Pan-London domestic and sexual violence helplines project (360G-LondonCouncils-10)

Refuge is leading the Pan-London domestic and sexual violence helplines project, which is being delivered in partnership with Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, Respect and Women and Girls Network. This project is a partnership between four specialist providers, the pan-London domestic and sexual violence helpline provides access to confidential, non-judgmental support and advice for anyone in London subjected to domestic or sexual violence, current or historic, including referrals to emergency safe accommodation and support for friends, family and professionals. Support includes: emotional support, risk assessment, safety planning, referrals and information on rights and options, including legal rights, housing rights, child contact rights and pathways into other services; also a refuge referral line for women fleeing domestic abuse, run by Refuge as part of the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (NDAH), with enhanced support for women facing particular barriers to accessing refuge, providing critical insight to London Boroughs. Support can also be accessed via digital channels, including online Live Chat, email support and web content – informed by partner expertise around the ways in which perpetrators track victims’ activity online and misuse technology to abuse. To ensure the needs of all Londoners can be met, our helplines include accessible pathways to support: British Sign Language interpretation, Language Line interpreters; Helpline Advisers and volunteers who speak multiple languages; and translated web content. The partnership will raise awareness of its services across the capital, including an online offer for local authorities and targeted communications where there is low borough engagement, facilitated by a project support officer at Refuge. The partnership will bolster London’s specialist VAWG sector by sharing expertise with each other, including mutual training sessions and regular meetings to share best practice, identify emerging needs particular ‘pain points’ for survivors., as well as smooth referral pathways between partner Helplines.