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Financial or economic abuse is not just about money it’s about the abuser having control and taking your choices away from you. It doesn’t always involve a crime like theft or fraud. Read more
Domestic abuse in later life has been a hidden issue, with hidden victims. It can be extremely hard for older people to reach out for help, to talk to someone about what they are suffering, and many services simply have not yet recognised that domestic abuse affects people of all ages. Read more
We all have a part to play in continuing to evolve the way in which this crime is recognised, and ensure that justice is served on those that fall victim to it. We are committed to ensuring that we continue to advocate for the rights of victims to be heard and their experiences validated. We would like to ensure that all victims are treated in a trauma informed way and in accordance with their needs. Read more
We find feedback so valuable here at Next Chapter. It is a way to offer hope to those at the beginning of their journey but also a way to offer inspiration to every single person. Read Annabelle's journey, but be warned - you may need tissues! Read more
There are different kinds of abuse but it always stems from the perpetrators need to have power and control over the other person. Perpetrators often believe their feelings and needs should be the priority in the relationship and the abuse allows them to remove the equality in the relationship , making their partners feel less valuable and undeserving of respect. Read more
Domestic Violence against men happens, yes statistically the numbers are far fewer but is this because we are totally in the dark about the true number of men who actually need our help? None of us know what goes on behind closed doors and for a man to step out and say ‘help me, I’m being abused by my partner’ is incredibly hard. We are all equals, we all count, and we all have the right to live a life free from abuse. Read more
Incidents of domestic abuse are common and have a serious impact on those who experience it. Studies have consistently demonstrated the prevalence of domestic abuse, with an estimated 1-in-4 women experiencing DA at some point in her life. Read more
The most effective way for victims to protect their own mental health is to reach out and talk to someone about how they are feeling. This could be a family member, a friend, a GP, or services such as Next Chapter. Read more
It can be a worrying time when someone you know or care about is experiencing domestic abuse. Remember your help and support can make a great difference to some who is currently experience domestic abuse. Read more
Although the response to LGBTQ+ victims of domestic abuse/violence is gradually improving, the LGBTQ+ community is often met with ineffective and victimizing legal responses. 45% of victims do not report the abuse/violence they experience to police because they believe it will not help their situation. Members of the LGBTQ+ community may feel they will be denied support from the police and domestic abuse services due to homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. This is not so. Read more
Domestic abuse includes, forced marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, the so-called honour-based abuse of women and girls, perpetrated at the hands of the people who are supposed to be trusted the most, your family, your community. Read more
Creating such a positive and caring culture in the workplace with the ability for employees to share their situation and reach out for support not only helps to prevent the escalation of abuse, it will keep employees and their families safer, help to reduce sickness, lateness and poor productivity and promote positive health and wellbeing. Read more
Research shows that a high proportion of those enduring domestic abuse are targeted at work because the abuser knows they will be there. Domestic abuse can negatively affect workplace colleagues as well as the person experiencing the abuse. However, vitally, the workplace can often be one of the few places that a person experiencing abuse can be separate from their abuser, and therefore can be the place where people are able to ask for and access support. Read more
The abuse cycle is a cleverly orchestrated process. It is designed to be this way by your abuser. They want you to feel lost, they want you to doubt yourself, then you will ‘need’ them even more. This feeds their ever-desperate ego. Read more
Victim blaming is something we have all heard of, it’s something we know is unacceptable but what if we are doing this to ourselves? Getting your own mind to stop sabotaging itself is probably just as hard as breaking away from the abuser. Read more
A Stalker is someone who spends a lot of time thinking about how to Stalk someone. We describe this behaviour using the acronym FOUR; Fixed, Obsessed, Unwanted, and Repeated. Stalking is not ok, it’s illegal. If you have chosen to end a relationship, you do not deserve unwanted contact, or threats, or to have your ex-partner turn up uninvited or harass others in your life. Read more
We can provide vital support to help victims of stalking, here at Next Chapter we have trained staff members that will help you every step of the way. Click here to read Jenny's story of stalking and how we were able to help her to now live a life free from stalking and domestic abuse. Read more
Understanding the reasons and the countless barriers that stand in the way for any woman who is attempting to leave an abusive relationship is the important part. We will never just ask a woman to leave, we empower women to make their own decisions in an attempt to hold abusers to account for their behaviour. Read more
This is something we say without really thinking too much about it when we talk to our friends and family, it’s a question, but not one we take a lot of notice of, as we all generally reply ‘good’ or ‘fine’ even when we are not really feeling that way. So, if we have our doubts we could consider How are they really? Read more
It is so important to raise awareness of sexual abuse, the many forms it can take and why many women subconsciously accept the abuse as normal in their relationship. Read more
Rape and sexual assaults do happen in relationships and if something isn’t comfortable or not wanted then regardless of relationship status should not happen. Read more
A few months ago, there was a serious incident whereby the police were called, the abuser was taken into custody. Dawn was relieved but at the same time terrified of what the implications would now mean for her and the kids. Thankfully, Dawn was referred to our services by the Police Officer who had attended that night. Dawn knew deep down that she had no choice but to face this now, head on, she was sooooo brave in doing so. Read more
One of my real highs was with a client who had endured abuse for 18 years, to ensure her safety and anonymity, I will be calling her Rebecca. Rebecca’s abuse took the form of coercive control, isolation from friends and family, manipulation, and physical abuse. She had already taken a major step in her journey before coming into our service, by splitting up with her perpetrator. The outstanding abuse and issues that needed to be resolved mainly occurred through child contact, which is sadly the Read more
Maybe this relationship is not quite what you thought it was, last Christmas was truly amazing but this Christmas you are just not sure what is going on. He is slowly starting to stop you from being who you want to be, maybe your friends and family have pointed out that you are distant or seem unhappy? This is the time to speak to someone, Next Chapter are here to listen and offer advice, it can be hard to discuss these types of worries to people you are close to and who know your partner. Read more
Following a serious incident of domestic abuse toward Martin by his partner, he was advised to seek support from The Next Chapter. When Martin first engaged in our services he made it very clear that he loved his partner and had no intention of leaving her. He said that he wanted support, as he often felt tearful and overwhelmed by the situation. He also felt embarrassed as it was ‘his job as a man’ to take care of his family and keep them safe. Read more