Women's organisations (in London)
Women's organisations (in London)
This section provides information specific to women. It lists general information of services available to women who found themselves faced with violence. It covers areas such as domestic violence, sexual assault, rape and trafficking. Please note that some organisations will only accept referrals from refugee agencies.
There are so many organisations that we can’t list them all. If we’ve left out one that’s important, let us know by emailing us at info@testimonyproject.org and we’ll include it.
This section includes the following categories;
-Domestic violence
-Refuges and domestic violence organisations
-Sexual assault and rape
-Trafficking
Domestic violence
24 Hours National Domestic Violence Helpline
This telephone hotline operates 24-hours a day, 365 days a year to support and provide women with information they need to make informed choices. You can also get information on safe refuges for women and children. Several languages are spoken.
4th Floor, International House, 1 St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1UN
Tel: 08082 000 247 (hotline) or 02073 957 700 (general enquiries)
Email: info@refuge.org.uk
Careline
Careline provides a range of safe, non-judgemental counselling services that help those in acute emotional distress. The helpline specializes in rape, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. There is a messaging service available. The website is now closed but the helpline will continue operation until 30th September.
Tel: 02088 750 500
Email: careline@clara.net
Samaritans
This organisation provides a 24-hour confidential helpline that offers emotional support to those experiencing feelings that may lead to suicide. They provide information on the helpline nearest you, including over ten in London.
Attn: Chris, P.O. Box 90 90, Stirling, FK8 2SA
Tel: 084 5790 9090 (helpline)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Victim Support UK
This independent national charity helps victims of any crime and has branches throughout England and Wales. Through their hotline, they can provide information on police and court procedures as well as links to other helpful organisations. Anyone affected by crime can call, and several languages are spoken. See the website for hotline operation days and times.
National Centre, Hallam House, 56 - 60 Hallam Street, London W1W 6JL (general enquiries)
Hannibal House, Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London SE1 6TB (support line letters)
Tel: 08453 030 900 (support line) or 020 7268 0200 (general enquiries)
Victim Support London
Provides contact details of local Victim Support Scheme for victims of crime. They provide information, support, and advice.
Scotia House, 33 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1PL
Tel: 02079 280 498 Fax: 02072 569 364
Email: info@vslondon.org
Refuges and Domestic Violence Organisations
Advance Advocacy Project
This project provides a 24-hour immediate crisis response to survivors of domestic violence living within the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in London. It offers information, support and advice to survivors of intimate partner violence.
Tel: 02073 851 212 (24h contact via Hammersmith & Fulham Police)
Emails can be sent through the ‘Contact us’ section of the website.
Asha Projects
Has a 24 hour advice line and temporary accommodation for Asian women suffering from domestic violence.
Tel: 02086 960 023 (24h advice line)
Email: amin@asha.org.uk
Ashiana Project
Advice, support and a limited number of bed spaces for young South Asian, Turkish and Iranian women escaping any form or degree of physical, sexual, mental or emotional abuse. It also has an outreach service at a personal and community level as well as a counseling service for young people (13-21) of any ethnicity.
Greater London House, 547-551 High Road, London E11 4PB
Tel: 02085 390 427 Fax: 02085 396 800
Email: info@ashianaproject.org.uk
Broken Rainbow
Referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people experiencing all forms of domestic violence. This includes counselling services and help with housing problems.
Tower Bridge Business Complex, 100 Clements Rd, London SE16 4DG
Tel: 08452 604 460
Email: mail@broken-rainbow.org.uk
Chinese Information and Advice Centre (CIAC)
Provides advice and support if you are of Chinese origin.
4th Floor, 104-108 Oxford Street, London W1D 1LP
Tel: 02074 621 281(Women's Support Project) Fax: 02074 367 108
Email: info@ciac.co.uk
CJS online
Website with information on the criminal justice system, including an interactive 'virtual walkthrough' for victims of crime, to explore what happens when you proceed with a criminal case.
Email: OCJRenquiry@cjs.gsi.gov.uk
Dadihiye Somali Development Organisation
Provides support and advice for Somali women experiencing domestic violence.
1 Nevern Place, Earls Court, London, SW5 9NR
Email: dadihiye@hotmail.com
Eaves Women’s Aid
They run a series of comfortable, safe refuges across London for women leaving situations of domestic violence. If you need help you can be referred to one of their refuges by calling the National Domestic Violence Helpline (0808 2000 247 as above). In 2009 Eaves will launch a new drop-in Advice Centre too.
2nd Floor, Lincoln House,
1-3 Brixton Road,
London, SW9 6DE
Tel: 02077 352 062
Email: post@eaveshousing.co.u
Ebony Sistren
Provides accommodation for single women escaping domestic violence.
Ravenscourt House, 123 Askew Road, London, W12 9AU
Tel: 02087 400 220
Email: admin@ebonysistern.org.uk
Elevate Refuges
Provides refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence in Barnet, Enfield and Haringey.
Tel: 08456 000 331 or 08456 076 595
Aanchal - Asian Women's Domestic Violence project
This organisation offers a 24 hour helpline with advice, counseling and practical help for Asian women suffering from domestic violence and other related issues. There are evening group sessions for young women (8-16), women (25-55) and older (55 over). Languages spoken include Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, and Tamil. Opening hours are Mon-Fri, 9:30am - 2pm.
Bryant Street Community Centre, Bryant Street, London E15 4RU
Tel: 08454 512 547 (24h helpline)
The Kiran Project
Provides safe, temporary accommodation for Asian women and their children escaping domestic violence (space for 7 families). Offers confidential advice for women fleeing various forms of abuse including physical, mental and sexual abuse, or from financial exploitation. There are also English classes for women in housing. Referrals are taken Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 4pm.
Tel: 02085 581 986 Fax: 02085 378 260
Email: kiranawa@btopenworld.com
Latin American Women's Aid
Refuge for Latin American women and their children fleeing domestic violence. Also provides information and advocacy to women who are experiencing domestic violence. It also offers help with housing and all aspects of the welfare system as well as referrals to law practitioners.
Print House, 3rd floor Room 18, Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL
Tel: 02072 750 321
Email: info@lawadv.org.uk
Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network
Project project supports women who have experienced gender-based violence, including torture, rape, FGM, forced marriage, witchcraft abuse and trafficking. Offer 1-1 counselling and advocacy with female staff, as well as a weekly women's support group.
Tel: 020 8964 0323
http://lrmn.org.uk/
Maendeleo House
Advice and refuge referral for Ealing women.
Burlington House 1-3 The Common Ealing W5 3TR
Tel: 07961 340483 (refuge referrals -24h) or 020 8991 1007 Fax: 020 8997 6470
Email: tafia.byfield@hestia.org
The NIA Project
The NIA project aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for women and children, who are escaping physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Housing services, legal advice and family support is available.
Tel: 02076 831 210 (advice line) or 02076 831 270 (office)
Email: info@niaproject.info
Newham Asian Women's Project
This organisation provides emergency housing for women experiencing domestic violence. They also provide mental health services, training, and rights-based information. They accept referrals, including self-referrals.
661 Barking Road, Plaistow, London E13 9EX
Tel: 02084 720 528
Email: info@nawp.org
Respect
UK membership association whose main focus is on increasing the safety of those experiencing domestic violence through promoting effective interventions with perpetrators. There is an advice phoneline.
Tel: 08451 228 609
Southall Black Sisters
This organisation does campaigning against domestic violence and provides assistance for black women suffering from domestic violence.
21 Avenue Road, Southall, Middlesex UB1 3BL
Tel: 02045 719 595 Fax: 02085 746 781
Suzy Lamplugh Trust
This is a charity that provides advice on personal safety.
Email: info@suzylamplugh.org
Turkish Cypriot Women's Project
Provides advice on immigration as well as domestic violence for Turkish Cypriot women. There is also a service for elderly people.
140a Falkland Road, Hornsey, London, N8 0NP
Tel: 02083 403 300
Women's Aid
Women's Aid is an umbrella organisation which refers women affected by domestic violence to local support organisations. Their website has information and contact details of many domestic violence organisations in London, including the many local Women's Aid projects.
Head Office, PO BOX 391, Bristol BS99 7WS
Tel: 01179 444 411 Fax: 01179 241 703
Email: info@womensaid.org.uk
Woman's Trust Counselling and Support Services
Provides independent, confidential, women-only services to those who have been or are affected by domestic violence. See the website for the addresses of the three London offices.
Lighthouse West London, 111-117 Lancaster Road, London W11 1QT
Tel: 02070 340 303/304 Fax: 02070 340 305
Email: admin@wtrust.entadsl.com
Sexual assault and rape
The Haven Project
There are three Haven projects in London based in three different hospitals. They operate a confidential service for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. The clinics provide medical services, counselling and practical advice and support. They help with immediate crisis work, and then provide follow up assistance. If you decide to report the case to the police, they will also provide support during the judicial process. You can approach the Haven clinics to make an appointment and there is no obligation to report the rape or assault to the police. See the website for the addresses and details of the three Haven projects.
Rape Crisis UK and Ireland
This website provides details of your local Rape Crisis Centre, which can offer practical advice and counselling if you are a victim of rape or sexual assault.
c/o WRSAC, PO Box 39, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1XF
Email: info@rapecrisis.org.uk
Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre
Offers support and information to women and girls (+14) who have been raped or sexually abused. Self referrals are accepted.
PO Box 383, Croydon CR9 2AW
Tel: 0808 820 9999 (freephone helpline open 12-2.30 and 7-9.30 every day)
020 8683 3311 (office) 0208 683 3366 (fax)
Email: info@rasasc.org.uk
Respond
Provide services to victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning difficulties.
3rd Floor, 24-32 Stephenson Way, London, NW1 2HD
Tel: 08088 080 700 or 02073 830 700 Fax: 02073 871 222
Email: admin@respond.org.uk
Project Sapphire (Sapphire Units)
This is the specialist unit of the police which deals with rape and sexual assault. There is a unit in each London borough. You can find the numbers on the internet or by contacting their general office.
Territorial Policing Headquarters Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JL
Tel: 02073 217 359/179
Women and Girls Network
They offer a telephone-based counselling service for women and girls who have experienced sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse.
Tel: 02076 104 345 (helpline) or 020 7610 4678 (office)
Email: info@wgn.org.uk
Trafficking
Kalayaan
Provides advice, support and information if you’re a domestic worker in the UK. Also, provides assistance with finding new employers and accommodation. They also run English classes and a social centre.
St Francis Centre, 13 Hippodrome Place, London, W11 4SF
Tel: 02072 432 942 Fax: 02077 923 060
The Poppy Project
Provides housing and support to up to 25 adult female victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation, providing they fulfil the Home Office criteria. This criteria includes: that the woman was brought to the UK; that she has been working as a prostitute in the last 30 days (in the UK); that she has been forcibly exploited; that she has come forward to the authorities and that she is willing to co-operate with the authorities.
Eaves Housing, 2nd Floor Lincoln House, 1-3 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DE
Tel: 02078 407 129