H&F celebrates 10 years of helping women escape violence

Hammersmith & Fulham Council is celebrating 10 years of our groundbreaking Angelou Partnership which helps local women escape domestic abuse and other forms of violence.

The celebration at Fulham Pier on Monday 23 June saw domestic abuse experts from local charities and H&F Council mark a decade of help and life-changing support for more than 7,500 local women.

Cllr Rebecca Harvey, H&F Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Community Safety, said:

We are so grateful for all the amazing work our partners are doing to protect women at risk. Women shouldn't have to tell their story multiple times – they should get the specialist support they need when they need it.

That's why we're investing another £250,000 this year to end violence against women and girls and help make H&F a stronger, safer and kinder borough."

Our work is led by our pioneering Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy that demonstrates how effective prevention and support works. It's also how we are addressing the requirements in the government's new national strategy to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

A simple but revolutionary approach

The Angelou Partnership brings together 10 specialist organisations, such as Hammersmith-born lead charity, Advance.

This way of working together ensures that anyone experiencing violence at home is only ever one phone call away from getting exactly the right help.

Whether it is emergency housing, legal advice, counselling, or help with immigration issues, any of our 10 partners can immediately make a referral to the right expert who specialises in her exact situation.

This covers everything from domestic abuse and sexual violence to harmful practices like female genital mutilation and forced marriage, with dedicated support for LGBTQ+ women and those from different communities.

Local resident Emma was helped by the partnership to escape her abusive ex-partner-turned-stalker, and to access financial and mental health support.

Emma's story

Read Emma's story (warning: distressing content)

I met my ex at university and we were in a relationship for a couple of years. During that time, he became more and more abusive. He'd make me do sexual acts that I didn't want to do, some of which were dangerous like strangulation.

Because of him, I was in a really dire financial situation. He'd take my money and never return it. He even took pictures of my bank card so he could use it to buy things without my consent. Then there was the expensive gifts he'd manipulate me into buying.

I felt really conflicted because even though I could see the abuse, I still loved him. And there had been times during our relationship when he'd been supportive. When I wasn't with him, I felt a loss.

But ultimately, I knew the relationship was bad for me and attempted to break up with my partner many times.

Each time he'd stalk me and refuse to accept we were over. He'd turn up at my university halls without warning and I'd never know what he was going to be like; sometimes he'd be threatening, other times he'd be sincere and caring. I was always on the alert for him to just show up without warning.

My mental health was really suffering, I felt constantly anxious. I don't even like to think about how bad things would have got if I hadn't been referred to Advance by the welfare officer at university who I finally plucked up the courage to confide in.

When I met Jodie, my independent domestic violence advocate (IDVA), she sat down with me and we talked about what I felt needed to be done to make me feel safe.

Jodie was amazing. Helping me to move to different accommodation, and liaising with campus security to make sure they knew my situation.

Jodie also assured me that she could be with me if I felt comfortable enough to report my ex to the police.

I began to feel a lot safer and in a much better place to start getting support with my mental health.

Jodie supported me in accessing independent mental health support and counselling which made such a difference.

Now, I feel I can better engage with my studies, instead of always worrying about my ex showing up. I feel positive about the future and that is thanks to Jodie.

*names have been changed

Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, said: "We look to the next 10 years to call on community organisations, local authorities, and criminal justice agencies to work together to understand and champion that violence against women and girls is everybody's issue to tackle."

Help is at hand

If you're experiencing abuse, support is available right now.

In an emergency, always call 999.

Get help from the Angelou Partnership:

Call 0800 059 0108 for domestic abuse support (Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Thursday 8am to 9pm)
Call 0808 801 0660 for sexual violence support (Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Wednesdays 6pm to 9pm)
Email angelou@advancecharity.org.uk or advice@wgn.org.uk

Translators are available. Or get help any time, day or night, from the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

For more information visit our Violence against Women and Girls support page. Or find out more about our Angelou partners: