October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month and Croydon is marking this by encouraging more people to seek help and support.
Domestic abuse affects one in four women and one in six men, and the council’s FJC offers a range of services to help them.
So far this year the centre has helped 703 men and women who have experienced domestic abuse – whether this was physical, emotional, sexual, financial or psychological.
The FJC is run by a skilled and experienced team that listens and responds to people’s needs in a safe environment. This includes:
- an assessment of need and risk
- advice and support on all aspects of domestic abuse and sexual violence
- legal advice and support
- access to emergency safe accommodation
- support to access specialist services to help families, and advice on rape and sexual abuse
- a drop-in appointment service
- a domestic abuse helpline for survivors and practitioners.
The centre works closely with the police, the council’s housing department and Croydon University Hospital, to ensure that those affected by domestic abuse receive quick, holistic care and support.
Some of the team are placed within the Croydon community, in schools, children’s centres and health centres.
Councillor Hamida Ali, cabinet member for safer Croydon and communities
“One in four women experiencing domestic abuse at some point in their lives equates to 38,400 women in our borough. I would encourage anyone who is a victim of this crime to seek help and support.”
Croydon is also running The Drive Project which targets perpetrators of domestic abuse. The project aims to reduce offending and increase the safety of victims and their families by holding perpetrators to account and challenging them to change.
If you need help or know someone who does, contact the FJC on fjc@croydon.gov.uk or 020 8688 0100 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). Or call the free 24-hour National Domestic Violence helpline on 0808 2000 247.
For more information on Drive see http://driveproject.org.uk/
