Domestic Violence &
Abuse services

You could try to gain some protection from your abuser by applying for a civil injunction or protection order. An injunction is a court order that requires someone to do or not to do something.

There are two main types of injunctions available under Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996:

• A non-molestation order
• An occupation order

A non-molestation order is aimed at preventing your partner or ex-partner from using or threatening violence against you or your child, or intimidating, harassing or pestering you, in order to ensure the health, safety and well-being of yourself and your children.

An occupation order regulates who can live in the family home, and can also restrict your abuser from entering the surrounding area. If you do not feel safe continuing to live with your partner, or if you have left home because of violence, but want to return and exclude your abuser, you may want to apply for an occupation order.

MARAC stands for Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference. It is a regular meeting where workers from different agencies (include IDVAs, police, probation services, NHS, schools, and social services) discuss the wellbeing of women and their children identified as at high risk of serious harm from domestic violence. MARACs co-operate on safety and support planning to reduce the risk of people becoming repeat victims.

If you are referred to a MARAC, you will usually be consulted and your confidentiality is respected. You will not need to attend meetings, your IDVA will be your representative ensuring that your voice is heard and feeding back to you about the support other agencies are offering.

Following intervention by a MARAC and an IDVA service, up to 60% of domestic abuse victims report no further violence.

If you would like to read more, you can find lots of practical information and guidance in Women’s Aid’s Survivor’s Handbook

If you do not feel safe in your home, please call our 24-hour number on 0121 552 6448. We will try to find you a refuge space in Sandwell and if we cannot find you a space in our own refuges we will support you to find safe accommodation elsewhere.

We will talk to you about your needs and those of your children, in order to try to find the best space for you. The things we will need to know include what has happened, the area that you are at risk in, (where the perpetrator and their family live), any access or support needs you have, and anything else which helps us to understand what you need to be safe and secure.

We understand that often survivors have to leave their homes in a hurry and are not able to bring many things with them. We will help you by providing toiletries and a food parcel when you arrive in refuge, and we can also help you to get clothes and other items that you might need.

If you can, please try to bring the following things with you when you leave your home:

• Identification and birth certificates for you and your children;
• School and medical records;
• Money, bankbooks, cheque book and credit and debit cards;
• Keys for your house, car, and workplace;
• Driving licence (if you have one) and car registration documents;
• Prescribed medication, and vitamin supplements;
• Cards or payment books for any welfare benefits you are entitled to;
• Passports, visas and work permits of you have these;
• Copies of documents relating to your housing (eg mortgage details or lease and rental agreements);
• Current unpaid bills;
• Insurance documents;
• Address book, family photographs, your diary, jewellery, small items of sentimental value;
• Clothing and toiletries for you and your children;
• Your children’s favourite small toys.

Our refuge accommodation includes a range of options and we will try to find a place that best meets your needs and the needs of your children.  We have a large purpose-built refuge for women and children where each family has their own flat, with shared facilities including a lounge, playroom, garden and laundry. We also have safe-houses dispersed in the community where you could live more independently. We have accommodation that is accessible for people with disabilities or access needs.

In our refuge, residents enjoy a range of positive activities that include parties, trips and courses for both adults and children so that you can relax, learn new skills, and spend time with others who have had similar experiences. However while you stay with us you can be as sociable or as quiet as you want to.

Refuge is a confidential space and everyone staying there needs to agree to keep the address secret to ensure the safety of all. However we do bring in visiting professionals such as health visitors, carers, children’s workers and other services that people staying with us might need.

We will listen to you, respect your decisions, and give you time, space and support.  Within our refuges we can provide:

• One to one emotional support, with time and space to come to terms with what has happened and how it may have affected you;
• Support planning and safety planning tailored to your needs to help you plan your next steps;
• Assistance with legal issues, such as civil and criminal cases, and child custody issues;
• Support and advocacy with housing and setting up your new home or tenancy when you leave us;
• Support to access welfare benefits, education, training and employment;
• Culturally sensitive, multi lingual support including immigration advocacy and access to other agencies;
• Access to counselling if you need it;
• Support and advocacy with any statutory agencies that you are working with such as Children’s Social Care;
• Group work and activities include ESOL courses, confidence building, and the Power to Change;
• Referrals and signposting to other services that you might need such as legal services, community organisations, health and wellbeing services;

Children are very welcome at our refuges, and we will support both you and your children to take time and space to come to terms with what has happened. Living with abuse can affect both you and your children in different ways, so we will help you to identify any needs you might have, and support you to meet these such as offering parenting support or therapeutic work.

We run family activities to help you spend time having fun with your children and look at communication and relationship building. We can also help you to find local school places for your children and build links with other organisations that have a role in children’s lives.