Council targets domestic violence
Havering Council is helping to promote awareness of the support available for local people affected by domestic violence.
The Council’s community safety teams are again backing the annual International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG),
Also known as White Ribbon Day (25 November 2022), this marks the start of the 16 Days of Action campaign.
It includes work towards the prevention of all gender-based violence (running until 10 December 2022).
The Council will be sharing information of where residents can get immediate help if their lives are in danger and report concerns confidentially in the borough.
There is help and support via the Council’s independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) service.
This has recently been expanded to include three specially-trained officers in the community safety team.
Partnership working with external organisations to help change behaviours of offenders is also on-going – in the hope it will prevent further domestic violence.
Havering is also one of six London borough’s selected for a pilot project.
This looks at re-housing people if needed and providing intervention while support is on-going.
The Council continues to work in partnership with the Safer Neighbourhood Board, police and organisations in the borough, including Havering Women’s Aid.
We also support local bars and clubs with the Ask Angela scheme.
This is available for anyone who feels unsafe, vulnerable or threatened when at a venue.
The initiative encourages victims to discreetly seek help by approaching staff, using the code name ‘Angela’.
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:
“We want residents to know that if they are experiencing domestic violence or abuse in any shape or form that there is help out there for them.
"We also want to encourage people to report concerns.
“While we are highlighting this issue now, by supporting these important awareness campaigns, rest assured that advice and help continues throughout the year.
"No person should suffer in silence.”
The Council is also sharing information through other national campaigns.
This includes the Home Office’s Enough campaign and the Mayor of London’s Have a Word campaign.
Both support victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse, but also encourage people to challenge threatening and abusive behaviour from others.