Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Service
You are not alone, together we can foster healing and strength.
The UK Government defines domestic violence and abuse as:
« Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.”
“The Government definition includes so-called “honour” based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage”.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-definition-of-domestic-violence
Types of Domestic Violence:
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse
Physical abuse
Psychological abuse
Financial abuse
Not allowing you to practice your religion
Forced marriage
FGM or female genital mutilation
Who We Can Help
Recognising the signs
If you are unsure about your relationship and you feel unsafe, please give us a call.
Our team of professionals will help you in identifying whether your relationship is unhealthy. However, recognising some early signs of an unhealthy relationship can save your life.
The list below is non-exhaustive, but it may help in identifying signs of domestic or sexual abuse:
- Bruises on the body
- Weight loss
- Social withdrawal
- Erratic or extreme jealous behaviour (checking the other partner at their workplace, stalking…)
- Disinclined to engage in conversation
- Showing anxiety when thinking of going back home
- Being afraid of your partner
- False accusations
- Partner is intimate with you without your consent
- Partner abandons you in a place you don’t know
The CAHN DVSA service offers a compassionate and culturally sensitive domestic abuse service for African and Caribbean individuals, recognising the deep complexities surrounding the issue of abuse. We understand that domestic violence is sometimes compounded by factors like systemic racism, cultural stigmas, and generational trauma, and we are dedicated to meeting the unique needs of survivors with respect and empathy.
We are privileged to have staff members who understand the cultural backgrounds and lived experiences of those we serve. This connection fosters trust and ensures that every survivor feels truly validated and understood.
We provide a range of services, all designed not just to address immediate crises, but also to help heal the long-term impact of abuse:
Our services
- Free and confidential one-to-one support
- Safety planning – a person-centred approach for keeping victims safe during or after an abusive situation.
- Advocacy support (housing, reporting, finance, employment, education, etc)
- Coordinate with support services by signposting, and referrals to relevant organisations or agencies, such as MARAC
- Preventative approach: educational webinars with expert speakers
Trauma-informed Counselling Service – in-house counselling service (https://www.cahn.org.uk/counselling-service/ ), - We also recognise the power of community and offer educational programs and platforms (survivor’s panel – https://www.cahn.org.uk/victims-voice-project/ ) that create a safe space for survivors to share their journeys and find solidarity with one another.
By integrating cultural awareness into every facet of our care, we strive to break down barriers to seeking help, such as fear of judgment, mistrust of institutions, and stigma within the community. Our ultimate goal is to empower survivors to heal and rebuild their lives with dignity while acknowledging the immense resilience that embodies the survivor’s experience.
How to Make a Silent 999 Call
If calling from a mobile device
Dial 999, then press 55 and make a sound. You will be transferred to the police
If calling from a landline
Dial 999, “if the operator can only hear background noise and cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, you will be connected to a police call handler.
If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick up again.” (learn more by visiting www.gov.uk)
How to use the service efficiently
Going The Extra Mile
The Survivor’s Panel
The Empowered Voices Panel (formerly known as the Victim’s Voice Panel) is a dynamic and impactful initiative that amplifies the lived experiences of domestic abuse survivors, transforming their stories into powerful tools for education, advocacy, and systemic change. The panel is made up of diverse members who have experienced abuse and are committed to using their voices to inspire hope, raise awareness, and advocate for meaningful action within communities, organisations, and policy-making circles.
Activities of the Empowered Voices Panel include:
- Policy Advocacy: Members provide testimony to the Manchester City Council Domestic Abuse team, contribute to policy discussions, and engage with advocacy groups to influence laws and practices that impact domestic abuse survivors.
- Awareness Campaigns: Panellists collaborate on public awareness initiatives, including media interviews, social media campaigns, and events, to challenge myths about abuse, reduce stigma, and encourage survivors to seek support.
- Speaking Engagements: Members participate in community forums, conferences, and training sessions for professionals such as social workers, law enforcement, and healthcare providers. They share their personal stories to highlight the realities of domestic abuse, and the barriers survivors often face.
- Empowerment, Mentorship and Support: The panel offers a peer support element, with members mentoring other survivors or participating in group discussions to foster empowerment and resilience. In doing so, they also empower other victims in the community to seek support.
- Training and Development: Members receive ongoing training to enhance their public speaking, advocacy, and storytelling skills, ensuring they can effectively communicate their messages to varied audiences.
Through these activities, the Empowered Voices Panel not only empowers its members but also drives social change, fostering a deeper understanding of domestic abuse and encouraging proactive measures to support survivors and prevent future violence.
Why our DVSA Service is Unique
Creating a culturally appropriate domestic abuse service involves understanding and addressing the unique experiences and barriers faced by survivors. Here are the specifics to consider:
- Cultural Sensitivity: Our staff are equipped with cultural awareness and anti-racism practices to ensure they understand the diverse cultures, traditions, and experiences of our service users.
- Intersectionality: We recognise how factors like race, gender, immigration status, socioeconomic status, and religion intersect and impact the experience of domestic abuse for people in our community.
- Collaboration with VCSE and statutory organisations: this collaboration is key to providing holistic support to victims by signposting when necessary.
- Language Support: We offer multilingual services and materials to address linguistic diversity within the communities.
- Safe Spaces: We create environments that are welcoming and reflect the cultural identity of service users (e.g., decor, literature, staff diversity).
- Flexible Access Points: We provide support via local community centers, online platforms, and home visits to reach those unable to access traditional services.
- Counselling Service: We use culturally informed therapeutic models to address trauma in culturally resonant ways.
- No Recourse to Public Fund: We assist those facing immigration-related barriers, including support for people with no recourse to public funds.
- Culturally Specific Campaigns: We run awareness campaigns addressing domestic abuse in ways that resonate with minoritised communities, including using relatable scenarios and culturally appropriate language.
- Workshops and Training: We educate community leaders, faith-based organisations, and families to recognise and respond to abuse.
- Non-Judgmental Support: We recognise the stigma that minoritised people may face in their communities around disclosing abuse and ensure our service is confidential.
- Feedback Mechanisms: We create channels for continuous feedback from service users to improve and adapt our services.
OTHER DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICES
Greater Manchester |
Home | tdas | Trafford Domestic Abuse Services | Stretford, Manchester |
Services in London |
(click on this link to find out about more services in London) |
UK WIDE |
ManKind Initiative – Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse |
Working to end Honour-Based Abuse in the UK |
Domestic abuse perpetrator programmes. |
We use data and success stories to demonstrate the impact and advocate for continued support.
By addressing these specifics, our domestic abuse service effectively caters to the needs of our community, ensuring safety, empowerment, and long-term well-being.
Our referral pathway is as follows:
Weblink – https://portal.cahn.org.uk/dsvsupport
Email – dvsa@cahn.org.uk
Confidential Phone line/chat – 07853 984 563
#WeCAHNHelp
For more information, please contact the Head of Department, Sandy Koujou via email: sandy@cahn.org.uk
DISCLAIMER
Our service is dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. While we strive to ensure confidentiality and safety, please note that electronic communications (such as emails or online chats) may not be entirely secure.
If you are in immediate danger, please call emergency services or a trusted crisis hotline. Your safety is our top priority.
Please see your GP/attend your local A&E Dept if you feel you need help urgently.
All information provided to us will be stored in a safe place and used as the basis for providing support for the person referred.
Interpreters are available for this service if language barriers are an issue.
CASE STUDY
Topic: Domestic Violence
To maintain confidentiality, the name of the service user has been changed to a fictitious one.
Situation Coming in
Layla found herself in a distressing and complex situation involving domestic violence, criminal charges, and family issues. Unfortunately, the situation was further complicated because the perpetrator had cunningly portrayed himself as the victim. Layla had endured a history of abuse but had been reluctant to come forward due to concerns tied to her immigration status. The perpetrator had been detained on multiple occasions previously but was repeatedly released because Layla was hesitant to pursue the case, fearing that her visa was dependent on the perpetrator’s fate.
Intervention Undertaken
Layla was in dire need of an organisation that could comprehend the intricacies of her immigration situation while also acknowledging the cultural factors at play, such as the fear of shame from her community for pressing charges against her partner/perpetrator. Layla had not seen her child for a year, had lost her job due to the perpetrator disclosing the ongoing criminal case, and was residing in a refuge with a newborn baby. She was terrified to officially register the child, as she feared the perpetrator might attempt to gain custody.
CAHN stepped in and referred Layla to their culturally sensitive counselling service to provide emotional support. We then initiated a comprehensive intervention that included liaising with the Home Office to clarify the visa situation with the perpetrator. CAHN approached this sensitive issue with cultural appropriateness when discussing it with the client. We accompanied the client to hearings and worked closely with her solicitors for both criminal and family matters, ensuring no critical information was missed due to Layla’s understandable distress. The CAHN Advocacy team also collaborated with the child’s guardian and the client’s support worker.
As a result of CAHN’s involvement, previously undisclosed information came to light, significantly bolstering the client’s case. This led to the dismissal of the criminal charges against her. The following week, Layla regained custody of her child.
Situation Now
With the initial hurdles overcome, the focus now shifted towards helping the client and her child rebuild their lives. Layla needed to reintegrate with her child and officially register her newborn. Furthermore, she received support in reclaiming her job, which was a particularly uplifting development.
Building upon the success achieved thus far, CAHN continued to assist Layla by liaising with the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Home Office. Consequently, Layla was granted indefinite leave to remain, providing her with a more stable immigration status. CAHN also supported the client in securing housing, enabling her to bid for available housing opportunities, and after 6 months Layla and her children were able to move into their brand-new home.
This remarkable outcome was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various agencies, including CAHN, the support worker from the refuge, the Home Office, solicitors, and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Client Feedback: “I’m immensely grateful for the services I have received so far. Please continue doing what you are doing. The staff are incredibly welcoming, always ready to listen to my problems, and they consistently provide solutions.” The client’s feedback reflects the invaluable support and understanding she received from CAHN throughout her challenging journey.
You can also share further information or feedback anonymously via the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/
