Barking and Dagenham Domestic Violence Forum

Practical Help

Long term housing options

 

The Sanctuary Project

If you would like to stay in your property but are concerned that your ex-partner may use keys that he has to gain entry or that he may break in to your property you may wish to talk to an advisor about the possibility of using your local "Sanctuary Project".

The Sanctuary Project is a homeless prevention initiative offered by a number of local authorities (including Barking and Dagenham) which may be able to offer you some or all of the following options to improve your safety and enable you to remain at home:

• A safety planning meeting with a specialist domestic violence advisor who can work with you to assess your needs and help you to decide whether the Sanctuary Project would help you.
• A quick and free change of locks.
• Quick (within hours) free additional home security measures such as window locks, fire-proof letter box, stronger doors.
• Adapting a room in your home so that in the event of your abuser breaking in you (and your children) can lock yourself into this "sanctuary room" and your abuser will not be able to break into the room. You can then use a telephone or emergency alarm system to call the local police for urgent assistance.

This scheme is not means tested and may be offered to you whether you live in local authority, housing association or private (owned or rented) accommodation providing you have the permission of the landlord before making any structural adaptations.

This scheme helps to support women who have experienced domestic violence and wish to remain in their homes but it should not be seen as a guarantee of safety. You need to decide whether you will be safe when you go out of your home as well as whether you will be safe whilst at home.

You can contact the Barking and Dagenham Advocacy Service (telephone: 07971 114232) for information about how to get help from the Sanctuary Project.

 

 

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Contact
London Borough of Barking
and Dagenham Direct

Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.

Tel: 0208 215 3000
Tel: 0208 227 5755
Textphone: 020 8227 5755
Email: The Sanctuary Project 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk

 

 

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and Dagenham

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