Advice on Domestic Violence

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Generalist Advice Centres in Southwark Offering Free Drop-in Advice on Domestic Violence

Generalist advice providers can provide information, advice and help to resolve your basic problems. These agencies offer free drop-in sessions, for which no appointment is necessary. Typically, these advice centres will:

  • diagnose your problem;
  • explain the options available to you;
  • help you identify further action you can take;
  • give you basic assistance;
  • fill in forms and draft letters; and
  • contact other organisations for further information if necessary.

Some general-help organisations can also offer casework. This means:

  • they can take action on your behalf;
  • they can put your case to someone else to persuade them to decide in your favour;
  • they can negotiate by telephone, letter, or face to face; and
  • they may provide advocacy services. This means speaking for you at formal proceedings, for example at some tribunals.

Please note that these organisations can only represent you at some tribunals. You cannot get legal aid at this level, and you may have to pay some costs. Speak to your adviser to find out more.

Solace Women's Aid

Units 5-7, Blenheim Court, 62 Brewery Road, London N7 9NY. Advice on Improving safety, Housing and homelessness, Welfare Benefits Family, & Children's issue,s Legal options. Phone on 020 7619 1365 or email southwark@solacewomensaid.org The office is staffed Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm with an out of hours service for both service users and professionals providing 24 hour access to advice, however in an emergency please call 999 and ask for the Police.

Bermondsey Citizens Advice Bureau

8 Market Place, Southwark Park Road, London SE16 3UQ. General advice on consumer issues, employment, housing, debt, health, education, community care & family. Specialist advice in immigration and welfare benefits. Drop-in service: Tue & Thu 10am - 1pm. Advice Line 0844 499 4134: Mon 1.30pm - 3.30pm, Tues 4.30pm - 6.30pm, Wed 1.30pm - 3.30pm, Thu 11.00am - 1.00pm.

Peckham Citizens Advice Bureau

97 Peckham High Street, London SE15 5RS. General advice on consumer issues, employment, housing, debt, health, education, community care & family. Specialist advice in immigration and welfare benefits. Drop-in service: Mon, Wed & Fri 10am - 1pm. Advice Line 0844 499 4134: Mon 1.30pm - 3.30pm, Tues 4.30pm - 6.30pm, Wed 1.30pm - 3.30pm, Thu 11.00am - 1.00pm.

Multi-Lingual Community Rights Shop

213 Camberwell Road, London SE5 0HG. General advice for people whose first language is not English. Drop-in service: Mon, 10am-12noon (Spanish); Fri: 10am-12noon (Cantonese, Mandarin & Fujianese) Advice line 020 7703 4442: Mon, 10am-11am (Spanish); Tue, 10am-11am (Spanish & Portuguese); Fri, 10am-11am (Spanish), 2pm-3pm (Cantonese, Mandarin & Fujianese).

Blackfriars Advice Centre

Cambridge House, 131 Camberwell Road, London SE5 0HF. Areas of advice: housing, debt, welfare benefits, employment, goods & services. Drop-in session: Mon-Thu: 10am-12pm. Advice line 020 7358 7035: Mon, Tue & Thu 2pm-4pm.