Domestic violence support services

Information and help for people who are victims of domestic violence.

National Domestic Violence Helpline
0808 2000 247
Victim Support 0208 685 1637
In an emergency dial 999

Internet history... covering your tracks!

If you are worried that someone may find out about the pages you have viewed on the internet you can alter the history of your web browser. You can get advice on covering your tracks from Women's Aid (Note: link opens in new window)

The red hand will immediately take you back to the Sutton Council home page. Red Hand

You may feel it is safer to use an internet connection at an internet café, at the library or at a friend's house. If you use email make sure the password you use cannot be guessed.

Definition of domestic violence

Domestic violence is defined by the Home Office and Association of Police Officers (ACPO) as:

"Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults, aged 18 and over, who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender and sexuality."

Examples of domestic violence

  • Physical - hitting, biting, punching, breaking bones, choking, attempted murder, murder
  • Psychological - constant criticism, bullying, insults, being kept locked up, humiliation, threats to harm or kill, stalking
  • Sexual - forcing sex in ways that hurt or abuse or in front of others, enforced prostitution
  • Financial - keeping someone without money or threatening to withhold money

Advice on leaving safely

  • Have some money saved in case you need to use a taxi or bus
  • Find somewhere you can quickly and safely use the phone should you need to
  • Take important documents such as your marriage and birth certificates, court orders, passport, benefit and bank books and health records
  • Have a small bag packed with an extra set of keys for the house and car, should you need to leave in an emergency
  • If you choose to leave try to take your children with you
  • Take essential medicines that you and your children may need
  • Leave when it is safe to do so

Where to get help!

London Borough of Sutton contacts and services

Housing Advice - rights, responsibilities and advice on housing options including the Sanctuary scheme.
Tel: 020 8770 5800

Group Treatment Programme for Children Who Witness Women Abuse - therapy for children between 4 and 16 who have experienced any form of violence or abuse in their family.
Tel: 020 8404 7973

Caring Dads Programme - programme to help fathers improve their relationship with their children and end controlling, abusive and neglectful behaviours.

Tel: 020 8545 8500

Other local contacts

Sutton Police – Community Safety Unit. Specialist police unit supporting victims and investigating domestic violence incidents. Tel: 020 8649 0739

Victim Support - Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (IDVA).
Tel: 020 8685 1637


Useful websites and contact numbers

24-hour National Domestic Violence run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge, is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf.
Freephone Helpline 0808 2000 247

National Centre for Domestic Violence, free legal advice and help with injunctions.

Tel: 0844 8044 999 (24 hours)

Women's Aid, national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.

Children and young people

The Hideout, website created by Women's Aid giving support to children and young people affected by domestic violence.

ChildLine 0800 1111

National Child Protection Helpline is committed to a service to anyone who needs advice, help or information about concerns for a child's welfare, or to those who want to report concerns they have about a child or young person at risk of abuse.

National Child Protection Helpline (NSPCC) 0800 800 500

Disabled people


UK Disability Forum, information for disabled women about getting help to tackle violence and abuse.

Email Anne Pridmore at llamedos@enna.fsnet.co.uk

Sutton Advocacy Partners - short term advocacy for anyone who has problems in communicating including people with learning difficulties, older people and people with physical and sensory impairments.
Tel: 020 8330 6644

SCILL
Sutton Centre for Independent Living and Learning
Tel: 020 8770 4066

Voice UK, organisation providing advice on finding lawyers specialising in dealing with cases of abuse and crime against people with learning difficulties.

Tel: 0870 013 3965

Elderly


Action on Elder Abuse, charity that aims to prevent abuse in old age.

Helpline 0808 808 8141

Age UK, information on safeguarding older people from abuse.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender

Broken Rainbow, helpline for LGBT people experiencing domestic violence.

National LGBT DV Helpline 0300 999 5428

Are You Hurting the one You Love?, booklet on male violence in gay and bisexual relationships.

www.stonewallhousing.org, housing advice to LGBT victim/survivors of domestic abuse across London.

Tel: 020 7359 5767 (advice)
Email info@stonewallhousing.org

Men


Men's Advice Line provides a range of services aimed primarily at men experiencing domestic abuse from their partner.

Men's Advice Line 0808 801 0327

Mankind, support for Male Victims of Domestic Abuse and Domestic Violence

National Helpline 01823 334244

Perpetrators

Respect is a registered charity and national membership organisation promoting best practice for domestic violence perpetrator programmes and associated support services in the UK.

Respect Phoneline 0845 122 8609

Email info@respectphoneline.org.uk

Legal Advice

Refuge, Domestic Violence help for women and children.

Rights of Women leaflet, this not-for-profit organisation has produced a leaflet on domestic violence and housing which you can download for free.

Tel: 020 7251 6577

Eaves | Eaves, a London-based charity that provides high quality housing and support to vulnerable women.

The Sojourner Project is for women with no recourse to public funds, who entered the UK on a spousal visa and are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the Domestic Violence Rule.

Tel: 020 7840 7147

Email: sojourner@eaveshousing.co.uk

Citizen's Advice Bureau, your local Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) provides free, confidential and independent advice, including advice on housing. The website has information in Welsh, Bengali, Chinese, Gujerati, Punjabi and Urdu, as well as English, and allows you to locate your nearest CAB.

Tel: 020 8405 3552 (Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 4.00 pm)

Sexual abuse

RASASC: Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (Croydon)

National Freephone Helpline 0808 802 9999

Email info@rasasc.org.uk

Counselling/ advocacy: 0208 683 3311

The Havens, support for women, men or children who have been victims of rape or sexual assault.

Survivors of abuse

Network for Surviving Stalking, National Registered Charity devoted to providing support to people affected by Stalking.

National Stalking Helpline 0300 636 0300

Email advice@stalkinghelpline.org

Breaking Free - helpline for childhood survivors of sexual abuse.
Tel: 020 8648 3500

Pet fostering


Dogs Trust Freedom Project Greater London, pet fostering project for women fleeing domestic violence in the Greater London area.
Access the Dogs Trust Freedom Project leaflet (PDF)

Tel: 0800 298 9199

Email freedomproject@dogstrust.org.uk

What London Borough of Sutton is doing to help victims of domestic violence?

The London Borough of Sutton's Domestic Violence Strategic group works to the borough's 3 year domestic violence strategy (April, 2008 – March, 2011), as well as a rolling action plan. There is also a DV Forum made up of practitioners, survivors, and others concerned with improving the safety and options of victims and their children, and effective management of offenders. This group feeds into the Strategic Group to suggest ways of improving service provision.

We also operate a monthly Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), which discusses the highest risk DV cases, with the aim of improving the safety and options of victims and their children, and managing offenders appropriately.

Should you wish to make a referral to the MARAC, or have any other questions relating to domestic violence, please contact Sutton's Domestic Violence Coordinator on 0208 649 0683, or by email at sutton.marac@sutton.gov.uk.cjsm.net.