The heartbreaking abduction and murder of Sarah Everard and murder of Sabina Nessa have highlighted the ongoing issue of male violence against women and girls. Many women continue to feel unsafe on the streets. Many women continue to feel unsafe in their own home.
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any age, location, income level, ethnicity, gender or sexuality. However, the majority of abuse cases are perpetrated by men towards women. On average, three women every fortnight are murdered by their partner or ex-partner in England and Wales (Office of National Statistics 2020). Victims of domestic abuse are not to blame.
Domestic abuse in South West Surrey
Domestic Abuse happens in South West Surrey. It’s probably happening in your neighbourhood. Some of it will be behind closed doors and much of it to and by people that you would not expect. Rates in our area have increased over the past few years. Many referrals are made by the Police and Social Services but we receive a significant number of self-referrals too and calls from worried friends, colleagues and family members.
If you live in the boroughs of Guildford or Waverley and are affected by Domestic Abuse, South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service is here to listen to you, believe you and support you. You can call our confidential helpline on 01483 898884 (Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm) or email swr@swsda.org.uk Remember that domestic abuse is a crime. Call 999 in an emergency.
Along with our associates in the Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership, our vision is for every adult and child experiencing domestic abuse to be seen, safe and heard and free from the harm caused by the perpetrator.
This is how we helped one of our clients, Emma:
Emma,* age 35, Waverley
Emma had been victim to a long history of physical assault and control from her then husband. He took money to buy alcohol and forced her to take drugs. In the most recent incident, he was so violent towards her that her children, who witnessed much of the abuse, called for an ambulance.
How we helped
Emma was referred to our service via the Police. Our outreach team listened to Emma and gave her ongoing emotional and practical help to support her on her journey from victim to survivor. We believed in Emma and sought assistance from a drug and alcohol agency for rehabilitation support, found housing support via Citizens Advice Waverley and worked with social services. Our dedicated team member acted as an advocate on her behalf and helped her to obtain a restraining order against her husband. Emma participated in our counselling service, helping her to build her courage and confidence and sought a place on the Freedom Programme, a course for survivors of domestic abuse to make sense of what has happened to them and recognise it’s not their fault.
Our dedicated Children’s Team supported Emma’s children, enabling them to talk about their traumatic experiences in a safe environment and share their fears and worries. When Emma met a new partner, we supported her to request a Domestic Violence Disclosure to ensure he had no history of violent behaviour. Her ex-partner is now in prison for his crimes. Emma is rebuilding her life free from abuse.
South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service provides, confidential, independent and impartial advice to anyone aged 16 or above affected by domestic abuse living in the boroughs of Waverley or Guildford. We are part of Citizens Advice Waverley and a member of Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership, a group of independent charities, working together across Surrey to ensure that survivors of domestic abuse are safe, and to build a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
*Name changed for reasons of confidentiality.
South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service contact details:
Tel 01483 898884
Email: swr@swsda.org.uk
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Citizens Advice Waverley contact details:
Tel 0808 278 7980 (freephone) to speak to an adviser
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Mole Valley contact details:
Both Dorking and Leatherhead Citizens Advice offices are currently open for appointments, please either telephone our adviceline 0800 144 8848 or email leatherhead@camv.org.uk / dorking@camv.org.uk
Contact East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services on 01737 771350 or email: support@esdas.org.uk
Surrey Domestic Abuse 9am-9pm Helpline – 01483 776822
In an emergency always dial 999
Reigate and Banstead contact details:
Phone Adviceline: 0808 278 7945 (free) to speak to an adviser (Monday – Friday 9.00 – 16.00)
Email: Use an enquiry form at https://www.carbs.org.uk/get-advice/forms/
Self help: https://www.carbs.org.uk/get-advice/on-line-here/
