1. Shaminder Ubhi-Director Ashiana Network 1

2. Introduction to Ashiana Network Ashiana Network is a voluntary organisation which provides temporary accommodation and other support services to women and children affected by domestic violence. We have been established since 1989, our service has continued to expand and develop in response to the needs of women and children from diverse backgrounds. We are specialised in working with South Asian, Iranian and Turkish women. We offer advice and support to women who are experiencing domestic/sexual violence and its harmful practices (FM, FGM, HBV), enabling them to make informed decisions and exit violent and abusive relationships. We provide counselling for women and girls affected by domestic violence and/or sexual violence. 2

3. Ashiana Network is part of ASCENT and is funded by London Councils to deliver range of services as part of their Domestic and Sexual Violence funding stream. Ashiana is delivering these services to women and girls (14+) as part of the London Violence against Women and Girls Consortium. 3

4. EHP is a partnership project between eight women’s organisations, lead by the AWRC (Asian Women’s Resource Centre)which includes: Ashiana Network IMECE Women’s Centre Iranian & Kurdish Women’s Rights (IKWRO) Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) Women & Girls Network (WGN) Southall Black Sisters FORWARD. This Project has been funded through London Councils strand 2.6: Specifically targeted services FGM, Honour based violence (HBV), forced marriage and other harmful practice. This is a completely new London Councils strand. Five organisations: IMECE, LAWRS, Ashiana WGN and IKWRO provide counselling and therapeutic support. Ascent - Ending Harmful Practices (EHP) 4

5. ASCENT Ending Harmful Practice Services  Activities include:  - 1:1 advice and information on rights and entitlements  - Casework and advocacy  - Therapeutic support groups and a counselling provision to women (intense 20 week contracts)  - Raising awareness of the impact of HBV, FM and FGM within communities and other voluntary and statutory agencies (not only BMER communities) through delivering workshops, training and presentations  - Supporting women through advice, advocacy, counselling and awareness raising on honour based violence, forced marriage, FGM and other harmful practices. ( intense casework)  - specific work with young women through the delivery of workshops to support peer mentoring and youth advocacy. 5

6. EHP delivery targets in Barking & Dagenham: Total of 23 women Delivery partners Ashiana, IMECE and FORWARD Issues covered : FM,HBV, FGM; intense casework and counselling Ashiana - total ( 6): 4 Advice, and 2 counselling IMECE ( 6): 4 Advice, and 2 counselling FORWARD ( 11) Advice ASCENT Ending Harmful Practices Services (Cont) 6

7. ASCENT Specialist Refuge Provision Ashiana is the lead organisation in Specialist Refuge provision and we work in partnership with Nia and Solace Women’s Aid. Nia provides refuge for women with problematic substance misuse Solace provides refuge for women with complex mental health needs Ashiana provides 4-6 bed spaces and 1:1 outreach work for women with No Recourse to Public Funds. Referrals can be made through the National DV Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or Ashiana Head Office on 020 8539 0427. 7

8. ASCENT Advice & Counselling Services Ashiana Network is part of a consortium led by Solace Women’s Aid, which include 22 generic and specialist organisations that provide: Advice Counselling Therapeutic support groups across London Ashiana delivers a range of services. 8

9. ASCENT Advice & Counselling Services (Cont) 1:1 advice and information on rights and entitlements, access to other services, casework and advocacy support. Advice services are being offered in Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. As part of the advice work, Ashiana has been facilitating generic confidence building support groups in Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Newham, Redbridge, Havering and Tower Hamlets. Also, we have been facilitating a specialist confidence building support group in Waltham Forest. 9

10. The counselling service offers women 15 short-term sessions of counselling following assessment. These services are being offered in Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. In Tower Hamlets and Newham we are providing 20 counselling sessions to clients who experience Harmful Practices. As part of our general advice and counselling services, Ashiana has been facilitating therapeutic support groups and specialist confidence building support groups in Barking & Dagenham, Bexley and Redbridge. Ashiana facilitates a generic confidence building support group in Waltham Forest. 10

11. All services for Women and Girls 14+ (free) To make a referral for advice, counselling or support group services please contact: Ashiana Network on 0208 539 0427 or email us at info@ashiana.org.ukinfo@ashiana.org.uk 11

12. Services in Barking & Dagenham Domestic Violence and Hate Crime Barking and Dagenham Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy Service YWCA, The Vineries, Dagenham Recovery Substance Misuse B&D Victim Support Barking and Dagenham Listening Zone- Young People’s Counselling Service Barking and Dagenham Children’s Social Care Services East London Rape Crisis Service 12