Dealing with domestic violence

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is defined as threatening behaviour, violence, sexual assault, withholding finances or emotional abuse. This may happen between two people in a sexual relationship, ex partners or family members.

Domestic violence is rarely a one-off event. It tends to increase in frequency and severity over time.

Is this happening to you?

If it is, remember - don't blame yourself, you can't change the abuser's behaviour. There are agencies you can talk to about your situation and who can help you look at your choices and options.

How can we support you?

We have specialist officers who can help you without blame, pressure or judgement.

You can be assured that you will always be treated with respect and that all information you share will be handled in the strictest confidence. On some occasions to ensure your protection we may need to share your information with other agencies but we will always inform you.

Brent Housing Partnership will appoint an officer who will see your case through to conclusion. We will ensure that you receive accurate information and advice, so that you are able to make the right choice for you and your family when you feel the time is right.

The Housing Resource Centre will look into your report of domestic abuse and if you meet the criteria, we can provide temporary accommodation such as a
hostel, B&B, or a women's refuge.

We can also advise you on a wide range of available welfare benefits to which you may be entitled. In addition there are housing and tenancy options which can be explored. For example, transferring the tenancy into your name (with the aid of the courts), where possible.

We also have a network of good working relationships with other professional agencies such as Brent Women's Aid and Brent Domestic Violence Advocacy
Project who can give you and your children advice and support.

Brent has one of the highest rates of recorded domestic violence in London.

Brent Housing Partnership and Brent Council are aware of this and are working in partnership with many statutory and voluntary organisations to reduce
this figure, provide help, support, guidance and advice.

We have signed up to the West London Domestic Violence Protocol, which offers us an additional option for assisting with re-housing of Domestic violence survivors.

Contact details

If you require assistance from Brent Housing Partnership please call

Tenancy Services:

• telephone: 020 8937 2424
• email: tenancy@bhphousing.co.uk
  

If you require assistance from Brent Council's Housing and Community Care Services please call

Brent Council's Housing Advice Service:

• telephone: 020 8937 2000
• housingadvice@brent.gov.uk

Useful Contacts:

These agencies are also able to provide assistance and support for survivors of
domestic violence.

• Police (24 hour) emergency
  telephone: 999

• National Domestic Violence Helpline
  telephone: 0808 200 0247 (24hrs)
  

• Action on Elder Abuse
  telephone:0808 8088 141

• Childline
  telephone:0800 1111
  

• Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre
  telephone:020 8683 3300

• Brent Metropolitan Police Community Safety Unit
  telephone:020 8733 3742

• Victim Support
  telephone:020 8965 1141
  

• Asian Women's Resource Centre
  telephone:020 8961 6549

• Brent Women's Aid
  telephone:020 8451 6047
  

• Brent Council One Stop Shop
  telephone:020 8937 1200
  

• Brent Samaritans
  telephone:020 8961 6181
  

• Brent Irish Advisory Service
  telephone:020 8459 6655

• African Women's Care
  telephone:020 8459 9006

• ASRA Asian Women's Refuge Services - Floating support
  telephone:07800 708 834

Download

You can download this domestic violence leaflet and our domestic violence policy in portable document format (pdf).

• Domestic violence leaflet (.pdf, 944Kb)  
• BHP domestic violence policy (.pdf, 56Kb)

You may need Adobe Reader software to view these pdf files, which is available as a free download from the Adobe website.