Types of violence against women and girls (VAWG)

We describe some of the types of VAWG on this page and include links to organisations that can help.

These are serious crimes that can put someone’s life in danger. If it’s happening now, call 999.

How to report VAWG

Get advice from the Greenwich Domestic Violence and Abuse Service (GVDA)

GVDA offer confidential information and support for most types of violence against women and girls.

Visit the GVDA website.

Call 020 8317 8273.

Domestic abuse

This is any incident of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between people:

aged 16 or over
who are, or have been, partners or family members

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone.

Get help and support for domestic abuse

Sexual harassment

This is any unwanted sexual behaviour that makes you feel intimidated, degraded, humiliated or offended.

Examples include:

someone exposing themselves in public
sexual comments or gestures 
stalking
touching or rubbing against someone in a crowd or enclosed space
watching explicit sexual content in public

If you feel threatened or harassed on the street in Royal Greenwich, find a Safehaven Superhub to get help.

Report safety concerns about a public space with StreetSafe.

Visit Victim Support for more information.

Stalking

Stalking is repeated harassment that causes fear, alarm or distress. It can include:

threatening phone calls, texts, letters or emails
damaging property
spying on and following the victim, including online, known as ‘cyber-stalking’

Find out more or get help with stalking from:

Female genital mutilation (FGM)

FGM is when the female genitals are cut, injured or changed for no medical reason. It’s mostly done to young girls at some time between infancy and the age of 15.

It’s illegal in in the UK and is child abuse. The serious harmful consequences include long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health.

Find out more or find an FGM support clinic on the NHS website.

If you think a child is at risk of FGM, report your concerns about a child.

Honour-based abuse

This is abuse committed to protect or defend the so-called ‘honour’ of a family or community.

It’s often committed by a relative who feels shamed or embarrassed by the acts of the victim.

Find out more or get help from Karma Nirvana.

Forced marriage

Forced marriage is when someone is made to marry without their consent.

They’re typically pressured or abused into doing it. The abuse can often be physical, financial, sexual or emotional.

Read the GOV.UK forced marriage guidance.

Forced marriage can also be a form of modern slavery.

Sexual exploitation, modern slavery, trafficking and forced prostitution

Sexual exploitation is when someone uses another person for sexual purposes without their full understanding or agreement. This can happen through pressure, lies, threats, or force. The person being exploited might be made to do sexual things in exchange for money, gifts, safety, or approval.

Sexual exploitation can also be a form of modern slavery when someone uses another person for personal or commercial gain. Where victims can lose their freedom through things like tricks, coercion and force.

Exploitation of girls by gangs

The Home Office, in partnership with other agencies, defines a girl or woman who might be at risk from gangs as:

“a woman or girl who is a family member of or in an intimate relationship with a gang nominal.”

Girls and women may still be affected even if they do not fit this definition.

Girls and women affected by gangs may be:

forced to break the law, for example, hide weapons or drugs for others, steal, or help set people up
hurt or abused by gang members, including sexual abuse
used by gangs to hurt other gangs
sexually exploited by a gang member if they’re under 18. This is Child sexual exploitation

Violence against women and girls (VAWG)

Contents