We can help anyone affected by crime in London whether it's present or historic. Our service is free, confidential and available 24/7 for as long as you need. There are a number of ways you can contact us to get support or information.
The London Victim and Witness Service is here to support you if you’ve been affected by crime, regardless of whether you have reported the crime to the police or not.
We understand that everyone’s needs are different, so help and support is designed for you.
We can help:
We know how important it is to have a safe and confidential space to talk openly. So, we have developed a range of options to help you contact us.
If you’re not sure where to go for specific help near you, we have a searchable directory of London Services. This makes it easy to find relevant organisations that you can contact to ask for help – either for yourself or on behalf of someone else.
If you need support, please do get in touch, at any time. You can call our helpline in London on 0808 168 9291 or start a live chat on our website at Londonvws.org.uk
If you’ve been affected by domestic abuse in London and you need confidential support, you can call our 24/7 Supportline line for free on 0808 168 9291.
One of our trained team will answer the phone and ask you a series of questions to understand the type of support you need and if there is any risk to your safety. They’ll offer immediate help and assistance and may refer you to a caseworker based in your area, who will be able to support you further. If you’d benefit from one of our caseworkers, they’ll make contact with you within 24 hours.
Live chat is a free service available for people affected by crime, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. To start a live chat with one of our trained supporters, select the 'Chat now' button.
My Support Space is an online resource designed to help you manage the impact that crime has had on you. It contains guides that are designed to be completed in your own time and at your own pace. You can save your progress and revisit where you left off at any time. You can find information about where and how you can access further support.
The London Victim and Witness Service provides support to help people cope and recover after crime, but it’s important to know that we’re not an emergency service. If you’re in immediate danger, call 999.
It's important to remember that the abuse is not your fault. The perpetrator of the abuse is responsible. However, we can empower you to take back control of your life and look at the best ways to support you to increase your safety and the safety of your children. We are here to listen, we won't judge you or tell you what to do, together we can explore your options and we will support you to make any decisions about the future.
Victim support employs a team of highly trained Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and Independent Victim Advocates (IVAs) who support women and men affected by domestic abuse. Our telephone and face-to-face support is available in a range of languages through language line and interpreters. We also offer support if you are experiencing abuse and also have insecure immigration status or No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).
The IDVA or IVA will conduct a risk assessment with you at the beginning of support to understand the current risks you are facing, which will then inform your individualised safety and support plan.
Our teams will provide information, advocacy and support with a broad range of issues which relate to domestic abuse, such as:
The London Victim and Witness Service will provide a holistic approach to support. This means that the IDVA or IVA will work with you to identify in what way the abuse has impacted your life, and will support you to make positive change. For example:
This isn’t an exhaustive list of support that we provide, and acts more as an example of the wrap-around support that we provide. Please get in touch if you’d like to find out more about how we can help you.
Every survivor is the expert in their relationship - and we do not try to tell our clients otherwise. You will have coping strategies that you have developed during the relationship to minimise the abuse.
However, there may come a time when the only option for yours and your children's safety is to leave. It is essential that you do not tell your abuser of your plans to leave, sometimes abusers will increase their abuse, and even take extreme measures, if they know you are planning to leave.
The UK government's definition of domestic violence is 'any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional.
Domestic abuse can take place anywhere - not just in the home. This can include online abuse or by phone/message. It can have a devastating effect on people's lives - we're here to help you to cope and move on, when you're ready.
Signs of domestic abuse are often overlooked, as abusive behaviour often escalates gradually over time. Abusers may be charming and well-liked by most of the people who know them, but at home things are completely different. If you think your relationship is abusive, you should look at how the behaviour of your partner or family member makes you feel. If you feel intimidated, controlled or unable to speak out, that's abuse.
If you're experiencing domestic abuse in London, get in touch. Call 0808 168 9291 any time or start a live chat.
Our services are free and confidential. If you're experiencing domestic abuse and live outside of London, please contact our free Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111.