Safe2Speak, St Helens Domestic Abuse service, extends its support to GP surgeries thanks to extra funding from the Ministry of Justice, administered by St Helens Council’s Domestic Abuse Partnership Board.

The Safe2Speak service, which is run by Torus and commissioned by St Helens Council, employs fully trained specialists, providing support, advice and emergency accommodation for those needing to flee. The service, which employs fully trained specialists, is available to all victims in the St Helens area, not just Torus tenants.

Talking about the funding, Tanya Wilcock, Director of Communities and Chair of the Domestic Abuse Partnership Board, said:

“During a recent Domestic Abuse Needs assessment, we identified a real gap in the support we provide victims of domestic abuse within GP surgeries and Primary Care practices. We believe this funding will help close that gap and provide more people in St Helens with the support they need to live a life free from domestic abuse.

“The funding will be used to employ a Primary Care Independent Domestic Abuse Adviser (IDVA) to work with Primary Care professionals, as part of a 12-month pilot, to increase knowledge on signs of domestic abuse and the pathways available to get their patients the right help and intervention at the earliest opportunity.”

Charlotte Stenhouse, Operations Manager Supported Housing and Domestic Abuse, said:

“Domestic abuse is a public health issue with devastating health consequences for women, men and children. For many victims talking about the abuse can be difficult, but often people see GP surgeries as a safe place where they can open up and be honest about the real cause of their physical or mental health and the abuse they have been victim to.

“The role of our new Primary Care IDVA will be to make sure those individuals get the immediate help and the support they need, as well as referring to other support services providing essential support.”

The Primary Care IDVA will assist those seeking support from their GP or Primary Care practitioner with referrals to local specialist services, including creating safety plans, increasing security at their homes, exploring the option of refuge accommodation, and helping clients to make an informed choice about the criminal justice process, accessing civil legal measure and much more.

Charlotte Stenhouse continues:

“Not everyone will feel comfortable speaking of their abuse, but signs of abuse may be there. By providing GP’s and health care professionals with the knowledge of the signs to spot, and the confidence to voice their concerns if they identify domestic abuse, we hope to help more people in abusive relationships living in St Helens.”

Support for victims of domestic abuse:

For national and local and specialist domestic abuse support, visit my.torus.co.uk/domestic-abuse-support

If you, or a loved one, are a victim of domestic abuse, please reach out. If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, please call 999.