Meet the new domestic abuse service Safe in Salford

Listening, understanding, practical help and support to break the cycle of domestic abuse. Those are the commitments at the heart of the new Safe in Salford service.

Services will be based in Salford and, while the ‘single front door’ approach makes it easy to get support, safety is paramount and services for survivors and perpetrators will be kept entirely separate.

From weekly surgeries and drop-ins to groups and one-to-one help, Safe in Salford aims to provide all the support you need to stabilise your situation and break free of domestic abuse.

Advice and support sessions, often delivered by people who have lived with domestic abuse, will cover safety planning, practical, emotional, health, housing, welfare, debt and legal issues.

Independent domestic violence advocates (IDVAs) will help people get to safety and rebuild their lives with a package of support from services and organisations.

Training for all GPs in Salford will continue to help them recognise domestic abuse, and quickly refer patients to specialist support.

Support for children and young people will help them form positive, healthy relationships.

And group or one-to-one sessions with perpetrators will challenge them to address and change their behaviour.

Meet the team

Salford Foundation leads the partnership and runs the Indigo Project for women along with services for young men and young women to help them escape abuse.

The Pankhurst trust supports 2,500 survivors every year and provides training to more than 3,000 professionals, organisations and people every year. It specialises in prevention, early intervention, community and accommodation-based services for adults and children.

TDAS has been working in Salford since April 2020, supporting families and training professionals. Its Harbour service works with children aged five to 18 who have experienced domestic abuse and TDAS supports children and families after separation from their abuser.

TLC: Talk, Listen Change delivers successful perpetrator behaviour change programmes in Salford and across Greater Manchester as well as counselling and support for partners of abusers and children.

Some of the people helped by Salford Foundation and TDAS. It’s never too late to reach out for help. All names have been changed

Tanika’s back in control

Tanika’s life looked perfect. She and her husband both had good jobs, they had a nice home and two lovely children. But Tanika had suffered domestic abuse for most of her married life and was worried her sons would copy their abusive father.

Her culture, which discouraged women from disclosing problems, made it hard for her to speak up but she talked to a health professional who referred her to Salford Foundation’s Indigo Project.

A year later and Tanika and her sons are happy and thriving in their new home. The Project helped her with accommodation, financial and legal support and gave her the inner strength to break free of past manipulation.

“I felt empowered, that I could take back control of my life and this would never happen to me again,” she said.

Elliot is no longer afraid

Nine-year-old Elliot no longer felt safe at home because of his mother’s abusive partner who timed her every move, took her bank card and isolated her from everyone, including her neighbours.

He bullied and threatened Elliot too so when Elliott told his teachers, staff from the Harbour project began working with him to help him understand how to stay safe and cope with the situation.

Elliot’s mum has now left the relationship and they have no contact with the abuser. Elliot now says he feels safe in his own home.

Lily has a new life

Seventeen-year-old Lily sought help from Harbour after an arson attack by her ex-partner’s gang left her and her mother homeless.

While Lily wanted to move away from the harassment and another abusive boyfriend, she was worried about her mum’s safety.

Independent domestic violence advisor Sarah worked with Lily to change her life. Sarah helped Lily and her mum find emergency accommodation, manage risks in her life and develop ways to cope with the stresses and strains.

She supported Lily with the prosecution of her exboyfriend, helped her complete the GCSEs she had missed at school and go on to an apprenticeship.

“I am really lucky I had you. You change lives,” Lily told Sarah.

Get the help you need

If you need help urgently or are in any danger, please call 999.

Safe in Salford staff are available Monday to Friday

9am to 5pm on 0161 793 3232 or email info@safeinsalford.org.uk

They aim to respond to phone messages within 24 hours and emails within 72 hours.

You can call the national domestic abuse helpline freeat any time on 0800 2000 247 or visit www.salford.gov.uk/domesticabuse

for details of a wide range of support.