SafeNet Domestic Abuse and Support Services offer a variety of support to all victims of domestic abuse.
The charity, which has been supporting women and children and most recently male victims for over 40 years, was recently commissioned to run a unique and critical service along the Fylde Coast.
SafeNet’s Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA’s) in Blackpool support victims who are at the highest risk of serious harm and homicide, offering help and advice to navigate the criminal justice system and ensure their safety.
Alongside the IDVA service, SafeNet works with children who are victims of domestic abuse (Children’s Independent Domestic Violence Advisors). The CIDVA service carries out 1-1 and group work sessions to support children who are experiencing domestic abuse.
This year alone 515 adults have been referred to the IDVA service and 48 children have worked with CIDVA.
Mandie Mason, Blackpool Service Team Leader, said; “The police refer high risk domestic abuse victims into our Blackpool community based service. The demand for this service is incredibly high and the people being referred can be at serious risk of homicide.
“At SafeNet our specially trained Independent Domestic Violence Advisor’s support victims at a time when their lives can feel overwhelming and out of control. An IDVA will provide support around the criminal justice system, safety planning, health and wellbeing, housing needs, emergency accommodation and family court matters.
“Our IDVA’s focus is on educating individuals on how to keep safe and reduce the risk of homicide by empowering individuals to know their rights and take appropriate actions based on their own needs.”
SafeNet delivers services across the North West and offers Refuge and safe house facilities, one of which is Jane’s Place, a specialist complex needs refuge for women and children and is the only purpose built facility in the North West to support complex needs and DA victims.
Jane’s Place was opened in July 2017 and was named in memory of Jane Clough, who was murdered by her abusive ex-partner as she arrived for work at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. The complex needs Refuge supports women with needs such as drug and alcohol addiction, mental health issues and offending behaviour. Since opening, Jane’s Place has supported 78 women in total.
For more information on the services SafeNet offer across Blackpool and the North West, please visit; www.safenet.org.uk or contact 0300 3033 581 or contact@safenet.org.uk if you or someone you know is in need of help and support.
To see what SafeNet do on a daily basis, please visit our Facebook ‘safenet domestic abuse and support services’ or on Twitter @SafeNet_UK