Housing

Domestic violence

Please note: Much of the advice on this page is now out of date as the service is currently undergoing many changes. If you need any information or advice please contact the Domestic Violence Coordinator at the address shown.

Alternatively look at the new Barking and Dagenham Domestic Violence Forum website which provides information and advice for people experiencing domestic violence. Within the site you can find out about a range of issues including getting help from the police, leaving home, long term housing options and benefit entitlements.

The purpose of this page is to explain how the Customer Services Department assist victims of domestic violence, including violence from both within and outside the home from a partner or ex-partner. It can be aimed directly at the victim or another member of the family with the intent to control the victim e.g. threat's to a victim's child.

Domestic violence is about control and the misuse of power, within an intimate relationship.

Although it is usually men who abuse women, domestic violence also occurs in gay, lesbian and transgender relationships, and happens regardless of race, culture, religion, age or ability. Women can also abuse men.

Domestic violence can include:

Physical violence
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
Social isolation
Controlling finances

When seeking help in the first instance we will always ask you to contact the other agencies listed overleaf i.e. the police and solicitors as they can offer you advice and assistance on protecting yourself and any legal interest you may have in your home.

If on discussing the matter with the agencies you feel it is not practical to resolve the matter yourself via court proceedings, the Customer Services Department will consider helping you to gain possession of your home where practical and/or offering you suitable alternative accommodation.

The Customer Services Department will always consider helping victims of domestic violence who have been unable to resolve their housing situation themselves. In offering this assistance, we do look to the victim supporting us where necessary when we seek to repossess a property and this may include you swearing an affidavit or appearing in court.

The way in which we help you may vary depending on your particular circumstance and whether or not you are a tenant, joint tenant, or the partner or a spouse/partner of a tenant. Generally we will seek to gain possession of the family home and offer you the tenancy, or a tenancy of a similar property elsewhere if more appropriate.

What we will do

Give you advice about your housing

You can contact our Housing Advice Team if you or your partner owns the property, or you rent the home you live in from someone else. If you are a council tenant you may also seek advice from your local Community Housing Office.

We can offer you advice as to any legal rights you might have to enable you to stay in your home, if safe. If it is not safe for you to remain, we can advise you what housing options are available to you. The Housing Advice Team is also able to offer advice and practical help if you wish to access a Women's Refuge.

Domestic violence is not tolerated by us. We will try to take action against Council tenants who abuse members of their household, if practical and if you consent to this action being taken.

Consider temporary accommodation

If it is not safe for you to remain in your home, our Housing Advice and Homeless Persons Unit will consider finding you safe, temporary accommodation.

If you are a Council tenant and are experiencing domestic violence from outside the home e.g. an ex partner, we can consider you for a transfer to another council property. This type of move is called a 'Management Transfer'. You will need to speak to your local Community Housing Office about this; you can also request the separate advice note on 'Management Transfers'.

Advise you of other agencies who may be able to help

We may suggest that you speak to a solicitor who can advise you and offer assistance on protecting you, your children and any legal interest you may have in your home.

The police can help you protect yourself and can be contacted in an emergency by dialling 999. They also have a Community Safety Unit, which specialises in domestic violence cases and can give advice on what action the police can take.

A partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge offer a single telephone number to callers who want to get help about domestic violence. The service is free, available 24 hours and enables better access to services. Telephone 0808 2000 247.

How long will this take?

We aim to provide you with initial advice on agencies, which can help you on the day of your enquiry in person or within 3 working days if you have written to us. We will advise you within 5 working days of what we can do to assist you if we receive an application supported by 2 other agencies.

Useful telephone numbers|

Domestic violence web links|

Adult and Community Services and domestic violence|