Improving access to support

Our strategy sets out six recommendations designed to make it easier for women and children affected by violence to get the help and support they need.

The recommendations are to:

• ensure equitable access to high quality support services across London
• expand Rape Crisis provision in London - notably by increasing the number of Rape Crisis Centres, which offer long-term counselling and services
• promote the Havens - Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), which provide high quality victim care and clinical services for those who have suffered recent assaults
• respond to the needs of children and young people experiencing violence
• ensure all relevant professionals across London receive violence against women training
• improve information and resources for the public
• meet the needs of London's diverse communities.

Rape Crisis Centres

The Mayor has delivered his manifesto commitment around increasing the number of Rape Crisis Centres from one to four and supported the expansion of services at the South London Rape Crisis Centre which for a long time was the only one left in London.  This has significantly improved the availability of support services for survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse in London.  Find out more about the London Rape Crisis Centres

Know Where to Go

We have improved information and resources for the public by creating a directory of all support services available for violence against women and girls victims and their families. The Know Where To Go database allows practitioners and victims to access information quickly and effectively.

Meeting the needs of London's diverse communities

In order to meet the needs of London’s diverse communities, we have commissioned a study into harmful practices entitled The Missing Link. It was officially launched at a seminar in London’s Living Room on 9 November 2011, with Jane Ellison MP and a wide range of speakers determined to put an end to harmful practices in the UK. As a result, a number of recommendations have been put forward to strengthen our approach.

Safeguarding Children

The Mayor of London has supported and shared the London Safeguarding Children Board’s new set of guidance to help agencies identify and support children who have been trafficked. The guidelines aim to support social workers, teachers, police, health workers and other professionals who may come into contact with suspected victims of trafficking, and have been piloted extensively in a number of local authorities across London over the past 18 months. Find out more at www.londonscb.gov.uk/trafficking/

New trafficking hotline

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has created a new trafficking hotline number for London. Victims and members of the public can now call for assistance and speak to specially trained officers. Officers are working to ensure the number is available 24/7 during the London 2012 Games when there could be a potential increase in trafficking.