Domestic Abuse Act 2021
WHAT IS THE NEW ACT?
The UK Government through the Home Office, passed the Domestic Abuse Act in April 2021, primarily for England and Wales but with provision for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
There are several reforms, with measures coming into force during 2022.
The key aim is to “raise awareness and understanding about the devastating impact of domestic abuse on victims and their families”.
This call to action: support and protection for victims is crucial, involving recognition of the abuse and there is an increased focus on bringing perpetrators to justice.
As of May 2022, the statutory guidance for the Act is in draft form but recognition and discussion of the health impacts of abuse is unlikely to change significantly.
The impacts of the Act may be immediately apparent to GPs but is a change in conceptualising domestic abuse (DA) and safeguarding within government and commissioners of all services and agencies will be asked to consider DA as a strategic priority.
Click on image below for interactive version
Coventry Domestic Violence Services
For a summary of services see table below, including:
- Community-based support for victims (including support for children affected by domestic abuse) – run by Haven working in partnership with Panaghgar and C&W Relate
- Perpetrator service – run by C&W Relate in partnership with Panaghgar and Haven
- Supported accommodation for victims – this is run by Valley House
The Haven helpline does not operate 24/7 – however the Valley House accommodation service is always open and staff on hand (to take emergency referrals from victims fleeing Domestic Violence).
Coventry Guidance 
Clare’s Law -The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme
Click on image below for link to printable download
One Minute Domestic Abuse Guide
Click on image below for link to printable download
Coventry Haven
Aim is to help women and their children who have experienced or are experiencing, domestic abuse in any form to free themselves from the situation they are in.
By providing safe housing and a range of support services, before during and after leaving their abusive relationship.
Supporting all women irrespective of whether they want to leave the relationship or not, older women, younger women, historic or current abuse; any woman.
Assistance with any other issues alongside abuse, eg: immigration, discrimination, disability, LGBT, housing, debt management, alcohol and drug abuse, multiple needs, or no recourse to public funds (NRPF).
Services are run by staff and volunteers free of charge.
All staff are female
Provide quality services to any woman experiencing any form of domestic violence and abuse including Forced Marriage, Honour Based Abuse (FM/HBA) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
You should not have to live in fear of the person you love follow link here
Coventry Haven Services:
- Helpline – support, signposting, advice and information 02476 444077 (Monday – Friday 9am-4.30pm)
- The Listening Post – Our “women only” Centre and Drop-in – Open Access 10am-2pm Monday and Wednesday (no appointment or referral needed)
- Community and Advocacy Support – working within the local community
- IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) – for help with criminal and civil legal support
- Refuge – 24 hour access to safe accommodation / emergency bed space
- FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) – support, information and awareness raising
- FM/HBA (Forced Marriage/Honour Based Abuse) – support, information and awareness raising
- Support & training for GP’s & staff Please contact Hayley here
- DVPP (Domestic Violence Perpetrators Programme) – Independent Support Service for women and children who’s partners are attending the Perpetrators Programme
- Just4Me – peer support, activity based groups held in the community
- DVA (Domestic Violence Awareness) – programme of support
- Training and Awareness sessions offered to employers and professionals in health, social care and education, police, schools (both teachers and pupils), colleges, universities, GP’s, hospitals
- Legal Advice – local solicitors offer a weekly legal ‘surgery’ at the Listening Post
- Counselling – professional counsellors offer weekly sessions
- Refuge link
- Emotional & practical support link
- Drop in link
- Just 4 me link
- Forced marriage & Honour based abuse link
- Female genital mutilation FGM link
Contact details:
In an emergency, please call 999.
If you are in urgent need of refuge outside of our office hours, please call the Emergency Duty Team on 02476 832 222.
Women’s Aid Helpline (freephone 24 hr) 0808 2000 247.
For any advice or support, or to make an appointment to come in and see us, please call 02476 444 077 between 9.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, or you can drop in to see us during those times, if that is easier for you.
Coventry Haven
Listening Post, 22 Marlborough Road, Coventry CV2 4EP Telephone: 02476 444 077
E-Mail: info@coventryhaven.co.uk
Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC)
CRASAC offers free and confidential support and information to anyone from the age of 5 who has been affected by sexual violence.
For more information, please visit the CRASAC GP Gateway page
Safeguarding Adults
For information regarding Safeguarding Adults please the linked GP Gateway page Adult & Children Safeguarding (Coventry) – GP Gateway
Rugby & South Warwickshire Guidance
Refuge’s Domestic Violence and Abuse Service Warwickshire – 0800 408 1552 (Helpline)
Operates Monday to Friday 08:30 – 20:30.
Refuge offers support to anyone in Warwickshire, regardless of gender, who is experiencing domestic abuse of any kind.
Refuge’s regional Domestic Violence and Abuse Service can support survivors are their children to keep safe.
Our local service offers:
- Single point of contact / helpline
- Refuge accommodation for those fleeing domestic abuse and in need of a safe place to stay, including ‘dispersed’ accommodation for those who may experience barriers to accessing other refuge accommodation
- Outreach and Independent domestic violence advocates (IDVAs) support to meet anyone experiencing domestic abuse where they are — at home, or at a safe place in the community — to provide confidential support.
- A group programme for women focusing on the dynamics of domestic abuse
- Specialist Children Support services for children impacted by domestic abuse.
- Training to professionals, including primary and secondary health services
The Warwickshire Domestic Violence and Abuse Service can be contacted by the public or professionals on:
Tel: 0800 408 1552 Email: DVSW@refuge.org.uk
Further support can be accessed via: https://www.talk2someone.org.uk/
Please visit the Refuge in Warwickshire webpage for more information, and to access training contact Refuge on dvsw@refuge.org.uk
Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is a partnership between Warwickshire County Cuncil, Warwickshire Police, National Health Service (NHS) and other key partner agencies working together to safeguard children, young people and adults.
Please visit the Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Website at Child safeguarding procedures – for professionals: Before calling with a safeguarding concern – Warwickshire County Council for further details
Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) – Blue Sky Centre
A Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) is a single location where any victim of Rape or Serious Assault will receive medical care, intervention (if you choose to report the crime) and various other support services.
Please visit the following link for more information on the Blue Sky Centre – Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Warwickshire against domestic abuse
Useful web-based resources for those who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse.
Please visit Talk2Someone Warwickshire for resources and further information.
DiAmond – Warwickshire – Listening Ear is a specialist counselling service for adults, children and young people affected by domestic abuse. It requires GP or other partner agency referral.
Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)
Refuge also works with the local multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC) team to share information, as appropriate, with statutory and voluntary agencies in relation to high risk cases of domestic violence.
What is the MARAC?
The MARAC is a monthly multi-agency risk assessment conference which reviews the safety of victims of domestic abuse identified as being at high risk. At the conference risks are identified and safety actions are taken by the appropriate agencies.
Referrals and further information:
Referrals to the MARAC can be made, and are encouraged, by any agency which identifies a victim of domestic abuse as being high risk. The formal risk identification tool (DASH) should be completed by the referring agency and then sent to the MARAC coordinator via email:
warwickshire.maracreferrals@refuge.cjsm.net
If the referrer does not have a secure email, then the referrer should ring the MARAC coordinator on 0800 408 1552 for support and information or email:
warwickshiremaracreferrals@refuge.org.uk
Who can access our services?
- Women and men experiencing domestic violence in Warwickshire: Nuneaton and Bedworth; North Warwickshire; Rugby; Warwick District; Stratford Upon Avon
- Everyone – clients who are black or from minority ethnic backgrounds, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning or intersex
In an emergency always call 999.
Active
For review soon
Invalid notification
North Warwickshire
South Warwickshire
Leave feedback
You must be logged in to post a comment.