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Domestic Abuse support

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone from any walk of life regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality or social background.

Domestic abuse is often defined as the abusive behaviour of one person towards another where they are personally connected and each is aged 16 or over.

This could be a single incident or a course of conduct. Abusive behaviour includes:

physical or sexual abuse
violent or threatening behaviour
emotional abuse
controlling or coercive behaviour
economic abuse
psychological, emotional or other abuse.

Domestic abuse can occur between two people who are intimate partners, ex-partners, family members or individuals who share parental responsibility for a child. The victim/survivor and perpetrator do not have to live in the same household.

Children related to the victim or perpetrator who see, hear or otherwise experience the effects of abuse are also recognised as victims.

As a Diocesan Safeguarding Team, we are committed - along with other colleagues - to raising awareness within our churches of domestic abuse and the many forms it can take, and to equip them to respond better and signpost to support.

Click to find out more about some of the ways we are doing this

Support for those experiencing domestic abuse

We also want to help people experiencing or affected by domestic abuse to get the support they need.

In the first instance, if you or someone else are in immediate danger please call 999
If you can’t speak, cough, or tap the handset then press 55 on your phone – the police will know it’s an emergency.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, we want to help.

You are not alone.

1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse.
1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse.
1 in 5 children have lived with an adult perpetrating domestic abuse.

Below, we outline some of the local and national support available. Scroll through or click one of the areas listed below.

Kent and Medway
Bromley
Bexley
National support

Kent and Medway

Victim Support
In Kent and Medway you can access domestic abuse services by contacting Victim Support for assessment and referral to your local service by calling 0808 168 9111 or using the Live Chat facility.

The phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Visit: www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/kent/

Oasis Services (Medway)

A charity helping people in East Kent, Medway and North Kent find the strength and support to leave an abusive relationship.

Helpline: 0800 917 9948
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:30am to 11:30am, 12:30 to 2:30pm
Thursday, Friday 9:30am to 11:30am

For help outside of these times call the free 24/7 national helpline on: 0808 2000 247

Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Service (DAVSS) - West Kent

DAVSS is an award-winning community-based charity supporting any victims (aged 16 and above) of domestic abuse, who are living in West Kent (including Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, and Tunbridge Wells council areas.)

Help Line Telephone: 01892 570538 10am to 1pm from Monday to Friday (Messages may be left outside these hours and will be responded to as soon as possible.)
For all non-helpline enquiries please call: 01892 502074
Email: office@davss.org.uk
If you wish to make a referral please go to: www.davss.org.uk/referral/

Visit: www.davss.org.uk/

Protection Against Stalking (PAS)

A national Kent-based charity working within communities to raise public awareness about stalking and providing support to victims of stalking through specialist support services.

They understand the harmful effects of stalking on people's lives and are committed to raising awareness of the signs and educating about the benefits of early intervention.

If you feel you are being stalked and in immediate danger – call 999
If you believe you are being stalked, but not in immediate danger, contact support@protectionagainststalking.org

Visit: www.protectionagainststalking.org/

Bromley

Bromley and Croydon Women’s Aid (BCWA)
BCWA offers free support and advice to all Bromley residents and council staff who have experienced domestic abuse.

To speak with someone trained to provide you with emotional and practical support:

Phone: 020 8313 9303
Email: info@bcwa.org.uk
Visit: Bromley and Croydon Domestic Abuse Service (bcwa.org.uk)

South London Assessment and Referral Service (Victim Support)
Freephone Support Line – 0808 168 9291 (open 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday, 9am – 7pm weekends, 9am – 5pm bank holidays).

Out-of-office hours, this number will automatically redirect calls to a 24-hour support line.

Ask for ANI
Pharmacies across Bromley are supporting victims of domestic abuse through the Ask for ANI scheme.

When someone uses the codeword “ANI” or asks for help, the member of staff will ask the victim to accompany them to a consultation room. They will then check whether the victim is in danger and wants the police to be called.

If so, the staff member will offer the use of a phone to dial 999 or make the call on the victim’s behalf.

This may be the only opportunity for a victim to contact the police and get immediate help, but in some cases, the victim may not need emergency help and the staff member will assist them to contact a national domestic abuse helpline or local support service.

They may also contact the police via 101.

Find out more

Bexley

Solace
If you are worried about domestic or sexual abuse call Solace on 0203 1984 659 for free and confidential advice and support for women and men in Bexley.

Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional or financial which takes place in an intimate or family relationship.

Call: 0203 1984 659
Email: bexley.community@solacewomensaid.org
Visit: solacewomensaid.org

South London Assessment and Referral Service (Victim Support)
Freephone Support Line – 0808 168 9291 (open 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday, 9am – 7pm weekends, 9am – 5pm bank holidays).

Out-of-office hours, this number will automatically redirect calls to a 24-hour support line.

Ashiana
Offers advice and support for South Asian, Turkish or Iranian women as well as one-to-one counselling for women and girls who are experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Other nationalities will be considered if there are substantial similarities in culture, religion or language which will enable staff to offer a culturally appropriate service.

Call: 0208 539 0427
Visit: www.ashiana.org.uk

Women and Girls Network (WGN)
Women and Girls Network’s Sexual Violence Helpline offers free and confidential emotional support for anyone in London who self-identifies as a woman (aged 14+) and has been affected by any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.

The helpline number is 0808 801 0770 and is open Monday to Friday 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm.

The helpline also provides out-of-hours support on Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 9pm.

Ask for Angela
The safety initiative ‘Ask for Angela’ is being rolled out to bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across London.

People who feel unsafe, vulnerable, or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’.

This code phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police.

Find out more

National support

Victim support
Victim Support is a national, independent charity providing support to victims of crime. Their support is free, confidential, and tailored to the needs of each person.

Call: 08 08 16 89 111
Visit: www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Suzy Lamplugh Trust and National Stalking Helpline
Operated by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the National Stalking Helpline gives practical information, support, and advice on risk, safety planning and legislation to victims of stalking, their friends, family and professionals working with victims.

Call: 0808 802 0300
Visit: www.suzylamplugh.org

Deaf Hope
Deaf Hope is the only sign-language based service designed to help deaf women and children who suffer domestic violence.

For help text – 07970 350 366
E-mail – info@signhealth.org.uk
Visit – www.signhealth.org.uk

HollieGuard app
The HollieGuard app is a personal alarm, deterrent, evidence catcher, and more. Providing more functionality than a regular keyring alarm, it is for absolutely anyone who has safety in mind.

Once an alert has been raised, every 5 seconds the platform will update your precise location based on your speed and movement activity to identify where you are.

Your phone’s camera is activated, sending a message and recording to your pre-defined emergency contacts.

Visit: www.hollieguard.com

Safe and the city app
Keep safe on the go with the Safe and The City app by receiving real-time notifications from official sources to know what's ahead and how to plan your next move:

Reach emergency services wherever you are.
Shows the best walking and public transit routes rated by people like you so you are shown the best way.
Share any incident, where and when they happen on the app to protect your friends and the people around you on Whatsapp, Messenger, SMS, Twitter or preferred social media.

Visit: www.safeandthecity.com

Stonewall
This service aims to provide efficient housing advice and resettlement support to LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic abuse

Ashiana
Offers advice and support for South Asian, Turkish or Iranian women as well as one-to-one counselling for women and girls who are experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Other nationalities will be considered if there are substantial similarities in culture, religion or language which will enable staff to offer a culturally appropriate service.

Call: 0208 539 0427
Visit: www.ashiana.org.uk

Protection Against Stalking (PAS)

If you feel you are being stalked and in immediate danger – call 999
If you believe you are being stalked, but not in immediate danger, contact support@protectionagainststalking.org

Visit: www.protectionagainststalking.org/