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What to do if you or someone you know needs help?

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Latest Advice: Feb 2010

The new launch of the national Home Office campaign on teenage relationship abuse was launched in February 2010. www.ThisIsAbuse.direct.gov.uk

The site contains the TV advert being used, as well at FAQs and a live debate option. There will also be radio adverts and a poster campaign.

All secondary schools will receive guidance packs and lesson plans for teachers (there will also be a lot of info on teachernet) and teenagers will receive a booklet about relationship abuse. These resources were written by GLDVP, Womankind and Women’s Aid.”

15-17 Referrals Pilot Flyer

Support services to young women in Brent aged

15 – 17 years old experiencing domestic and/or sexual abuse.

Download here

Advice Leaflet

Download our resources leaflet and more information about ADVANCE

Download here

Advice to help you or someone you know

Are you afraid of your partner or another member of your family?

Do you feel isolated? Is your partner controlling, jealous or making it hard for you to

see friends and family?

Do you feel that you are threatened or scared in any way?

On this website we have a list of numbers and websites that you can contact for advice and help. Or you can download our leaflet on ADVANCE services.

You are not on your own and there are a number of agencies available to support you, where you will be listened to and believed. It is important to get help and ensure that you and your family feel safe.

Talk to someone who can help you look at your options and make plans for your safety.

Have you got a friend who can help you to access and store information safely?

Get some help.

Does someone you know need support?

There is no simple way to spot domestic violence as it can occur in any relationship, across all of society. However patterns of abuse can lead to absences from work or school, fear and references to a partners changing behaviour, personality changes – becoming quiet or anxious and unexplained injuries.

You can help, it is not interfering. You can consider the following steps….

•Tell your friend you are concerned for her. Ask her what she needs. Break the silence on the issue.

•Prioritise safety, your friends and your own. Do not make things worse for her or yourself by alerting the abuser to your concerns or desire to help.

•Support your friends decisions and actions but always remind her abuse is always wrong. Be supportive without judging her, she needs to take steps in her own time.

•Keep regular contacts and have an emergency plan in case she fails to make contact with you. Agree a code word in case she needs to alert you that she is in danger.

•Reassure her this is not her fault, be strong for her and remind her how many strengths and qualities she has. Let her know she always has your support.

•Help her to find out about practical help with regard to banking, accommodation, counselling, safety planning etc. You might be the safest contact to gather and store this information where it does not put her at risk.

•Find out about specialist support available for you and your friend, make sure you have support too – you may be her only support.

•Refer to the numbers and contacts throughout this website.