Vicky Foxcroft MP for Lewisham Deptford & Shadow Minister for Disabled People
One incredibly concerning side effect of the Government’s order for us to stay at home is that we are seeing an increase in incidences of domestic violence. Our newly-appointed Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds, has written to his Government counterpart, Priti Patel, to call for urgent emergency financial assistance for organisations that run frontline domestic abuse services and the use of hotels and university halls as emergency accommodation.
However, please don’t think this means that victims cannot access help at the moment. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the following services will offer advice and assistance.
National Resources
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge) – www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk Call 0808 200 0247 (24/7 availability)
- National Stalking Helpline (Suzy Lamplugh Trust) – https://www.suzylamplugh.org Call 0808 802 0300
- Men’s Advice Line (confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them) – http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk Call 0808 801 0327
- Respect Helpline (for perpetrators and victims) – https://respectphoneline.org.uk Call 0808 8024040
- Women’s Aid (live chat) – https://chat.womensaid.org.uk
- Hestia (free-to-download mobile app) – https://www.hestia.org/domestic-abuse
- GALOP LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – https://www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/ Call 0800 999 5428
Local Resources
- Athena Lewisham – http://www.refuge.org.uk/our-work/our-services/one-stop-shop-services/athena/ Call 0800 112 4052 or email lewishamvawg@refuge.org.uk
- Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre/Rape Crisis South London – Call 020 8683 3311 or 07818425648 (urgent enquiries) or email info@rasasc.org.uk
- Reproductive & Sexual Health Services – Call 020 3049 3500 or 020 3049 3516