Domestic abuse support for Islington residents

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Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence and abuse. It can happen between intimate partners, household members or carers.

See how domestic abuse is defined at the GOV.UK website.

About domestic abuse

Physical violence is just one type of abuse. Domestic abuse can be any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.

Some examples of domestic abuse are:

• psychological abuse, such as preventing contact with family or friends, and threats
• unwanted sexual activity such as rape or being forced to take part in sexual acts
• financial abuse, such as withholding or stealing money from you, or preventing you from working
• emotional abuse, such as humiliating you in front of others, insulting or mocking you, silent treatment, name calling or yelling and swearing
• honour-based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage and forced termination of pregnancy.

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Coercive and controlling behaviour

Coercive control is repeated acts or behaviours which make you feel controlled, scared, humiliated or frightened of the abuser. For example, repeatedly putting you down or keeping you away from your friends and family so you become dependent on the person causing you abuse.

If you are in immediate danger, you should always call the police on 999.

Housing options

If you are an Islington Council tenant

If you are an Islington Council tenant or a member of their household you can contact Housing Tenancy Services. We will offer you support and advice, provide practical help and be sensitive and understanding when we discuss your housing options.

We are White Ribbon accredited, which means we working to end domestic abuse and violence and our staff are trained to deal with sensitive situations. We will talk with you in confidence and discuss what to do next. If you prefer, we can offer you the opportunity to speak to someone of the same gender. Call Housing Tenancy Services on 020 7527 5300 or email us on HomesAndCommunities@islington.gov.uk.

Do not make any immediate decisions such as giving up your tenancy until you have received advice.

Support guide for council tenants

We have created a support guide which helps council tenants experiencing domestic violence and abuse. It is intended to help you stay safe. Staff in Tenancy Services are trained to help people experiencing domestic violence and abuse understand their options and get the help that they need.

Read the support guide

If you are experiencing domestic violence and abuse:

• In an emergency, always call 999.
• Contact Housing Tenancy Services on 020 7527 5300 or email HomesAndCommunities@islington.gov.uk and tell us what has happened.
• Tell your social worker, support worker, GP or any other professional who may be supporting you.

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If you are harming your loved ones

Journey to Change is our service for people who have caused harm to or frightened someone they care about and want support to change.

We offer non-judgemental, one-to-one support to help you build healthy relationships and can also help with housing, employment, mental health and substance misuse. This service has been accredited by Respect, the standard for work with perpetrators of domestic abuse.

You can refer yourself by emailing: JourneyToChange@islington.gov.uk.

Support for other residents

If you are not an Islington Council tenant and are affected by domestic abuse, you can speak to the housing options team about your housing options. Call the team on 020 7527 4140 (open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10am to 4.30pm) or email them on rehousing@islington.gov,.uk.

Making your home safe

Our Home Shelter scheme is for council tenants who have experienced domestic abuse to continue living safely in their own home, by adding additional security measures to your home. For example, we can install fireproof letterboxes, fit a stronger door and window locks. Our Housing Tenancy Services can assist with making a referral to our Home Shelter Scheme.

Contact us

If you’re an Islington Council tenant or a member of their household, please contact your local housing officer for support on 020 7527 5300, 9am to 5pm. We will offer help with domestic abuse and violence, and our staff are skilled to deal with sensitive situations. All conversations are confidential, and you can speak to someone of your own gender.

All the support services listed can offer flexible, remote support on the phone, by text, email or webchat/WhatsApp. Always call 999 in an emergency. If you are unable to talk, press 55. If you don't speak or answer questions, press 55 when prompted and your call will be transferred to the police.

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Other useful links and organisations that can help

• National Domestic Helpline provides confidential support and advice to women experiencing domestic abuse. Call their freephone line, open 24-hours a day on 080 8200 0247.
• GALOP specialises in providing advice and support for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse. Call 080 0999 5428 to speak to someone in confidence.
• Solace provides free and confidential support for women and men in Islington affected by domestic abuse. Call 020 3795 5070 (lines are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) or email advocacy@SolaceWomensAid.org.
• Refuge helps people rebuild their lives and overcome many different forms of violence and abuse. Call 080 8200 0247 (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)
• Men's Advice Line offers non-judgemental emotional support, practical advice and support to men experiencing domestic abuse. Contact their freephone line on 080 8801 0327.
• Samira project provides advice, information and support to women from BAMER (Black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee) backgrounds experiencing domestic abuse. Call their advice line on 020 7354 1359.
• Women's Aid provides life-saving services and build a future where domestic violence is not tolerated. Live chat or email helpline@WomensAid.org.uk.
• Respect works with perpetrators, male victims and young people using violence in their close relationships. Call 080 8802 4040, or for the men's advice line call 0808 801 0327.
• Latin American Women’s Aid (LAWA) is a free support service for Latin American, Black and minority ethnic women and children experiencing, or recovering from, domestic violence. Call 07534 424 826 (Spanish and English, 9.30am to 5.30pm) or 07462 003 324 (Portuguese and English, 9.30am to 1pm).
• Maa Shanti provides services to support women from the South Asian Community who are fleeing domestic violence. Call 07340 990 119 or 07904 034 278 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm), or email SupportWorker@MaaShanti.org
• Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women’s Organisation (KMEWO) works to ensure that the Kurdish and Middle Eastern women in the UK are supported and empowered - provided with advice, advocacy, educational opportunities and training - in the hope of helping them to achieve a better standard of life, free from any violence and with legal freedoms intact. Call 020 7263 1027(office), 07748 851 125 or 07412 364 046 (mobile), or email info@KMEWO.com
• IMECE Women’s Centre stands against all forms of violence against women and girls. They support and empower Turkish, Kurdish and Cypriot Turkish women and Black, Asian, minority ethnic, refugee (BAMER) and migrant women to improve the quality of their lives. Call 020 7354 1359 or email info@IMECE.org.uk
• GOV.UK has translations of Government guidance on how to get help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse on their website. Translations are available in Arabic, Bangla, Chinese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Persian, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu and Welsh.
• Women’s Aid 'The Survivor's Handbook' provides practical support and information for women experiencing domestic abuse, with simple guidance on every aspect of seeking support. 'The Survivor's Handbook' is also available in different languages.
• If it's safe to do so, download the Bright Sky app:
  • Bright Sky on the App Store (apple.com)
  • Bright Sky on Google Play