Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

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

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:

• 0808 801 0660: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Wednesdays 6pm to 9pm
• 0800 059 0108: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Thursday 8am to 9pm
• angelou@advancecharity.org.uk or advice@wgn.org.uk
• Angelou website

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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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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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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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

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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Hourglass
Help and support for older people experiencing abuse.
0808 801 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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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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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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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.

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.

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.

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