Our approach

We know that helping individuals recover from their experiences of domestic abuse can be complex, time-consuming and requires the involvement of a range of services and partner organisations, we see ourselves as a invaluable source of help, advice and support working alongside partner organisations.

As a well-established provider of specialist domestic abuse services, we recognise the value in working together for shared outcomes and our organisation is grounded in strong partnership working principles, practices and culture. We value the opinions and role that other professionals play in the recovery and protection of the individuals we support, particularly when the family unit includes children and young people and we look to support wherever we can. We seek to share relevant information where we have consent and where it relates to safeguarding concerns to enable the right support, by the right agency, at the right time can be provided.

We strive to ensure that the services we provide always represent best practice in delivery whilst also working to deliver service delivery innovation and development that can be shared.

We also know that, through our trained specialist staff, we offer unique insights and expertise in managing the impact of domestic abuse. We are keen to ensure that we share this learning and development with partner professionals and organisations to grow the number of individuals who are able to spot the signs of domestic abuse and feel confident to have that first conversation.

Latest

Lorna's Interview for International Women's Day!

What better way to celebrate IWD 2021 than by sharing some amazing stories and information from our staff. Please click to read Lorna's, our Refuge Accommodation & Complex Needs Manager, interview to find out what made her want to work supporting victims of domestic abuse!
Women Who Kill

As the culmination of 4 years of research by the Women's Centre for Justice into the criminal justice response to women who kill abusive men, this offers thought provoking insights into how the law, and how it is applied, prevents women from accessing justice...
Sexual Abuse in a Relationship

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.
Sexual Abuse Awareness Week

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.

Ask for ANI scheme

This is a new scheme created by the government to try and help victims of domestic abuse in lockdown. ANI stands for 'Action Needed Immediately' and if asked to a member of staff in a pharmacy, help will be given.
Domestic Violence Lockdown Appeal

Lockdown increases the opportunities that abusers can coerce or abuse women and children.
Covid-19 - what are we doing?

As part of our commitment to individuals experiencing domestic abuse and their families who are worried about them - we’re doing our very best to make sure that we are always available to respond and help. Your safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance to us and we are prioritising our services in relation to safety and support above everything else.
Our Services

We work with survivors of domestic abuse to help them make choices to reclaim their lives and begin their next chapter.
Professional referrals

Use this full referral form to access services
Volunteer for us

Our volunteers bring invaluable experience and enthusiasm to our organisation, and help to strengthen our links to the communities we serve.

How to move forward from loss and grief

These are all perfectly natural feelings and reactions to loss and grief and some may even compare it to a bereavement. Even if you don’t feel that way at all you may have been left feeling empty and confused or angry. We might constantly be bargaining with ourselves still or find that depression has taken over. We all deal with loss in our own individual ways and this is what makes each of us so unique. This is perfectly normal too.
How does domestic abuse differ in other cultures?

The actions of individuals are influenced by the norms, values, language, and other cultural factors that are like the dust in the air that surrounds everyone. These cultural factors are ingrained in us from the day we are born, and can play a role in either ending or perpetuating domestic abuse.
Sexual Abuse Awareness Week

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.
Special Place in the Home

So, you survived Monday! Well done. One of the things that I am really missing is seeing my friends and family – we know that ‘being connected’ is really important for our mental health and emotional wellbeing. Having close positive relationships gives us a purpose and a sense of belonging. During this lockdown many of the ways we are usually connected to people – friends, family, work colleagues, school chums – have changed beyond all recognition.
The Role of an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

So, imagine for a moment that you’ve summoned up the courage to finally leave, you’re feeling vulnerable and afraid and understandably really nervous about what the future might hold –you have to try and find your way through all that…. that's if you even knew half of it existed in the first place or where and how to start to getting in touch with them… So that's where we IDVA’S come in.
Safety begins at home.....?

We know from speaking to our clients, that the lockdown has meant that some perpetrators may not be able to feed their addictions, or they may be over feeding their addictions due to boredom or frustration and this in turn will be affecting their mental health. There is so much research about the dangerous cocktail of this ‘toxic trio’ (the combination of domestic abuse, substance misuse and mental health issues) as it leads to emotions being intensified which in turn drives behaviours.
Covid-19 - what are we doing?

As part of our commitment to individuals experiencing domestic abuse and their families who are worried about them - we’re doing our very best to make sure that we are always available to respond and help. Your safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance to us and we are prioritising our services in relation to safety and support above everything else.
Me, Myself and Abuser….

Slowly I started to realised that this would never change. That my prince charming doesn’t exist, it was just a mask and a trap to lure me in. I started looking for a way out. I couldn’t tell my friends and family the truth, they would judge me. They would ask me questions like “why didn’t you leave before?”, “why did you stay?” and “why did you have a baby with him?”. They would never understand that the hope my prince charming would return was stronger that any rational thinking.
Help in an emergency

What to do in an emergency. If you think that you are in immediate danger then you need to call 999 for the police.
My abuser has given me…. Trauma Bonding

Jane struggled to understand why it happened to her, what was wrong with her and how to break the emotional ties to her abuser. Sharing a child with Toni made it even more difficult as he would often accuse her of preventing him from being a father as a further way to manipulate her and play on her emotions. Jane has found herself torn between being told not to go back for her safety and the safety of her child and feelings of love and the believe that she needs to help Toni.