Together we can do so much

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

Here at SafeLives, we don’t do anything on our own. Everything we do is with other people and other organisations who are just as passionate about ending domestic abuse as we are – and who are just as impatient to get it right first time, for every victim and every family.

Our job is to find out what works to stop domestic abuse – whether that be about how we spot it early, how we help different groups of victims or how we shape systems locally. When we find something that we think could make many more victims safe, we take it, test it, refine it and write it up. Then we create all the training and guidance that you need to start doing it tomorrow.   

That’s what we did over the last ten years with the Dash risk assessment checklist, with Idvas, and with Maracs. And that’s what we’re going to do again as SafeLives in the next ten.

It also holds true in what we recommend. At the heart of our approach is co-ordination – the idea that all the agencies responsible for keeping victims and children safe must work together, so no-one falls through the gaps.

So everything we do is in partnership. Our partners on the frontline test the ideas alongside us, and come to us for ideas about how to up their game. Our partners in local government, healthcare and the police rely on us to recommend how we all work together – and for an honest opinion when they’re not doing enough. And our national partners look to us to help set the policy and funding frameworks to help us end domestic abuse. Read more about our partners.

So it was wonderful to get so many supportive messages about our new name yesterday. Here’s a selection:

The home secretary, Theresa May MP:

“Domestic violence and abuse shatters lives. I commend the work SafeLives has done over the last 10 years to highlight this appalling crime and am proud to have worked with them on improving the support and coordinated protection available to victims of domestic abuse through the establishment of Idvas and Maracs. It is extremely encouraging that 60 per cent of victims report no further violence following intervention by an Idva.

“Their work to make sure victims are identified as early as possible, and that they and their children are supported to live in safety, has been vital in the ongoing campaign to end violence against women and girls."

The shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper MP:

“I send my very best wishes to SafeLives. The work they have done over the last decade has made such a difference in transforming the response to domestic abuse, ensuring better and more coordinated support and ultimately, changing lives.

“Labour is determined to ensure tackling violence against women and girls is at the very heart of Government and I look forward to continuing to work with SafeLives to make that happen and to end the scourge of domestic abuse.”