Hindu Support Network (HSN) is a not-for-profit, voluntary organisation set up by members within the British Indian diaspora with the primary aim to educate and raise awareness on social problems and concerns and its impact upon the Hindu as well as the wider community.
Partnering with other diaspora organisations, like INSIGHT UK, the National Hindu Students’ Forum, and the Hindu Mandir Network UK, HSN works towards providing support for those who are targeted by online grooming gangs or are going through any form of domestic abuse.
Earlier this year, HSN launched an awareness campaign – titled ‘Hindu Awareness Campaign’ – to spread awareness within the diaspora about the issues tackled by the organisation and the organisation itself. During the campaign, volunteers from the organisation travelled across the country delivering talks to the diaspora and sharing some anonymised stories of the cases they had encountered.
HSN aims to offer help, advice, and guidance to those who reach out in a wholistic way; enlisting help from a wide range of professionals, such as lawyers, social workers and therapists within the diaspora. The completely confidential service now also has a live chat on their website as well as other means of communication.
The HSN website lists several signs to identify whether you or someone you know is going through domestic abuse or grooming.
Signs you or someone you know is a victim of Grooming:
Being secretive about how they are spending their time.
Having a much older boyfriend or girlfriend.
Having money or new things like clothes and mobile phones that they can't or won’t explain.
Underage drinking or drug taking.
Being upset, withdrawn or distressed.
Sexualised behaviour, language, or an understanding of sex that's not appropriate for their age.
Spending more time away from home or going missing for periods of time.
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Things your partner may do that are signs of Domestic Abuse:
Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family.
Put down your accomplishments.
Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions.
Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance.
Tell you that you are nothing without them.
Treat you roughly—grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you.
Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you.
Prevent you from doing things you want – like spending time with friends or family.
Jealousy and possessiveness.
Charming one minute and abusive the next.
He/she tells you what to wear, who you can and can’t see.
Controlling your finances.
He/she monitors or tracks your movements and messages.
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*Info: Hindu Support Network