Domestic Violence
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If you are suffering domestic violence there are many people you can go to for advice or help. You can contact a housing officer at your local Neighbourhood Housing Office. You can also phone the Domestic Violence and Hate Crime Team on 0800 056 0905 (freephone).
What is domestic violence?
What we offer?
Our service
Hackney Safe Homes Scheme
Tips for leaving home
Useful contact numbers
What we offer?
Our service
Hackney Safe Homes Scheme
Tips for leaving home
Useful contact numbers
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, ex-husbands/partners or other family members.
However, victims are not always women; many men also suffer violence from their partners or other people. The intention of the perpetrator is to exert and maintain power and control. 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 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 to 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
There is no excuse for domestic violence. Many types of domestic violence constitute a criminal offence and the perpetrator can be arrested, charged and imprisoned.
- We 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.
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If any tenant or leaseholder is experiencing domestic violence, we will arrange an interview within three (3) working days or within twenty-four (24) hours for emergency cases. To arrange an interview you should contact us:
Hackney Domestic Violence and Hate Crime Team
Phone: 0800 056 0905 Monday to Friday 9.30am – 5.00pm
Email: DVHCT@hackney.gov.uk
Phone: 0800 056 0905 Monday to Friday 9.30am – 5.00pm
Email: DVHCT@hackney.gov.uk
We will also:
- Treat all reports of domestic violence we receive seriously
- Not blame or question a person’s view of what has happened, even if they decide to remain with or return to a violent partner
- Arrange for emergency accommodation for a tenant and their household who are assessed as being in immediate danger if this will reduce the risk
- Make sure that housing officers are sensitive to the needs of those experiencing domestic violence
- Where possible, arrange for the person reporting domestic violence to speak to an officer of the same sex
- Provide an interpreter or signer, if required
- Enable and empower victims of domestic violence to make informed choices by offering advocacy services, information and support
- Liaise, on your behalf, with external agencies such as the police and victim support groups. We will only do this with your agreement or if we are required to do so by law
- Discuss all of the options available to you in regard to rehousing, welfare benefits and advise you where you can get legal assistance
We will achieve this by…
- Making sure that all housing staff are aware of the importance of confidentiality and the implications this may have for a person’s safety
- Where possible, taking enforcement action against tenants who carry out domestic violence. This may include losing their tenancy or lease
- Developing arrangements with other local authorities and housing providers to increase the re-housing options available for victims of domestic violence
- Displaying, in all our receptions, information such as posters and leaflets, which can help you in your situation. Leaflets are available in different languages and in larger print or Braille.
- Training all staff on our Domestic Violence policies and procedures
- Training all housing staff to be sensitive to the specific needs of those who are disadvantaged in accessing services: black and minority ethnic communities, women, young people, disabled people, lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender people and older people.
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The Hackney Safe Homes Scheme is a victim-centred initiative which aims to provide additional security measures to the homes of domestic violence survivors. The scheme aims to make it possible for victims to remain safe in their home and feel safe.
The Hackney Safe Homes Scheme is not limited to Hackney Homes or Housing Association tenants and includes anyone who is threatened with homelessness due to domestic violence.
For more information contact:
The Hackney Safe Homes Officer
Phone: 020 8356 5740
Phone: 020 8356 5740
The Domestic Violence and Hate Crime Team
Phone: 0800 056 0905
Phone: 0800 056 0905
NIA Project (Formerly known as Hackney Women’s Aid)
Phone: 020 7683 1270
Phone: 020 7683 1270
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 permanently. If you think you might need to do this you can plan by doing the following:
- 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.
- Keep a note of emergency phone numbers and numbers for your friends and family with you at all times.
- Think of a safe place to use a phone.
- Keep aside some money for transport.
- Consider talking to your children about your plans if you think they can cope with this.
If you are prepared in this way you will feel more in control and confident. If you have more time to plan leaving do some or all of the following:
- Leave when your abuser is not around.
- Take your identification, legal and financial papers, Birth and Marriage certificates, Court Orders, Passports, Driving Licence, bank books, credit/debit cards, payment cards for any benefits you are entitled to.
- Take clothing for at least a couple of days and favourite toys for your children.
- Take any medicines that you or your children might need.
If you do leave and later find you have forgotten something, don’t worry. If necessary, you can arrange for the Police to be at your home when you return to collect necessary items.
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Hackney Domestic Violence and Hate Crime Team
Phone: 0800 056 0905 Monday to Friday 9.30am – 5.00pm
Email: dvrhadvice@hackney.gov.uk
Phone: 0800 056 0905 Monday to Friday 9.30am – 5.00pm
Email: dvrhadvice@hackney.gov.uk
National Domestic Violence Helpline – 24 hours
Phone: 0808 2000 247
Phone: 0808 2000 247
Hackney Police Community Safety Unit
Phone: 020 7275 3087
Phone: 020 7275 3087
In an emergency phone 999
Broken Rainbow Forum – The pan-London Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence Forum
Phone: 08452 60 4460
Additional Line: 0300 999 5428
Phone: 08452 60 4460
Additional Line: 0300 999 5428
Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls.
NIA Project (Formerly known as Hackney Women’s Aid)
Advice Line: 020 7683 1210
Emergency Line: 0808 2000 247
Advice Line: 020 7683 1210
Emergency Line: 0808 2000 247
Shelterline Emergency Housing Support Service – 24 hours
Phone: 0808 800 4444
Phone: 0808 800 4444
Hackney and City Victim Support
Phone: 020 8533 5332
Phone: 020 8533 5332
Childline – 24 hour help for children and young people
Phone: 0800 1111
Phone: 0800 1111
Mens Advice Line
Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
Contact your local Tenant Management Organisation
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