Tackling Domestic Violence

This leaflet explains how you can get help and support if you are experiencing domestic violence. We hope you find this leaflet informative and useful.

Introduction
Domestic violence is one of the worst forms of abuse. Most people who suffer domestic violence are women and perpetrators (the person carrying out the violence) may be husbands, partners, same sex partners, lodgers, carers, ex-husbands/partners or other family members. However, victims are not always
women; many men also suffer violence from their partners or other people.

Where children live or have lived with a parent who is experiencing domestic violence, the effect can be traumatic for children. The abuse towards the victim can extend to the children themselves and can have damaging emotional and psychological effects.

Forms of domestic violence may include:

• Physical assault - hitting, punching, kicking, slapping
• Threats of violence
• Sexual violence, abuse or rape
• Bullying
• Violence or threats to children
• Humiliation and/or constant ridicule, undermining or criticism
• Deprivation of money or food
• Confinement in the home
• Prevention of working
• Control over when you are able to go out, how long you can be out and who you are able to meet

We are committed to improving our response to tackling domestic violence, by providing support, advice
and assistance.

Our commitment
CARA (Charity No. 1135610) will take all reasonable steps possible to promote and defend the rights of women, men and children to live free from violence, intimidation and abuse.

We will work with other agencies, and in partnership with the police and specialist refuge groups, to make sure that a range of services and support are available to people suffering from domestic violence.

Our service standards
We will...

• arrange emergency accommodation for a tenant or leaseholder who is a victim of domestic violence or hate crime, and is assessed as being in immediate danger, if this will reduce the risk
• respond to serious incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour, Hate Crime, Nuisance and Domestic Violence by
offering an interview or personal visit within 24 hours
• ensure that an interview will take place within 5 working days of receiving the initial complaint, and an action plan will be agreed
• ensure that all complainants will be contacted to review cases at an agreed frequency (at least monthly)
• ensure that all complainants, witnesses and perpetrators will be
informed in writing, within 5 days of a case being closed, giving the reasons for doing so

What Can You Do?
If you are suffering domestic violence there are many people you can go to for help or advice. You can speak to someone from the Domestic Violence and Hate Crime Team. Call Freephone 0800 056 0905

Planning to leave your home
There may be a time when you have to leave your home in a hurry to get away from a particular assault either on a temporary basis or to leave permanently. If you think you might need to do this you can plan by doing the following:

1. Keep an extra set of keys for the house or car, money and a set of clothes for you and your children packed ready in a bag.
2. Keep a note of emergency telephone numbers (see below) and numbers for close family or friends with you at all times.
3. Think of a safe place to use a phone.
4. Keep aside some money for transport.
5. Consider talking to your children about your plans if you think they can cope with this.

Useful Contacts

• Hackney Domestic Violence and Hate Crime Team
0800 056 0905
Monday – Friday 9.30am - 5pm
dvrhadvice@hackney.gov.uk

• The Hackney Sanctuary Support
Officer - 020 8356 5740

• National Domestic Violence Helpline
0808 2000 247 Available 24 hours

• Hackney Police Community
Safety Unit - 020 7275 3087
In an emergency telephone 999

• Broken Rainbow Forum. The pan-London Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence
Forum - 07812 644 914

• NIA Project (Formerly known as Hackney Women’s Aid)
Advice line: 020 7683 1210
Emergency Line: 08457 023 468

• Shelterline
Emergency Housing support service
(open 24 hours) 0808 800 4444

• Hackney & City Victim Support
020 8533 5332

• Childline
24 hour help for children and young people - 0800 111 111

Your local neighbourhood housing offices
• Homerton Neighbourhood Office
92 Well Street, London, E9 7JA
Tel: 020 8356 7800

• Queensbridge and De Beauvoir Neighbourhood Office
31 De Beauvoir Road, London, N1 5SJ
Tel: 020 8356 6600

• North East Neighbourhood Office Clock House, 149 Stamford Hill, London, N16 5LG
Tel: 020 8356 6500

• North West Neighbourhood Office
Stoke Newington Municipal Building,
Stoke Newington Church Street, London, N16 OJR
Tel: 020 8356 6100

• Shoreditch Neighbourhood Office
1 Cropley Street, Bletchley Court, London, N1 7PT
Tel: 020 8356 6705

• Arden TMO
16A Malcolm House, Arden Estate
Shoreditch
London N1 6PN
Tel: 020 7739 7075

• Clapton Park TMO
The Housing Office
4A Gilpin Square
London E5 0HL
Tel: 020 8356 6300

• Cranston South Estate TMO
13 Daniell House
Cranston Estate
London N1 5EH
Tel: 020 7684 6873

• Downs Estate TMO
5 Kingsdown House
Amhurst Road
London E8 2AS
Tel: 020 7923 9053

• Lordship South TMO
14 Lordship Grove
London
N16 OQA
Tel: 020 8211 8363

Tenant Management Offices

• Suffolk Estate TMO
The Housing Office
Welshpool Street
London E8 4PF
Tel: 020 7923 3774

• Tower TMO
Grange Court
355 Queensbridge Rd
London E8 3JB
Tel: 020 7254 8314

• Wenlock Barn TMO
Wenlock Barn
Shoreditch
London
N17NX
Tel: 0207 253 2371

• Wick Village TMO
Anchor House
25 Meadow Close
Wick Village
London E9 5NZ
Tel: 020 8533 4311

• Wyke Estate TMO
Estate Office
10 Wick Road
London E9 5AZ
Tel: 020 8533 6077
You can also access information through www.hackneyhomes.org.uk

Produced by Hackney Design, Communications & Print • August 2008 • PJ35534