Violence against women and girls

In an emergency, always call the police on 999.

The Gaia Centre (run by Refuge) provides confidential, non-judgmental, and independent support services for those living in the London borough of Lambeth who are experiencing gender-based violence, including domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Contact us

If you are ready to seek help, contact Gaia:

• phone: 020 7733 8724, 8.00am-6.00pm every day, with additional out-of-hours on-call service provided via the same contact number
• email: lambethvawg@refuge.org.uk

You can also find out more on the Gaia Centre website

Who can get support?

• anyone living in Lambeth who has experienced or is at risk of gender-based violence, including:
• women, girls and non-binary aged 13 and over
• men aged 16 and over
• young people of all genders from the age of 11, who have witnessed, experienced or has been impacted by domestic abuse
• transgender, and identifies as male, female, non-binary, as another gender, or is questioning their gender identity.

Available support

Everyone’s needs are unique and we will work with you to create a support plan that helps to keep you safe. For example, you may need to:

• talk to someone who understands what you are going through
• get specialist support for you and your children
• receive support with contacting the police
• move away from the area
• access a refuge
• stay at home but want to find out how to keep safe
• receive support if you are considering going to court
• access legal advice
• get help to manage your financial situation
• find out about support networks in your community
• get specialist support for your children.
• get support around tech abuse

Services

• an independent gender-based violence advocacy (IGVA) team to support you if you are at risk of serious harm, including specialist IGVA supporting clients from black, Asian and multi-ethnic backgrounds.
• a community outreach team
• a specialist service for 13-17 year-old girls and non-binary.
• a specialist early intervention support from the Lambeth Early Action Partnership (LEAP) domestic abuse enhanced caseworkers for any parent with unborn child or a child who is 4 years and under
• a sanctuary scheme to help you remain safe in your home.
• group support.
• a peer mentoring scheme to help break your isolation, to help build social networks and to support you while you regain control of your life
• volunteering opportunities. For volunteering opportunities please email LambethVAWG@refuge.org.uk

The service is free and staffed by female members of staff only. Children are welcome.

Find out more

You can also find out more on the Gaia Centre website

You can also access information on Gaia in different languages:

• Gaia Centre leaflet - English (PDF, 272KB)
• Gaia Centre leaflet - Arabic (PDF, 978KB)
• Gaia Centre leaflet - Polish (PDF, 203KB)
• Gaia Centre leaflet - Portuguese (PDF, 250KB)
• Gaia Centre leaflet - Spanish (PDF, 253KB)
• Gaia Centre leaflet - Urdu (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Gaia Centre leaflet: Male service (PDF, 90KB)
• Gaia Centre poster 1 (PDF, 1.8MB)
• Gaia Centre poster 2 (1MB)

For information on other support and specialist services, please visit the VAWG directory [hyperlink to directory page]

What to do in an emergency

Click here [to be hyperlinked] for details on safeguarding and what to do in an emergency

How to support family and friends experiencing abuse

Many of us know someone affected by domestic abuse but it can be hard to know how best to support them.

• If you believe an adult or child is in immediate danger due to domestic abuse, call the police on 999.
• If it's not an emergency, you can tell the charity CrimeStoppers UK what you know 100% anonymously. Phone 0800 555 111 or visit the CrimeStoppers website.
• SafeLives have resources on supporting friends and family members experiencing domestic abuse during COVID-19 which include specific resources created by Galop on supporting LGB and/or T+ survivors. They also have a handy guide and a podcast on the subject.
• For advice on supporting someone you care about who is experiencing domestic abuse see Refuge's Help someone you care about - Refuge Charity - Domestic Violence Help

Public safety

1.         Ask for ANI code word

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for ‘ANI’ in a participating pharmacy. ‘ANI’ stands for Action Needed Immediately. If a pharmacy has the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo on display, it means they’re ready to help.

2.         Safe spaces

Boots UK, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK to provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse.

Finding a Safe Space

Walk into any participating pharmacy in the UK, you can find these pharmacies here

Ask at the healthcare counter to use their Safe Space.

A pharmacist will show you to the Safe Space which will be the consultancy room.

Once inside, you will find displayed specialist domestic abuse support information for you to make a call or access Bright Sky safely.