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Connect: A whole picture approach to ending domestic abuse

Each year over two million people in the UK experience domestic abuse and SafeLives research finds that at the time they start school at least one child in every classroom will have been living with domestic abuse since they were born. We know that 85% of victims seek help five times of average before they get effective support, however less than 1% of perpetrators receive any form of specialist support to change or challenge their behaviour. 

Every survivor of domestic abuse, and their family, deserves the right response at the right time, to make them safe, sooner. That's why we're developing new interventions and ways of working to improve outcomes for whole families experiencing domestic abuse.

The pilot

Between November 2018 and 2020, SafeLives have been working in partnership to trial an innovative new approach to reduce inconsistencies that exist nationally in the response to domestic abuse.

Working alongside SafeLives Pioneers – survivors and experts by experience – and sector leading domestic abuse services, we have developed innovative interventions to improve outcomes for individuals and whole families experiencing domestic abuse. They are:

We have been working in two pilot sites: Norwich and West Sussex.

The interventions form a package of support, taking into account the needs of each person experiencing domestic abuse and offering a tailored response. The pilot included training and guidance for professionals, enhancing skills and supporting agencies to work together to create a culture of engagement with the people and communities they serve.

Our impact

In two years of service delivery, we have directly supported 816 victims and survivors, and reached 1,414 people though our interventions.

Connect Insights - overview

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"I never thought I would have my own place, that's mine and it's beautiful. I am so happy. I can actually do things on my own...and I don't get so overwhelmed."
Survivor

Our partners and funders

In Norwich we're delighted to be working with funding partners from the Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership (specifically Office of Police and Crime Commissioner Norfolk, Norfolk Adult Social Care, Norfolk Childrens Services, Norwich City Council, Norfolk Constabulary and Public Health Norfolk) and our service deliverers Spurgeons Children’s Charity

In West Sussex, we're delighted to be working in partnership with West Sussex County Council to fund this service and The YOU Trust, Aurora New Dawn and The Hampton Trust who haved been delivering West Sussex Connect. 

Without substantial funding from Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership, West Sussex County Council, The National Lottery Community Fund and further funding from The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Peter Cundill Foundation and The Aurum Charitable Trust, this project would not be possible.

Connect partners and funders