People who have experienced domestic abuse have been hurt and traumatised. 

Children and Young People who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse have been hurt and traumatised. 

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse does not discriminate by gender, age, ability, financial status, sexuality, race or religion. Those affected by domestic abuse can find themselves existing in a world where they are isolated often frightened or hurt, their confidence and self-esteem have been undermined, where they lack control over who they see, where they go, what they do and their own money. 

We recognise that every person has their own story and their own individual needs. When people are ready to reach out for help, we will work with them in partnership in a non-judgemental, caring and friendly way. We will take the time to listen as people tell us their stories. We will let them see that they have been not only listened to but heard. 

We understand that to work with a person who has experienced domestic abuse we will need to provide a range of services to meet the needs of the whole person. Particularly support with their mental health and to rebuild their self-esteem. Where the person has needs that are complex, we will work in partnership with other organisations to provide individual person-centred packages of care and support. 

We will work with a person, at their own pace. We recognise that not everyone is at the point where they are ready to leave an abusive relationship when they first make contact with us. We understand and support people who are terrified to stay, yet terrified to leave. 

We understand that children and young people who have been victims of or who have witnessed domestic violence have been significantly damaged by their experiences. We will listen to children and young people, as we do to adults with empathy and sensitivity. We will make an individual package of care for each child which recognises their individual needs. 

Where the risk of harm to a child or adult is high, we will work in partnership with the statutory agencies to keep children and vulnerable adults safe. 

We provide a safe space for women and their children, who need to flee domestic violence, to live while we support them to rebuild their lives. We recognise the need to hold these women and children in a nurturing and friendly environment provided by a skilled staff team. We aim to support these women and children to recognise their strengths and to slowly enable them to re-build their self-esteem and confidence. 

We understand some people do not need a place in a refuge when they leave an abusive relationship. They need support to enable them to stay safe, to understand what has happened to them and support to help them to begin to come to terms with these experiences. We also understand that they need a wide range of practical, housing and legal advice. Our aim is to work with the person to make a support plan and provide services which are right for them. 

We support children and young people who have been abused or who have witnessed abuse to understand and talk about these experiences, to rebuild nurturing relationships with their parents or carers, to experience all kinds of play and to feel safe and secure. We understand how traumatic childhood events can have a lifelong impact on a person’s feelings of self-worth and mental health. 

We believe that individuals coming together with a shared understanding of what domestic abuse is, can work together to keep people safe and to advocate for the individual and for changes in society.