4104
    (NAS) offer support and information on their helpline
    The NAS: Your Community includes a discussion forum

    Family Lives
    0808 800 2222
    Help and advice for parents 

    Mencap
    0808 808 1111

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  • What to do if I’m concerned about a friend or relative? 

    The National Domestic Abuse Helpline have information on supporting a survivor on their website. You can also call their 24-hour helpline for further guidance on 0808 2000 247.

  • How are domestic homicides reviewed?

    A domestic homicide is when someone is killed as a result of domestic abuse. Get further information about what happens when someone is killed as a result of domestic violence and read about domestic homicide reviews in the borough.

  • How do you change your name?

    Please visit the GOV.UK website to change your name by deed poll.

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