Emergencies
If you’re in immediate danger, always call the police on 999. For non-emergency police enquiries call 101.
If you need to speak to someone outside of office hours, the National Domestic Violence Helpline is always open and free to call. Call 0808 2000 247.
If you’re worried someone might see you have visited this page, the Women’s Aid website tells you how to view it anonymously and delete your internet history.
White Ribbon Accreditation
We recently gained White Ribbon Accreditation. The accreditation ensures organisations take a strategic approach to ending male violence against women by engaging with men and boys, changing cultures and raising awareness.
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This page is for anybody that wants to learn about domestic abuse support. You might be worried about yourself or someone else.
Who we help
We work with anyone experiencing domestic abuse:
- living in Hackney
- aged 16 or over
- male or female
- of any sex and/or gender
- of any sexual orientation
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What is domestic abuse
Behaviour of a person towards another person is “domestic abuse” if:
- the people concerned are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other (partner, ex-partner, family member), and
- the behaviour is abusive
Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists of any of the following:
- physical or sexual abuse
- violent or threatening behaviour
- controlling or coercive behaviour
- economic abuse
- psychological, emotional or other abuse
It does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.
Domestic abuse is a crime. Domestic abuse comes in many forms.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 covers different types of abusive behaviour such as:
Physical abuse can be violent such as hitting, punching, shoving, biting and kicking. Or, it can be the threat of physical violence. It also includes throwing things at you or pushing you.
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Any sexual activity that happens without your full and informed consent. Sex should not make you feel uncomfortable or degraded.
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Coercive control is when someone you are close to repeatedly behaves in a way that makes you feel controlled, dependent, isolated or scared.
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Financial abuse is when you don’t have full control of your own money. Someone may have put you in debt, always check your bank account or make you pay their living expenses.
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Psychological abuse is causing fear by intimidation, name calling, swearing or yelling, blaming and guilt tripping.
Gaslighting is also a form of emotional abuse. It involves manipulating you to make you doubt your own sanity.
Gaslighting makes you question your perceptions, memory and judgement.
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Take a look at the questions below and see if you can relate to any of them.
- do you change your behaviour because you’re frightened of your partner’s reaction?
- do you feel that you’re walking on eggshells?
- do you feel controlled, or isolated?
- does someone limit your control over your own money?
- do they play mind games and make you doubt your judgment?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then there is help available for you.
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What we do about domestic abuse
We are here to support you. Domestic abuse is never your fault.
If you contact us we will:
- listen to you
- assess your safety
- help you with your legal and housing rights
- help you if you go to court
- help you to get legal protection
- work with you and other professionals to help make you safer
Making you safer might involve:
- helping you separate from the person who is hurting you
- involving extra services to help you with your needs
- trying to reduce your risks if you want to remain with the person who is hurting you
If you need emergency housing you should speak with Housing Options and Advice.
We can engage with the person who is hurting you to try and reduce the abuse. This will only happen if it is safe. We will work with you and won’t force you to do anything you’re not ready to do.
We usually see people in central Hackney. If you prefer we can arrange to see you somewhere else that is safe, accessible and comfortable for you.
For example, a housing neighbourhood office, doctor’s surgery or at your home. We can also visit you with a professional you already know such as your social worker or health visitor.
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You could make a big difference to someone living in an abusive situation by contacting us. We can help make them safe.
We can keep your identity secret if you don’t want the person being hurt to know that you contacted us.
If you contact us we can:
- contact the person you’re worried is being hurt
- assess their safety
- help protect them from harm
- help them with legal and housing rights
- help them if they go to court
- help them to get legal protection
- work with them and other professionals to help make them safe
Making them safer might involve:
- helping them separate from the person who is hurting them
- involving extra services to help them with their needs
- trying to reduce their risks if they want to remain with the person who is hurting them
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We can support you to change your behaviour if you’re worried that your behaviour is hurting others.
We offer:
- a 26 week group domestic abuse perpetrator programme (DAPP) for people in heterosexual relationships
- one to one help for people in LGBT relationships
- one to one help for people using violence towards towards a family member
- one to one help for women using violence
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The domestic violence disclosure scheme (DVDS) is often called ‘Clare’s Law’ after the landmark case that led to it.
It gives you the right to ask the police:
- if your partner has a history of domestic abuse
- if a close friend’s partner or family member’s partner has a history of domestic abuse
You can submit a request for this information via the Metropolitan Police website, or by calling 101.
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Confidentiality
- any information you share with us is confidential
- we only share information with organisations if you give us permission
- we only share information without your permission if you or someone else are at risk of serious harm
- we never share anything you tell us with the person that is hurting you
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You can contact us. Or, you can ask someone else to contact us. For example, your doctor, housing officer or social worker.
- we’re open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
- our telephone numbers are 020 8356 4458, 020 8356 4459 or 0800 056 0905 (free from a landline)
- our email is dais@hackney.gov.uk
If you are in immediate danger, always call the police on 999.
If you want to speak to someone outside office hours:
- call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247. It is free to call and always open. They can help you find a women’s refuge.
- call us on 020 8356 2300. We can help you with emergency housing
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You can contact us. Or, you can ask someone else to contact us. For example, your doctor, housing officer or social worker.
- we’re open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
- our telephone numbers are 020 8356 4458, 020 8356 4459 or 0800 056 0905 (free from a landline)
- our email is dais@hackney.gov.uk
If the person is in immediate danger, always call the police on 999.
If you want to speak to someone outside office hours:
- call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247. It is free to call and always open. They can help you find a women’s refuge.
- call us on 020 8356 2300. We can help you with emergency housing
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You can contact us. Or, you can ask someone else to contact us. For example, your doctor, housing officer or social worker.
- we’re open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
- our telephone numbers are 020 8356 4458, 020 8356 4459 or 0800 056 0905 (free from a landline)
- our email is dais@hackney.gov.uk
If you are in immediate danger, always call the police on 999.
If you want to speak to someone outside office hours:
- call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247. It is free to call and always open. They can help you find a women’s refuge.
- call us on 020 8356 2300. We can help you with emergency housing
If you would like to speak to someone confidentially for advice then please call Respect on 0808 802 4040. It’s free to call.
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The domestic violence disclosure scheme (DVDS) is often called ‘Clare’s Law’ after the landmark case that led to it.
It gives you the right to ask the police:
- if your partner has a history of domestic abuse
- if a close friend’s partner or family member’s partner has a history of domestic abuse
You can submit a request for this information via the Metropolitan Police website, or by calling 101.
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Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s law)
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) is also known as ‘Clare’s law’. This is because of the landmark case that led to it.
Clare’s law gives any member of the public the right to ask the police if their partner may pose a risk to them.
A member of the public can also make enquiries into the partner of a close friend or family member.
Clare’s law has two functions:
- right to ask – this enables someone to ask the police about a partner’s previous history of domestic violence or violent acts
- right to know – police can proactively disclose information in certain circumstances
You can apply for Clare’s law by:
- attending your local police station – a police officer will take the details of what prompted the enquiry and talk through the next steps
- online via the Metropolitan Police website
The police will invite you to a meeting. At this stage, you will need identification.
The police will not make the disclosure in writing and documents are not provided.
Other organisations that can help
Women’s Aid created a directory that contains up to date information about local domestic abuse support services. It is regularly updated by the services listed so you’ll be able to find the right local support, when you need it most.
We do not commission the services (apart from Nia’s IRIS service) and do not have responsibility for the quality of services.
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Tools for understanding domestic abuse
Domestic abuse can be difficult to understand.
The following tools may be useful in helping you understand your situation and making decisions about whether you want to get help. They’re also useful for professionals working with clients in helping to explore domestic abuse.
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Information for professionals
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You can contact us if you need advice about whether to make a referral. You don’t have to give your client’s identifying details.
- we’re open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
- our telephone numbers are 020 8356 4458, 020 8356 4459 or 0800 056 0905 (free from a landline)
- our email is dais@hackney.gov.uk
Use the referral form if you need to make a referral:
Email your referral to dais@hackney.gov.uk or dais@hackney.gov.uk.cjsm.net.
It’s helpful if you can also complete a domestic abuse risk assessment form based on your work with the victim. This is not essential.
If you’ve conducted a domestic abuse risk assessment and the risks are high the case needs to be referred to the Hackney multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC).
For a guide to how the service operates see Domestic Abuse Intervention Service Protocol (google doc).
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The Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) is a meeting for representatives to discuss high-risk cases of domestic abuse. The focus of a MARAC is to safeguard the victims.
During Hackney MARACs we:
- share information to increase the safety, health and wellbeing of victims
- take actions to reduce the risk of harm
- review cases to explore all possible strategies for improving the victim’s safety
- work in a coordinated way to put in place strategies for improving victim’s safety
- impose sanctions to deter repeat offending
make sure representatives carry out actions on time
- identify and raise issues of policy, practice, or partnership arising from casework
- provide clear professional advice from involved agencies
- contribute to the development of best practices around safety, planning and prevention
The meeting might be attended by:
- the local police
- probation services
- health services
- children’s social care
- adult social care
- housing
- other specialists
Professionals working directly with the victim will always be present at a MARAC to:
make sure the MARAC hears the victim’s views
share their professional assessment of risk
The MARAC protocol outlines each attendees accountability and responsibility:
The MARAC referral form:
Email your form to marac@hackney.gov.uk or marac@hackney.gov.uk.cjsm.net.
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What is intergenerational domestic abuse?
Abusive behaviour from one adult (or person aged 16+) family member to another family member is domestic abuse.
Indicators
Many of the indicators of intergenerational domestic abuse are very similar to domestic abuse perpetrated by (ex)partners. They can include, but are limited to:
- chronic unexplained injuries, bruises or cuts
- symptoms of depression, anxiety or PTSD
- anxiousness or fear of a person or persons
- non-engagement with services
- lack of support network or isolation from
- friends and family
- not being able to leave the house
- lack of access to their own money
- staff observing the person being dominated, harassed or controlled by their family member
Support
The Council takes the issue of intergenerational domestic abuse seriously. The following can help assist professionals identify and respond to intergenerational domestic abuse cases:
To talk to someone about intergenerational / intra-familial abuse or to request support for yourself or a loved one see how to contact us.
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Unfortunately, domestic abuse can result in the death of victims. We complete a Domestic Homicide Review when someone dies as a result of domestic abuse by:
- a member of the same household
- a relative
- someone they had been in an intimate relationship with
The victim must be 16 years old, or over.
Domestic homicide reviews can also be completed when the death appears to have been caused by domestic abuse.
Domestic homicide reviews help professionals:
- learn lessons
- change practice to reduce risk to victims
- improve the way agencies work
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The Council has published four reviews:
Kirsty Treloar
Mrs AB and Child D
Jane
Marie
Eliminating violence against women and girls (VAWG) Hackney Strategy 2022 to 2025
See end violence against women and girls.
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Page updated on: 28 March 2023