If you think you may be in an abusive relationship or experiencing abuse from a family member, there are lots of people who can help you.
In an emergency:
Report to A & E, Call 999 and request an ambulance
Report to Police, Call 999. There is an option for silent support if talking will put you in danger.
If it is not an emergency, you can speak to your GP/healthcare professional
or call the Police non-emergency number 101 or attend any local Police station
Rights of Women have detailed advice about reporting to the police and a guide to criminal investigations
There are also a lot of independent support organisations that can support you.
You can access the Athena service, run by Refuge. They provide confidential, non-judgmental support to those living, studying or working in the borough of Lewisham who are experiencing gender-based violence.
Their services support women and girls aged 13 and over, and men aged 16 or over – including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or are unsure of their sexuality. The Athena service also supports transgender clients who identify as male, female, as another gender, or are questioning their gender identity. Tel: 0800 112 4052 Email: lewishamvawg@refuge.org.uk
You can also call the national domestic violence number, this is open 24/7 and can be anonymous: 0808 2000 247
Goldsmiths Support for Students
- Goldsmiths Wellbeing Team. The wellbeing team are available for advice and guidance for specific issues and for ongoing wellbeing support for students. They can support you if you have been accused. Appointments can be booked through the Student Wellbeing Service by contacting wellbeing@gold.ac.uk
- The SU Advice. The SU Advice Service offers independent advice on the following matters: the university complaints process; academic result appeals; academic progress committee appeals; student conduct matters and academic issues. They can be contacted by completing this form:https://www.goldsmithssu.org/advice/contact/
- Campus Support Officers. This staff team works out of hours as a first point of contact for absolutely anything, seven days a week 6pm to 6am. They are based in Loring Management Centre (Accommodation Office/Security), in St James. You can contact them on 020 7919 7284 or campus-support@gold.ac.uk 6pm - 6am
Goldsmiths Support for Staff
- Staff Assistance Programme. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year support
o Confidential support, and is independent from Goldsmiths
o Accessible via phone, e-mail, instant messaging and website
o No cost to you
o Professional consultation, counselling, information, resources and referrals to services in your local area
o No limit to the number of issues you can get support on
- Staff Counsellor. The staff counselling service aims to offer support promptly.
- Trade Unions. Goldsmiths recognises two campus trade unions. UNISON and UCU. Staff who are members can contact them for support and advice.
- Staff Wellbeing. Goldsmiths has a staff wellbeing hub on Goldmine where you can find a variety of initiatives developed to support staff.
Other sources of support
- Respect. Information and support for men who experience domestic violence. Advice line open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm or email info@respectphoneline.org.uk
- Women and Girls’ Network. Counselling and support to help women and girls recover from violence. Tel: 0808 801 0770
- Revenge Porn Helpline: Open10.00am-4.00pm, Monday to Friday - 0345 600 0459
- Galop. is a charity that supports lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer people affected by sexual and domestic violence. They run London and National phone helpline as as well as an online chat service Saturday & Sunday: 15:00 - 19:00
- Respond. Helps children and adults with learning disabilities who have experienced abuse or trauma, as well as those who have abused others, through psychotherapy, advocacy and other support. Tel: 0808 808 0700
- Women’s Trust. Specialist domestic violence counselling in some boroughs (NOT Lewisham), but support groups and workshops are pan-London