Domestic Abuse Survivors' Forum
The Domestic Abuse Survivors Forum is a place for survivors of domestic abuse to come together to help transform local services.
As a local authority we have a duty to work in partnership with victims and survivors of domestic abuse and ensure their voices are heard. Sharing your views, ideas, experiences will help us to improve services. So, if you have experienced domestic abuse of any kind, we would like to hear from you.
There are a number of ways to get involved.
- In person at the Survivors Forum meetings
- Through email in confidence
- A call via Microsoft Teams or Zoom
- A 1-2-1 meeting (for those who have access barriers)
Survivors Forum Meetings
In person meetings will take place every two months where you will meet other survivors. This forum is open to everyone who has been subjected to domestic abuse, whether it is recent or historic.
No two experiences are the same so we will ensure that your voice is heard, and keep you informed of the changes that have been made as a result of your contribution.
We will cover your travel expenses and provide refreshments.
Your safety is important, so we always carry out a risk assessment first, before in person meetings.
Emailing Your Views
Your story matters, the information you share will be kept confidential, and will be anonyms to help with making systems, policy, and practice changes. If you do not want your information to be anonymous this will also be respected to, as we understand every survivor is on their own journey and we empower you to make informed decisions.
Email our Domestic Abuse Prevention Officer shanabegum@sthelen.gov.uk
Request an Online Meeting
Email our Domestic Abuse Prevention Officer shanabegum@sthelen.gov.uk
Request a 1-2-1 Meeting
For survivors who are passionate to contribute, however are not confident to make the Survivors Forum in-person meetings. We will do our best to meet you discreetly in a public place, to ensure that your voice isn't left behind.
Please email our Domestic Abuse Prevention Officer; shanabegum@sthelens.gov.uk
What We Have Achieved So Far
Since the launch of the Survivors Forum October 2021 we have achieved the following;
| Subject | Domestic Violence Prevention Officer Update | Action/ Involvement | Progress Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early intervention in schools | Schools have been contacted and are happy to invite the Survivors Forum in, to share lived experience and how to spot signs of domestic abuse as part of Healthy Relationships | Check Healthy Relationship training in schools. Liaise with Education/ Schools department | Schools/ Education settings attended: Penkford Ongoing training to Governors |
| Education around domestic abuse and controlling & coercive behaviour | Move away from campaigns around physical abuse, instead schedule more Voices Against Domestic Abuse (VADA) training | Work with council Communications Team to promote training opportunities. Give reasonable advance notice of training. Target local community groups. | Campaign is in discussion with Arts and Libraries department. It is hoped to progress a similar campaign to Manchester City Council, Human Library Arts Exhibition 'I Am'. Several internal VADA training opportunities run for council employees. |
| Police conduct towards victims | Develop best practice guidance for police by establishing a working group. | Contact made with St Helens/ Merseyside Police Communications Team | Digital resource to be created by Survivors Forum with support from council Communications Team, rather than guidance paper. Ongoing work with Merseyside Police to improve victims experience of the justice system. |
| Childhood Experience of domestic abuse | Local community groups willing to help promote | Case studies to be used, adults speaking of their experiences as children, and how this impacts them as adults. | Ongoing. |
| Family courts | Lack of domestic abuse awareness/ training in courts | Train courts on domestic abuse. | Solicitor firm and Safelives to help with training. |
| Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence & Abuse (CAPVA) | No provision in St Helens | Scope out programmes and services available. | Details of programmes and services have been shared with Children's Social Care (Inspiring Families Programme). |
| NHS have a lack of understanding around domestic abuse impact on the whole family | Highlight the current culture pathology rather than trauma-informed | Develop best practice guidance and existing training opportunities. | Ongoing. |
| Social workers need to be more trauma-informed | Meeting with Children's Social Care to seek agreement for introduction of a new working model | Look at available training opportunities for social workers. Introduce new policy/ model (Safe & Together model). | Several VADA training dates have been held for social workers and other departments within the council. |
| Court Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) | Commissioning of a Court Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate, to help victims through the court system, both criminal and civil. | New role to be created within the current Safe2Speak IDVA Team. | Person now in role (August 2023) |
With your story, your voice, we can achieve so much more.
Thank you, and we looking forward from hearing from you.
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