New project to help domestic abuse victims

Survivors frequently report that opportunities to help them were missed in their local community.

Women’s Aid, the national domestic abuse charity in England, in partnership with Welsh Women’s Aid, has launched a new pilot scheme to look at changing approaches to domestic abuse.

The ‘Ask Me’ pilot scheme will be implemented by the charity aims to make sure there are more opportunities for survivors of domestic abuse to find the help they need from within their own community.

The scheme is aimed at professionals within those communities such as hairdressers, shop assistants, local community and voluntary sector workers, local community champions, job centre personnel, community centres, food banks, youth centres, criminal justice agencies, court personnel, children’s centre staff, health professionals, education professionals, housing offices and drug and alcohol services.

It is being launched initially as a pilot in three areas in England and Wales, with the longer-term aim being to extend it nationally.

Survivors frequently report to Women’s Aid that opportunities to help them were missed in the local community. Women’s Aid is therefore pushing for better and earlier identification of victims and proper signposting to support.

‘Ask Me’ aims to create communities in which survivors can their disclose abuse early, and get support.

The scheme will mean there are safe spaces in local business and community settings where women experiencing coercive control and other forms of domestic abuse can talk to someone and get the help they need quickly.

From 15 June onwards, Women’s Aid will be appealling for those who work in jobs that interact frequently with local communities – such as hairdressers and shop assistants – to become an ‘Ask Me Ambassador’.

The pilot areas are Brighton and Hove and East Sussex, Tri-borough (Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Hammersmith and Fulham) and Powys.

Fifty community ambassadors will be selected in each area and undergo two days of training that will help them understand domestic abuse, including coercive control, and to know how to spot the signs and where to send women for additional help and support.

The Ambassadors are to be asked to stay alert to warning signs of domestic abuse, and provide information on the local services available if someone believing themselves in danger speaks to them.

The ‘Ask Me’ pilot has been funded by the ‘Tampon Tax’ and by Comic Relief and is part of the increasing efforts being made to identify women experiencing domestic abuse at a much earlier point than has so far been the norm.

Polly Neate, the chief executive of Women’s Aid in England, explained that: “Early intervention and community support are vital tools in working to end domestic abuse.

“Many women live with abuse for years without telling anyone and often have contact with several agencies or people in their local community before they get help.

“These women have few opportunities to disclose their abuse because their space for action is extremely limited.

“Therefore, when an opportunity occurs, it is vital they receive the right support.

“Most people are not open to hearing that abuse is happening, or do not know how to respond appropriately.

“Our ‘Ask Me’ initiative will equip individuals in local communities with the basic skills, knowledge and tools to have a supportive conversation and provide an appropriate response.”

Eleri Butler, the chief executive of Welsh Women’s Aid, said: “Women in Wales have told us how important it is for local communities to understand domestic abuse and the help available.

“Living with abuse in rural areas means survivors are further isolated and it’s vitally important they have effective routes to safety and support.

“So we are pleased to be working in partnership with Women’s Aid in England, to pilot how local community ambassadors in Wales can help increase understanding of domestic abuse and signpost to support provided by the Wales Live Fear Helpline and specialist services.

“Developing early intervention that meets survivors’ needs and prevents further abuse is a priority for public services in Wales since the enactment of the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act.

“It’s equally important that community services and groups are well-equipped to identify domestic abuse and respond appropriately.

“We will be working with survivors and local services to ensure the tools and resources developed are relevant for communities in Wales, that safety is maximised and survivors’ needs remain central to strengthening community responses to domestic abuse.”

Registrations for ‘Ask Me’ pilot in the three areas open from 15 June, and training to be an Ambassador starts in September.

To get involved, please click here.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the 24-Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

Anyone in Wales who needs help or support because of domestic abuse or sexual violence, the Live Fear Free Helpline can be contacted on 0808 80 10 800, day or night, for confidential support.

In an emergency – if you feel threatened – call 999.