Domestic violence can affect anyone in an intimate relationship, whether it's committed by a man against a woman, a woman against a man, or by a partner in a same sex relationship.
Domestic violence can also occur between family members. One in four women and one in six men will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives regardless of age, sexuality, background or race.
Whatever your personal situation, a range of information, help and support is available in Lewisham.
|
Get support and advice
- In an emergency always ring 999
For emotional and practical support
- Victim Support - 020 8698 4583 (extension 4)
- Women Against Domestic Violence - 020 7252 8518
- Women and Girls Network - 020 7610 4345
|
There is support and advice available to you and your children if you are experiencing any of the following from a partner, ex-partner or family member:
- physical assault - hitting, kicking, biting, pushing, scalding
- sexual abuse - being made to do things you do not want to do
- rape
- verbal abuse - shouting, name calling
- psychological abuse
- mental cruelty
- threats of violence
- humiliation
- disrespect
- destructive criticism
- financial abuse - taking your money, not letting you have access to money
- social isolation - making it hard for you to see friends and family.
We provide advice on dealing with domestic violence on this website. We also have details of a range of other support groups, websites and helplines.
Help from the police
The police in Lewisham have established the Community Support Unit, a specialist unit comprising of trained detectives and police constables all investigating domestic violence, race hate and homophobic crime. They are based at Lewisham Police station.
Help from Lewisham Council
Lewisham Council takes domestic violence extremely seriously. Working together with a range of expert services, both within the Council and specialist services, the Council can provide enhanced housing and social services support for victims experiencing or fleeing domestic violence.
People with children who have become homeless through fleeing domestic violence are offered priority access to emergency and permanent housing.
Social Services work in partnership with parents and will take their feelings and wishes into account. The overriding aim is to keep mother and children together.
Lewisham Domestic Violence Forum
The Lewisham Domestic Violence Forum is maintained by Lewisham Council and provides a forum where all aspects of domestic violence and the response to it are considered.
The forum plays a leading role in bringing the statutory bodies together with voluntary organisations in the domestic violence field, such as Refuge, Victim Support, Women Against Domestic Violence and TRYangle.