Welcome to Spotlight, the podcast that shines a light on the issues around domestic abuse
In its latest podcast, SafeLives' Lucy Giles highlights the challenges that domestic abuse professionals face identifying primary perpetrators in cases of domestic abuse and dealing with counter allegations. Counter allegations, where both parties allege abuse, are a common challenge for professionals encountering domestic abuse. Prevailing misconceptions about the nature of domestic abuse and counter allegations can result in increased risk for victims and children. For example, victims may be unable to access services, risking further isolation and victimisation. They may even lose care of their children and suffer psychological impact from not being believed. Concerningly, if such cases are not identified and resolved properly, agencies' actions may inadvertently help the perpetrator to isolate and control the victim further. This podcast walks domestic abuse practitioners through SafeLives' new expert guidance.
Young people experience the highest rates of domestic abuse of any age group. Professionals working with young people are in the unique position to support them to have healthy relationships during this critical window - before they harm or are harmed. They can also be there to support and speak to a young person if they are worried about their relationship. To do this, professionals need to feel confident starting conversations about relationships. Building on our research, we have developed a resource pack for professionals to use to start conversations with young people about relationships and explore what healthy looks like. Read more: https://safelives.org.uk/voices-men-and-boys Download the resource pack: https://safelives.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/SafeLives%20Resource%20Pack%20-%20final.pdf
In this podcast we hear from SafeLives’ practice consultant Lucy Giles and Emily McCarron from Age UK discussing the effect of COVID-19 on the prevalence of elder abuse and the impact of elder abuse in general. Please note: this podcast was recorded remotely so please excuse the audio quality
In this podcast we hear from Jo Silver, Director of Innovation at SafeLives as she sits down again with Louisa Rolfe, Deputy Chief Constable of West Midlands Police to discuss what has changed a couple of months on from when lockdown started. Please note that government restrictions, social distancing and shielding guidance has changed since this podcast was recorded however, it still offers an interesting look into the Police response to COVID-19 and how they can help those who are concerned about a partner or family member’s behaviour during this time. For the most recent government guidance on covid-19, go to https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Collette Eaton-Harris speaks to Dr Jess Roy of Bristol University, about the changed risks children may be facing at home, and how social workers can safely work with them during Covid-19
Deidre from SafeLives speaks to Zoe Jackson from Aurora New Dawn, about how her team have been supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse during lockdown
Our Head of Practice, Michelle Phillips, has a chat with Sue Penna who is the Chief Creative Officer at Rockpool to discuss the psychological impact of surviving domestic abuse. Throughout, they emphasise the need for a trauma-informed approach when not only dealing with clients, but with colleagues too. Take a look at Rockpool here: https://rockpool.life/ Order your copy of the Recovery Toolkit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Recovery-Toolkit-support-journey-Domestic/dp/1838025006/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588597773&sr=1-6 Please note: this podcast was recorded remotely so please excuse the audio quality
In this podcast, SafeLives CEO Suzanne sits down with Ngozi who runs Sistah Space - a community based initiative that supports African heritage women and girls. Ngozi talks about the systemic racism she encounters while supporting her clients, and what needs to change. Find out more about Sistah Space: https://www.sistahspace.org/ Donate to their fundraiser for a post-COVID retreat for the women Sistah Space supports: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Mango-Morning-Post-Covid19-Weekend-Retreat-Appeal Donate to the service: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=sistahspace
SafeLives' Daniel Ryan speaks to Natalie Whitmore, Service Manager at West Sussex Connect, about best practice when supporting clients through COVID-19. Read more about West Sussex Connect: https://safelives.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/West_Sussex_Connect_Service_Specification.pdf
Brandy Hubbard, Practice Advisor at SafeLives, speaks to Bob Williams, Safeguarding Manager at North Yorkshire Police, about conducting multi-agency meeting remotely in order to support victims and families during COVID-19. We can support you to run multi-agency forums virtually. Email robert.williams@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or info@safelives.org.uk
Rachel Ozanne talks to Olive from Rights of Women and Ursula, a SafeLives Pioneer and co-founder of Voices, about how the family court is operating during the COVID-19 restrictions. They discuss the concerns and issues raised by survivors and also the impact family court proceedings can have. Information and support available via the links below: Legal advice: FLOWS: https://www.flows.org.uk/ Rights of Women - https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-advice/ Legal information online: Rights of Women; • Family law guides: https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-information/family-law/. • Coronavirus and child contact guide - https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-information/family-law/coronavirus-and-child-contact-arrangements/ • Coronavirus and remote hearings guide - https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-information/family-law/coronavirus-remote-hearings-in-the-family-court/ • How to write a position statement for the family court - https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-information/family-law/position-statement/ • How to appeal a family court decision - https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-information/family-law/how-to-appeal-family-court-decisions/ President of the Family Division’s guidance on child contact: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Coronavirus-public-guidance-updated-31-March.pdf Survey on remote hearings: The Transparency Project - http://www.transparencyproject.org.uk/how-are-remote-family-court-hearings-working-for-families-survey/ Domestic abuse & mental health resources / support; Find a domestic abuse service or get advice: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ Mental health resources: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/ https://beaconhouse.org.uk/covid-19-support-resources/ https://www.blurtitout.org/product-category/self-helpful/free-downloads/ https://rockpool.life/ Children and young people; https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/grown-ups/parents-and-carers/covid-19-guidance-for-children-and-families/ https://youngminds.org.uk/ https://www.themix.org.uk/
In this podcast Rachel Ozanne, Practice Advisor at SafeLives, talks to Georgia and Kathryn, SafeLives Pioneers both experienced domestic abuse in their family homes as a child. They reflected on what they think it's like for children now, what they could do, and what those around them could do if they are worried. This includes agencies, including schools, and the importance of reaching in and not being a bystander. Helplines / online support: Childline: 0800 1111 https://www.childline.org.uk/ Shout (text help): Text Shout to 85258 https://www.giveusashout.org/ The Mix: 0808 808 4994 https://www.themix.org.uk/ Hideout - Women's Aid online resources for children and young people: http://thehideout.org.uk/
In this podcast, Amy Hewitt speaks to behavioural psychologist Emily Alison, about guidance for those using abuse during the COVID-19 crisis. Respect phoneline: 0808 8024040 https://respectphoneline.org.uk/
In this podcast Lucy McDonald speaks to Assistant Chief Constable Duncan Sloan, about how police in Scotland are responding to domestic abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rachel Ozanne speaks to Ursula - survivor and SafeLives Pioneer - and Dr Alison Gregory - a researcher from Bristol University - about how family, friends and neighbours can support someone living with domestic abuse during the current lockdown.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we're speaking to survivors and professionals about the challenges they're facing due to the pandemic and the social distancing measures we are all taking. In this podcast, Jo Silver talks to Nicole Jacobs, the UK's Domestic Abuse Commissioner, about the domestic abuse sector response to the challenges of COVID-19. For more information and resources from SafeLives during the COVID-19 situation, visit our dedicated webpage: https://safelives.org.uk/news-views/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19 Survey for victim/survivors: https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=158461680526 Full list of helplines: https://safelives.org.uk/node/278. Please note, this podcast was recorded remotely so the sound quality may vary at times.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we're speaking to survivors and professionals about the challenges they're facing due to the pandemic and the social distancing measures we are all taking. In this podcast, Jo Silver speaks to DCC Louisa Rolfe of West Midlands Police about how the Police are responding to domestic abuse during this time. Please note: this podcast was recorded remotely from Jo and DCC Rolfe's homes, as we are following Government advice and working from home. We apologise for breaks in sound and diminished audio quality
Young author and YouTuber Emily Merrill joins us to talk about her novel 'Mine', which follows the story of student Avery's experience of domestic abuse at the hands of her boyfriend Luke. Follow Emily on social media: @ALittleWriterEm YouTube: alittlewriterem
In this podcast, Jo Silver talks to Rachel Williams - survivor, campaigner and SafeLives Pioneer, about what people currently living with an abuser may be feeling at this time, and some tips on how people can help to keep themselves and each other safe. For information and resources from SafeLives during the COVID-19 situation, visit our dedicated webpage: http://safelives.org.uk/news-views/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19 Please note, this podcast was recorded remotely from Jo and Rachel's homes, so the sound quality may vary at times
As part of our project gathering the voices of men and boys, Susie spoke to Godfrey about his experiences of domestic abuse. Note: this interview contains some descriptions of abusive behaviour
We're gathering the voices of men and boys, exploring relationships, masculinity and more. In this interview, Susie speaks to eleven year old Cole about what it's like to be a boy growing up today - and what sort of man he'd like to be
Michelle Phillips, Head of Practice at SafeLives, spoke to Dr Emma Katz about the significance of the relationship between the non abusive parent and their children with children's social care. Dr Emma Katz, Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Hope University, explores the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people. Her work looks at the relationship between the child and non-abusive parent in situations of coercive control, and the agency response or resistance to this. She also looks at how mothers and children support each other, both during abuse and within recovery.
As part of our project gathering the voices of men and boys around relationships, masculinity and abuse, Ruth spoke to Justin Hancock. Take our voices of men and boys survey: https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=155626547271 Justin runs www.bishuk.com, a website for over 14s about sex, love and you. His website for practitioners is www.bishtraining.com and he also co-wrote the free RSE resources at www.dorseforschools.com. In addition to all this he also works with Meg-John Barker about sex and relationships at www.megjohnandjustin.com where you can find podcasts, blogs, zines and books for a general (adult) audience.
As part of our Spotlight on parents experiencing domestic abuse, we speak to Anna Mitchell, UK Lead for Safe and Together, about the Safe and Together model and how it relates to domestic abuse and social work
Professor Gene Feder discusses his work on a new intervention, combining mental health support and domestic abuse advocacy
Amy speaks to Jessica Southgate from Agenda, about how mental health services are treating women
Brandy speaks to Dr Savin Bapir-Tardy from IKWRO, about the impact of 'honour'-based violence and abuse on women's mental health
Collette speaks to Kylee Trevellion from the Women's Mental Health department at King's College London Download a transcript: http://safelives.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Kylee%20podcast%20transcript.pdf
As part of our Spotlight on domestic abuse and mental health, Brandy speaks to Jane and Natalie from Shared Lives who, together with SafeLives are piloting an innovative which involves survivors of domestic abuse living with a Shared Lives carer
Collette, Kathryn and Shakti, who all work in the domestic abuse sector, share their experiences of mental health problems, as well as discussing childhood experiences of domestic abuse.
Maria speaks to Chief Inspector Julie Fry, of Hampshire Constabulary, about the police response to LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse
In this podcast, Collette speaks to Berkely Wild, founder and director of The Diversity Trust – a community interest company that aims to influence social change to create a fairer and safer society. Berkeley talks about how The Diversity Trust collaborated with Bristol based Next Link domestic abuse service in a year long project to improve access to domestic abuse services in the West of England for LGBT communities, and touches upon how his own lived experience of domestic abuse has made the issue important to him. Read a transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ycybfcb5
Penny met with Tara Stone, the founder and director of Be – a trans community support, development and campaigning organisation. We talked about how to ensure services and organisations are inclusive of gender diverse people, and the additional barriers faced by gender diverse people who may be experiencing abuse. Read a transcript: https://tinyurl.com/y932jose
Collette meets with Leanne from Stonewall Housing, who explains how traditional housing options for victims of domestic abuse may be difficult for LGBT Plus people to access and how, in some cases, they may leave that person at risk of further abuse. Read the transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc86sjrv
SafeLives Insights data indicates that bisexual women are particularly vulnerable when experiencing domestic abuse, especially in terms of mental health. Ruth and Collette from SafeLives sat down to discuss their experiences as bisexual women, and the difficulties that bi women face when accessing domestic abuse services.
Rise runs a specialist LGBT refuge project offering temporary accommodation, outreach and resettlement support to medium and high risk LGBT survivors of domestic abuse. Evelyn has worked as an LGBT specialist Idva and here talks about some of the potential barriers faced by lesbian and bisexual women and highlights good practice points for Idva services to adopt. Read a transcript: https://tinyurl.com/y8jdvev3
Justin Varney, National Lead for Adult Health and Wellbeing and co-author of a new report that explores, amongst other issues, talks about how domestic abuse is a serious and under-researched health issue for L,B, & T women and other women who have sex with women. Read a transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ybuzp2wy
Collette speaks to Millie and Iain from Galop, about the needs of their clients, and how they manage safety planning and risk Read a transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yd2jm42p
Over the next seven weeks we’ll be shining a spotlight on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans victims of domestic abuse. In this episode, Collette speaks to Jude, the helpline manager at Galop - the LGBT+ anti-violence charity. If you're LGBT+ and are worried about your relationship or afraid of your partner, help is available. Call 0800 999 5428 Read a transcript: https://tinyurl.com/y8jpa6qp
As part of our 16 Days Campaign, Communications Officer Ruth interviewed Deidre, a former Hospital Idva. For more content and resources from 16 Days, visit our website: http://safelives.org.uk/news-views/16days
In this episode Deidre speaks to Joan Coulton from Basis, a Yorkshire based charity working with adult women who are sex working. Joan talks about the additional barriers and challenges these women can face and how the Housing First model can help to address some of those challenges. Download a transcript: http://tinyurl.com/ycm2rnaf
As part of our Spotlight on domestic abuse and homelessness, Kelly Henderson, Business Manager (Domestic Abuse) at Gentoo, talks to us about the impact of moving or staying put on the recovery of women experiencing domestic abuse.
As part of our Spotlight on domestic abuse and homelessness, Deidre talk to Lucy Watson from Fulfilling Lives about their hopes to change the way that services come together to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse who have multiple and complex needs. For a transcript of this interview see: http://bit.ly/2y8Iccg
Judith met with Jane Anderson, Services Manager for Housing Choice in Swinton. Jane has been working in the housing sector since 1993, and has established herself as an expert on the local authority’s statutory responsibilities to victims and survivors who have been made homeless because of domestic abuse. In her interview she provides vital information and guidance for practitioners to effectively advocate for their clients when seeking housing support. Download a transcript: http://tinyurl.com/ycvvgzs7
Deidre speaks to Amanda Bloxsome, Services Manager for Threshold’s Housing First. In her interview, Amanda talks about how Theshold has used the Housing First model to successfully support women with offending histories experiencing homelessness. She also talks about how each woman’s experience of homelessness and offending history links to experiences of domestic abuse. Download the transcript: http://tinyurl.com/y9kv68w5
Deidre speaks to Aly Vernon, Chlidren’s Specialist at Survive in South Gloucestershire, about the combined effects of homelessness and domestic abuse on children. Aly and Deidre discuss what we can do as professionals to create a whole family approach to homelessness and domestic abuse for children, parents and perpetrators. Visit our Spotlight homepage for more content around domestic abuse and homelessness: http://safelives.org.uk/spotlight-5-homelessness-and-domestic-abuse Download a transcript: http://tinyurl.com/y7wsd49z
As a part of our Spotlight on homelessness and domestic abuse, Deidre has met with Aisha Sharif from Standing Together Against Domestic Violence. In her interview, Aisha talks about the pivotal role social housing providers play in identifying and responding to domestic abuse, and how the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance ensures that all housing providers can support victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Download a transcript: http://tinyurl.com/y7tw7j4d Visit our Spotlight homepage for more content around homelessness and domestic abuse: http://safelives.org.uk/spotlight-5-homelessness-and-domestic-abuse
This week Deidre has met with Dr. Lucy Allwright from Against Violence and Abuse (AVA). Lucy shares the insights she’s gained from speaking to homeless survivors of domestic abuse, and some of the vital changes that we must make to better support the women who are often hidden from services. Download a transcript: http://tinyurl.com/y9q7f4tl Visit our Spotlight homepage for more content around domestic abuse and homelessness: http://safelives.org.uk/spotlight-5-homelessness-and-domestic-abuse
As a part of our Spotlight on homelessness and domestic abuse, Deidre has met with Louisa Steele from Standing Together Against Domestic Violence. Louisa talks to Deidre about why considering multiple disadvantages is key to supporting women who have experienced domestic abuse and homelessness, and how the Housing First model offers a new way of supporting women and men who are chronically homeless. Visit this link to download a transcript: http://tinyurl.com/y9b2e7os For more content, insight and practice tips around domestic abuse and homelessness, visit our Spotlight homepage: http://safelives.org.uk/spotlight-5-homelessness-and-domestic-abuse
Ariana works for an black and minority ethnic women's organisation called Saheliya. In this podcast she looks at the connection between young people, mental health and 'honour'-based violence. We hope you find the interview and interesting and informative as we have.
Deidre met with Dr. Geetanjali Gangoli, a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Gender and Violence Research at the University of Bristol. In her interview, Dr Gangoli talks about her research for the HMIC regarding how victims and survivors of HBV and FM felt about how the police responded to them both during and after the crises that led them to contact the police. We hope you find this interview as enlightening as we have. Read the transcript: http://tinyurl.com/yat9cxle
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