Domestic Violence
You have the right to live your life free from fear or violence. You can get help
Domestic violence happens to 1 in 4 women at some stage in their lives, regardless of age, sexuality or background, or race. You may feel humiliated, frightened, ashamed, alone and confused – but you are not to blame.
You have the right to live your life free from fear or violence. You can get help.
Domestic violence is usually perpetrated by men against women, but not exclusively. Domestic violence occurs in all groups and sections of society and may be experienced differently due to race, sexuality, disability, age, religion, culture, class or mental health.
Violence can take place inside or outside of the home. It can occur in lesbian and gay relationships or be from a woman to a man. The abuse may also be from a brother, father, son, female family member, carer, lodger or ex-partner.
Types of domestic violence
- Physical assault – hitting, kicking, biting, scalding
- Threats of violence
- Sexual abuse – being made to do things you don’t want to
- Humiliation
- Rape
- Disrespect
- Verbal abuse – shouting, name calling
- Destructive criticism
- Psychological abuse
- Financial abuse – taking your money, not letting you have access to your money
- Mental cruelty
- Social isolation – making it hard to see friends and family
What can Clapham Park Homes do to help?
- We will assist all customers and their family members suffering from domestic violence.
- If you or your family members are in immediate danger, we will call the emergency services on 999. If children are at risk, we are required to alert the appropriate authorities.
- We will treat information you provide as confidential.
- We will supply you with the details of the relevant support agencies.
- We will provide a telephone and privacy to allow you to make contact with support agencies.
- We may contact and direct you to a local authority if you need to find a refuge immediately.
- We will ensure that tenants and leaseholders are given appropriate and accurate advice regarding their housing options, including any legal rights and responsibilities.
Remember that domestic violence is rarely a one-off event and tends to increase in frequency and severity over time. There is no need to continue to live in fear or feel that the abuse is your fault.
Three key steps you can take
- Recognise that this is happening to you.
- Accept that you are not to blame because no-one deserves to be abused – whatever you may have said or done that may be part of why you and your partner are not getting on. Nothing excuses abuse and it is not your fault.
- Get help and support. You do not have to deal with this alone, you can get help and support from a wide range of organisations (such as those listed at the end of this leaflet). It is important not to keep abuse secret – remember you have nothing to be ashamed of. Abusers themselves are responsible for their behaviour.
Contact Clapham Park Homes
Clapham Park Homes,
1 Headlam Road, SW4 8HP.
Tel: 0800 783 1118
Advice Agencies
National Domestic Violence Helpline
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
A 24-hour freephone number which provides access to emergency refuge accommodation, as well as an information service.
Women's Aid
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
www.womensaid.org.uk
Advocates on behalf of abused women and children and provides services and support including refuge accommodation.
Refuge
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
www.refuge.org.uk
Refuge is the UK’s largest single provider of safe accommodation and support to women and children escaping domestic violence.
The Hideout
The Hideout is the first national website to support children and young people living with domestic violence, or to those who may want to help a friend. The site informs children and young people about domestic violence.
Childline
Freepost NATN 1111
London E1 6BR
Tel: 0800 1111 / 0800 884444 (for children living away from home)
Minicom: 0800 400 222
(M-F 9.30-9.30, S-S 9.30-8pm)
www.childline.org.uk
Email: info@childline.org.uk
The UK's free helpline for children and young people, providing a confidential telephone counselling service for any child with any problem, 24 hours a day, every day.
Refugee Council
Tel: 020 7346 6700
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
The Refugee Council is the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. It not only gives direct help and support, but also works with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed.
Latin American Women's Rights Service (LAWRS)
Domestic violence team:
Tel: 020 7336 0888
Email: lawrs@lawrs.org.uk
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
A Pan – London organisation Spanish and Portuguese speaking staff.
Visit the anti-social behaviour pages of the Home Office's website for for general information about what anti-social behaviour is, and what you can do if you encounter it.
If you have a nuisance neighbour and they are a homeowner, private sector or council tenant, you should contact your local authority to lodge a complaint. If they are a housing association tenant, contact the housing association directly.
Top tip
If the anti-social behaviour you're experiencing is causing you alarm, you may want to speak to your local neighbourhood police.
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Clapham Park Homes is a part of Metropolitan Housing Partnership, a unique network of locally focused member organisations working together to provide housing, regeneration, community, care and support services.
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