Outreach services

Our outreach services work with abused women in their homes or when they move from a refuge into a new community.

We understand that for many reasons women stay at home rather than go into a refuge. And we know how hard it can be to move out of a refuge and into a new community.

Women and children experiencing domestic violence need a range of services to meet their needs. What works for one woman may not be appropriate for the next. That is why our outreach services are so important in increasing the alternatives available to a woman.

Trained support staff provide a confidential service to help women understand their options and make decisions about their life. Staff will not judge women and will always respect their choices.

Marie contacted our East Sussex Domestic Violence Outreach service in 2003, this is her story.

Who does the outreach service help?

All women and children who are experiencing, or have recently experienced, domestic violence can contact us. In South London we offer community based projects for Vietnamese, Asian, Somalian and Turkish women. We also provide a service specifically for South Asian women.

We help abused women take control of their own life and decisions.

What does the outreach service do?

Each woman has a key worker who meets her weekly to help with:

• Safety planning.
• Building self confidence and independence.
• Advice on housing rights and responsibilities.
• Welfare rights and legal support.
• Accompanying to court.
• Assistance when applying for DSS grants and loans.
• Help with budgeting, paying bills and debts.
• Resettlement skills, such as shopping and cooking.
• Assistance in finding work, paid or unpaid, or getting the right training.
• Referrals to other relevant agencies.

How to get in touch

Women experiencing domestic violence can get in touch with us by calling the Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline. Women are also referred to us from other agencies.