Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Domestic Abuse

Get help and support

What to do in an emergency

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, always call the police on 999.

If you dial 999 but can't speak, press 55 when asked. The call will be put through to the police. They will assist you without you having to speak.

For non-emergencies, call 101.

How to get help and support

Several local and national organisations can offer information and support if you, or someone you know, have been affected by a form of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). You can contact them if you would like either one off help or longer-term support.

A number of these agencies are listed below. These have been split by the specialist support they offer. There will be overlap in the criteria and services of these organisations, as several of them offer support for multiple types of VAWG. There are also overlaps in the demographics and needs of who they can support, but we have done our best to categorise these.

Please note: the terminology used to describe each agency’s remit is taken from their websites; it is not chosen by the London Borough of Harrow.

Choose the support service or organisation that you would prefer. They will be able to help you or direct you to another organisation if needed.

Domestic abuse & harmful practices

  • Cranstoun Harrow Domestic Abuse Support Service (DASS): 0208 129 5438 
    For anyone living in Harrow who is experiencing domestic abuse (female and male) and their children. The service provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support and practical advice on matters such as housing, welfare benefits, legal options, health, education, training and childcare. To contact Harrow DASS call 0208 129 5438 or email harrowdass@cranstoun.org.uk
  • National Domestic Abuse helpline (24 hours): 0808 2000 247
    For victims and survivors of domestic abuse, for confidential, non-judgemental support and information on options available.
  • Women’s Aid Domestic Abuse Live Chat
    If it’s unsafe or you’re unable to speak on the phone.
  • Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
    For male victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
  • Women and Girls Network Helpline: 0808 801 0660
    Immediate, free and confidential information, advice, advocacy and support for women and girls (14 years+) affected by any form of gendered violence and abuse.
  • Victim Support’s London Victim & Witness Service: 0808 168 9291
    For male and female victims/survivors of crime and their children.
  • Forced Marriage Unit: 0207 008 0151
    Contact the Forced Marriage Unit if you’re trying to stop a forced marriage, or you need help leaving a marriage you have been forced into.
  • FORWARD: 0208 960 4000
    Advice, one-to-one support and signposting to other services for women and girls affected by any form of violence, including harmful practices and Female Genital Mutilation.
  • Karma Nirvana’s ‘Honour’-Based Abuse Helpline: 0800 5999 247
    For victims of so-called ‘honour’-based abuse.
  • Rights of Women
    Free, confidential legal advice and information to women, with a specific focus on VAWG. They run advice lines for the following: family law, criminal law, immigration and asylum law, and sexual harassment at work.
  • Woman’s Trust: 0207 034 0303
    Free counselling and therapy for women who have experienced domestic abuse

Ethnicity & culture specific

  • AWRC: 0208 961 6549
    For women affected by domestic or sexual abuse, specifically: Female Genital Mutilation, so-called ‘honour’-based abuse, forced marriage and other harmful practices, and those with no recourse to public funds.
  • EACH Counselling: 0208 577 6059
    For black and minority ethnic women and young girls, for support with domestic abuse, sexual violence, and housing-related issues including tenancy, debt, financial issues, benefit claims, and more.
  • Iranian & Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation: 0207 920 6460
    For Middle Eastern, North African and Afghan women and girls in the UK at risk of domestic abuse and harmful practices
  • The Irish Traveller Project (Solace Women’s Aid): 0808 802 5565
    For Irish and Irish Traveller women (including women of Irish descent) and their children across all London boroughs
  • Latin American Women’s Right’s Service: 0808 145 4909
    For all Latin American women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse/violence, sexual violence, harmful practices, stalking and harassment or any other form of gender-based violence.
  • Middle Eastern Women & Society Organisation (MEWSo): 07780 983152
    For Middle Eastern, North African and Asian women in London, providing services and support on domestic abuse, welfare, LGBT+, befriending, English conversation classes and more.
  • PLIAS P&ACT Project: 0208 838 6800
    For African, Caribbean, and other marginalised women and girls experiencing violence and harmful practices.
  • Romanian and Eastern European Hub: 0203 833 1190
    For the Romanian and Eastern European Communities, and offers free, tailored support to those needing help due to language, digital, and cultural barriers.
  • The Sharan Project: 0844 504 3231
    For South Asian women affected by domestic abuse or harmful practices (‘honour’-based abuse, forced marriage, dowry conflict).

Religion & culture specific

  • Jewish Women’s Aid: 0808 801 0500
    For Jewish women and children affected by domestic and sexual violence.
  • Muslim Women’s Network Helpline: 0800 999 5786
    Specialist faith and culturally sensitive helpline that is confidential and non-judgmental, which offers information, support, guidance and referrals, for those who are suffering from or at risk of abuse.

LGBTQ+ specific

  • GALOP’s LGBT+ Helpline: 0800 999 5428 (National) or 020 7704 2040 (London)
    For LGBT+ people experiencing abuse or violence, such as hate crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence, so-called “conversion therapy” or any other kind of abuse.

Age specific

  • Hourglass Helpline (24 hours): 0808 808 8141
    Provide information and support to any older person or anyone concerned about an older person who is at risk of, experiencing or recovering from any form of abuse or neglect.
  • EACH Counselling: 0208 577 6059
    Free counselling for girls and boys aged 11-18 years old, who have been exposed to environments where domestic abuse is or has been present.
  • The Wish Centre: 0203 137 9044
    Any child or young person aged 10-25, living or going to school in Harrow, who have been through, or are currently at risk of self-harm, suicidal ideation, sexual exploitation, domestic or sexual abuse, neglect.
  • Ignite Youth: 0208 863 2089
    For young people aged 11-25, to help them re-engage with education, find employment or move away from anti-social behaviour, gang involvement and exploitative relationships.
  • Childline (24 hours): 0800 1111
    A free, private and confidential service for children to talk about anything online or on the phone, anytime.
  • NSPCC Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Helpline: 0800 028 3550
    A helpline offering advice, information and support to anyone concerned that a child’s welfare is at risk due to FGM.

Disability specific

  • British Sign Language (BSL) Domestic Abuse Helpline
    Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm, for those that communicate using British Sign Language.
  • SignHealth: 07800 003421
    Provides advice and support for Deaf adults and young people experiencing domestic abuse.
  • Respond: 0207 383 0700
    Provides support to adults and children/young people with learning disabilities, autism or both who have experienced abuse, violence or trauma.
  • Stay Safe East: 07865 340122
    For disabled survivors of sexual and domestic abuse and other forms of VAWG (including ‘carer’ abuse), hate crime, institutional abuse, and supporting disabled victims of other crimes. Providing advocacy, long-term support, peer support, help access to safety, housing, benefits, social care, mental health and more to survivors in London. To contact Stay Safe East, you can also email: referrals@staysafe-east.org.uk

For those worried about their own behaviour

  • RISE Mutual: 07495 099694
    Domestic abuse perpetrator programmes.
  • RESPECT Helpline: 0808 802 4040
    For men and women who are using abuse, in same-sex or heterosexual relationships, as well as for the people supporting them.
  • Stop It Now (Lucy Faithfull Foundation): 0808 1000 900
    For anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse and its prevention, including for people worried about their own sexual thoughts about children and young people.

Sex work, prostitution & trafficking

  • Nia Project: 07880 230 516
    Confidential, non-judgemental support for women involved in prostitution or sex work.
  • National Ugly Mugs (NUM): 0800 464 7669
    Working to end all forms of violence against sex workers, NUM is for sex workers of all genders, ages, cultures and modes of work who have been victims of crime, providing emotional and practical support.
  • The Salvation Army’s Modern Slavery Helpline: 0800 808 3733
    For all adult survivors of modern slavery in England and Wales, or for anyone who suspects they (or someone they have come across) might be a victim of modern slavery in need of help. They offer support from within a safehouse or through outreach, including legal advice, healthcare, counselling, financial support, support in obtaining employment and housing, and more.

Sexual violence & rape

  • Rape Crisis’ Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line (24 hours): 0808 500 2222
    For anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales who has been affected by rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or any other form of sexual violence.
  • West London Rape Crisis Centre
    For women and girls who have experienced any sexual violence, whether it is recent or historic. This includes rape, childhood sexual abuse, trafficking, sexual exploitation, prostitution, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual bullying, and gang-related sexual violence.
  • Women and Girls Network’s Sexual Violence Helpline: 0808 801 0770
    Free and confidential emotional support for anyone in London, who self identifies as a woman (aged 14+), and who has been affected by sexual violence at any time.
  • The Havens, Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC): 0203 299 6900
    Specialist centre in London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
  • Survivors UK: 0203 598 3898
    For men, boys or non-binary people affected by sexual violence, providing counselling, practical help and community.

Stalking & harassment