Domestic abuse survivors to make their voices heard at relaunched forum

Article date: 4 November 2023

This event will provide an opportunity for survivors to help transform local services and to connect with others, including partner agencies who are actively working towards ending domestic abuse in the borough.

It's hoped the relaunch will encourage new people to get involved to keep refreshing the membership and widening the voices of survivors, to further understanding and improve services.

Attendees will have the chance to listen to members of the Survivors Forum as they share their achievements and the impact they have made thus far.

The event will help the public and wider partners understand how the Survivors Forum operates, including its charter and values, while helping to break the stigma and shame surrounding domestic abuse and life after domestic abuse.

Refreshments will be provided, and attendees will also have access to information on early support and how to join the Survivors' Forum.

The Domestic Abuse Partnership Board hopes to include as many voices from the forum as possible as it works to update the Domestic Abuse Strategy in 2024.

Councillor Mancyia Uddin, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said:

"Domestic abuse comes in many forms but invariably its survivors speak about feeling trapped and helpless in their own home. And getting the support they need, reaching out for the lifelines that we have in St Helens Borough, can feel like a blind leap of faith.

"Our Survivors' Forum proves that victims can break free, even when the cycle of domestic abuse appears inevitable, and escape seems futile. It proves that help is just a call or message away, that there are others who have made that leap and that furthermore, survivors can come together to make that step easier for others by helping to shape services with their story. We hope that with our forum relaunch we can encourage more people to make their voices heard, furthering our understanding of local issues and further helping to shape local services.

"Domestic abuse is not acceptable, not inescapable. No one should live in fear of abuse within their own home by those closest to them. By working together with our partners, our support services, by improving access to help, raising awareness of the signs and education around coercive and controlling behaviour in schools and the community, and granting survivors a safe space to make their voice heard - together we can put an end to domestic abuse."

The event will be held in the main assembly room at St Helens Town Hall, Thursday 7 December, 4pm-6pm. Travel costs can be reimbursed for survivors and those who attend with them, and children are welcome too.

To register your interest in attending please email the council's domestic abuse prevention officer, shanabegum@sthelens.gov.uk.

If you would like to speak to someone regarding domestic abuse, or require any advice and assistance, please contact Safe2Speak on 01744 743200 (each day 9am-5pm) or call the 24-hour helpline on 01925 220541.

Safe2Speak is delivered by Torus and offers support to any resident of St Helens Borough who is a victim of domestic abuse, whatever your living situation.

The service is free, confidential, supportive, informative, non-judgmental and available to anyone experiencing domestic abuse of any kind: sexual, physical, emotional, financial, psychological.

Further information can be found at safe2speak.co.uk.