COVID-19 Domestic Violence & Abuse Resources

If you are in danger call 999

If not, contact the Athena service

If you are worried or need support regarding domestic abuse that you or others may be experiencing, please contact one of the following local or national resources for advice and support when it is safe to do so:-

• Lewisham Violence Against Women & Girls Services
  

  Athena

  Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

  To contact the Athena directly: 08001124052

  www.refuge.org.uk/our-work/our-services/one-stop-shop-services/athena

  www.refuge.org.uk

  Early Years Alliance - Lewisham Children's and Family Centres

  www.lewishamcfc.org.uk

  The Deaf Health Charity – Sign Health

  www.signhealth.org.uk/our-projects/deafhope-projects/

  Text: 07970350366

  RASASC (Rape and sexual abuse centre)

  0808 802 9999

  African Advocacy Foundation

  www.africadvocacy.org

  020 8698 4473

  Rights of women

  www.rightsofwomen.org.uk

  National stalking helpline – Suzy Lamplugh Trust

  www.suzylamplugh.org

  0808 802 0300

  Respect Helpline for men

  0808 8010327

  www.respectphoneline.org.uk/help-for-domestic-abuse-victims   

  Women's Aid live chat

  This is an online chatting service which is ideal for victims who are self-isolating and do not want to be heard.

  www.chat.womensaid.org.uk  

  www.womensaid.org.uk

  0117 944 44 11

  NSPCC Helpline - 0800 028 3550 or fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk 

  GALOP National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline

  0800 999 5428

  www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse

  Women and Girls Network

  Sexual violence helpline - 08088010770

  Free advice line - 08088010660 

  If any other interventions are required please contact; charlene.noel@lewisham.gov.uk  or isis.pottinger@lewisham.gov.uk

  For MARAC enquires please contact Theresa.Stone@lewisham.gov.uk
  
  

• GOV.UK - "At Home Shouldn't Mean At Risk" #youarenotalone domestic abuse campaign launch.  Services are available.

• GOV.UK - Domestic Abuse - How to Get Help

• Home Office – Support for Victims of Domestic Abuse
• The Human Trafficking Foundation Covid-19 Resources Page is regularly updated with resources, advice and policy information affecting those working with victims of trafficking and exploitation. Please see webpage
• Children's Commissioner - Children, Domestic Abuse & Corona Virus
• Refuge have released a series of safety tips for survivors during isolation. Their tech abuse chatbot function is particularly useful should the perpetrator be controlling the survivor’s devices. Telephone: 0808 2000 247
• Women’s Aid have released a series of safety advice for survivors who may be trapped in the house with perpetrators
• SafeLives have produced advice for practitioners and survivors of domestic abuse
• Surviving Economic Abuse webpage for survivors, friends, family, neighbours and practitioners regarding the impact of COVID – 19 on those experiencing economic and financial abuse is available HERE
• Rights of Women has published guidance for women trying to work out child contact arrangements during this difficult time. You can find the guidance here: https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-information/family-law/coronavirus-and-child-contact-arrangements/. Rights of Women continue to provide legal advice to women affected by gender based violence, the opening hours of their advice lines are subject to change – dull information can be found HERE.
• Criminal Justice – victims and witnessesIf your staff are unsure of where to signpost victims and witnesses, please remind them of the London Victim and Witness Service (LVWS) provided by a partnership led by Victim Support. The LVWS can be contacted on 0808 168 9291 from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturday. Outside of those hours, you can call Victim Support’s Supportline on freephone 08 08 16 89 111.
• London’s Rough Sleepers to be offered hotel beds to self-isolate.  See press release for further information
• National Rape Crisis Helpline and Live Chat.  The National Rape Crisis Helpline will remain open on 0808 802 9999. Free, independent and confidential support is available every day between 12.00pm - 2.30pm and 7.00pm - 9.30pm
• Samaritans are a registered charity focusing on suicide prevention, there to listen without judgement, no pressure, and help you work through what's on your mind. Call for free on 116 123, or alternatively on 0330 094 5717. Email: jo@samaritans.org
• Shout is a 24 hour, 7 days a week text messaging service support in a crisis. The team of trained Crisis Volunteers will help take you from a crisis to calm 24/7, whenever you need them. Text Shout to 85258, info@giveusashout.org,
• Good Thinking website for adults looking for resources to support their mental health and wellbeing: