Angelou Domestic Violence Project
Al-Hasaniya has been part of the Tri Borough Angelou Partnership since its establishment in 2015. The partnership consists of nine other specialist organisations that have come together to support women and girls experiencing domestic or sexual violence and harmful practices across Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea.
Understanding Domestic Abuse
At Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre, we believe it is important for every woman and family to understand what domestic abuse is and how it can affect lives.
Domestic abuse, sometimes called domestic violence or intimate partner violence is a pattern of behaviour used by one person to gain power and control over another within a relationship. This abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial harm, as well as threats or intimidation.
Abuse may involve behaviours that frighten, humiliate, control, or hurt someone. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, faith, gender, or sexual orientation. It can occur in marriages, partnerships, or dating relationships, and across all communities and circumstances.
Domestic abuse can also affect children, relatives, and others living in the same household.
Often, abuse is not a one off incident. It tends to happen repeatedly and may become more severe over time. In some cases, it can lead to serious injury or even loss of life.
Recognising the Signs
It can sometimes be difficult to recognise abuse, especially when it develops gradually. You may wish to reflect on your relationship by considering the following:
Does your partner:
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Put you down, embarrass you, or criticise you in front of others?
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Make you feel unable to make your own decisions?
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Use threats, intimidation, or anger to control you?
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Tell you that you are nothing without them?
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Handle you roughly or physically hurt you?
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Monitor your movements or constantly check up on you?
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Blame you for their behaviour or emotions?
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Pressure you into sexual activities you are not comfortable with?
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Stop you from seeing friends or family?
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Make you feel trapped or unable to leave?
Do you:
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Feel afraid of how your partner may react?
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Make excuses for their behaviour to others?
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Feel responsible for changing to keep the peace?
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Avoid conflict at all costs?
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Put your partner’s needs before your own out of fear?
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Stay because you are worried about what might happen if you leave?
If any of these feel familiar, it is important to speak to someone you trust. Abuse rarely stops on its own, but support is available, and reaching out is a strong and courageous first step.
Remember
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You do not deserve to be abused.
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The abuse is not your fault.
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You are not alone.
At our centre, we understand the additional worries you may have:
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Immigration concerns: There may be options available to support you.
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Language barriers: We can provide support in many Arabic dialects
Understanding Power and Control
Domestic abuse is not only about physical violence. While physical or sexual harm may be more visible, many forms of abuse are less obvious but equally harmful.
Abusers often use a range of behaviours such as emotional manipulation, isolation, and financial control to maintain power. Even a single act of physical violence can create fear that allows ongoing control.
Types of Abuse
Emotional Abuse
This includes constant criticism, insults, humiliation, and controlling behaviour. It may involve isolating you from loved ones, monitoring your activities, or withholding affection.
Physical Abuse
Any form of physical harm, including hitting, pushing, choking, or using weapons. It may also include preventing access to medical care or forcing substance use.
Psychological Abuse
This involves intimidation, threats, “mind games,” or creating fear through manipulation, including threats to harm you, your children, or loved ones.
Sexual Abuse
This includes any sexual activity without your consent, including pressure, coercion, or force.
Financial Abuse
This occurs when someone controls your access to money, prevents you from working or studying, or makes you financially dependent.
Stalking
Repeated unwanted contact or monitoring, such as constant calls, messages, or following you. This behaviour often escalates over time.
We're a free and confidential service for Moroccan and Arabic speaking women and girls experiencing all forms of domestic abuse. This project is a true life line for those who suffer extreme domestic abuse of all sorts. We offer a culturally sensitive service and work towards supporting you in a respectful manner, in your language and understanding your culture.
Our work is tailor made based on your needs. It can range from advice to support leaving an abusive relationship or support after you have left an abusive relationship.
Our Arabic Speaking Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA) will support you to explore your options, increase your safety and understanding of the criminal justice system, social services and other agencies as well as enhancing your emotional well-being.
Support can be offered via telephone or face to face- depending on your needs and wishes.
These are the issues we can help with:
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Domestic abuse, this includes familial as well as partner relations
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Harmful practices, such as FGM and honour-based violence
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Sexual violence or abuse, including rape and child sexual exploitation
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Faith-based violence
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Stalking and harassment
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Immigration, including no recourse to public funds
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Supporting you to communicate with other agencies e.g solicitors, police, courts, housing
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Emotional well-being, problem solving and positive activities
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Practical issues around housing, finance and contact with social services
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Support tailored to specific backgrounds and needs, such as ethnicity and sexual orientation
Support for Survivors
If you are experiencing abuse or are worried about your safety or your children’s safety, support is available.
You can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (UK) on 0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours).
If English is not your first language, you can request support in a language you are comfortable with. At Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre, we are here to listen, support, and guide you in a safe and confidential way.
How You Can Help Someone
If you are concerned about someone:
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Listen without judgement and believe them
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Let them know they are not alone
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Encourage them to seek professional support
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Offer practical help and information
Remember, leaving an abusive relationship can take time, and support must be patient and understanding.
If You Are Worried About Your Own Behaviour
If you recognise that your behaviour towards your partner is harmful, it is important to seek help. Support services are available to help you change and prevent further harm.
Abuse is not only harmful it may also have serious legal consequences.
How We Can Support You
At Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre, our experienced and compassionate team is here to support you, whatever your situation. We offer guidance, advice, and a safe space to talk.
You do not have to face this alone, we are here to help.
In case of emergency call 999
we are not an emergency service, and will endeavour to respond to your referral within 48 hours
List Title
Staying Safe and Safety Planning
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Prepare an emergency bag
If it is safe, keep essential items ready such as identification, important documents, money, medication, keys, and a phone charger. You may wish to leave this with someone you trust.
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Arrange a safe place
This could be a trusted friend, family member, or a refuge. Support is available through local authorities regardless of where you live.
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Make a plan
Think about a safe time to leave and plan your route carefully.
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Protect your privacy
Consider how your partner may track you. You may need to:
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Use another phone
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Delete search history
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Turn off location services
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Avoid social media
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Change passwords on your email accounts
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If children are involved inform the school to arrange different time to pick your children
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If you have any pre planned hospital or GP appointments, rearrange them
We can also support you with staying digitally safe.
Campaigns we've participated in
As well as providing one to one support for victims/survivors of abuse, we also work tirelessly to advocate for our clients and demand changes are made at a policy level so they can obtain the rights they deserve. We also regularly participate in surveys and interviews to explore changes in the field that can support our clients who are marginalised and minoritised.
VAWG Cost of Living
As women's incomes are squeezed, many are forced to stay in abusive situations - facing an unthinkable choice of harm or destitution. We join 80 women's orgs in calling on @hmtreasury to ensure women have the support they need in the Cost of living crisis.
