Staying with family or friends - Specialist refuges - Going into a refuge - Leaving home - Practical Help - Domestic Violence Forum - The London borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Practical Help

Leaving home

Staying with family or friends

Many women go and stay with family or friends when they feel unsafe at home. Whether or not this is a realistic option for you will depend on a number of factors including whether you know anyone who is willing and able to have you to stay.

Most people are unlikely to know people who have the room to put them up for long periods of time and you may also be concerned about "outstaying your welcome". The advantage of staying with friends and family is that it is a familiar place for you and your children and you may get support.

This will obviously depend on how understanding and supportive your family/friends are and on what, if anything, you have told them about what is going on.

One of the potential disadvantages involved in staying with friends or family is that your (ex) partner may find you more easily and may harm you, threaten you, bully you or try to persuade you to return to him. Some women also worry about the possibility of their (ex) partner hurting the people they are staying with or "sweet talking" them into feeling sorry for him and pressurising her to return home.

If you decide that you would prefer to stay with people you know you can still get support and advice from specialist domestic violence agencies such as refuges. Most refuges now run services for women experiencing domestic violence who live in the local area but do not wish to stay in a refuge. These workers are usually called "outreach" or "floating support" workers. Please see the section below for further information about the type of help they can offer.

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Contact
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Direct

Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm

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

Barking and Dagenham Domestic Violence Forum