Domestic abuse

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Domestic abuse support services in Herefordshire

West Mercia Women’s Aid

West Mercia Women’s Aid is a well-established, specialist domestic abuse provider based in Herefordshire. Support includes:

  • 24 hour helpline, group recovery programmes and IDVA services for victims of domestic abuse, including children and young people
  • Refuge accommodation (women and children only) and dispersed refuge accommodation with support (available to male or female victims, their children and pets)
  • More information available on the West Mercia Women's Aid website

Referrals can be made via the online form available on the website or via the Helpline: 0800 783 1359.

Stonewater Domestic Abuse Floating Support

Stonewater is a Registered Provider of Social Housing with experience of running a range of specialist domestic abuse services across the country. Stonewater's floating support service has recently been expanded and now offers:

  • Support to victims of domestic abuse living across Herefordshire, regardless of their housing tenure
  • Practical and emotional support, safety planning advice, and information and guidance

Please email herefordfs@stonewater.org for more information about this service and the support on offer.

Domestic Abuse Support for Men and Boys in Herefordshire

Cranstoun have been commissioned to deliver a floating support service to male victims of domestic abuse across Herefordshire. They offer:

  • Practical safety planning advice and emotional support
  • Ongoing personalised support in order to assist individuals to increase their safety and improve their health and wellbeing outcomes.

More details and a self-referral form are on the Cranstoun website: Herefordshire Male Victims Service - Cranstoun

Lived Experience Advisory Group

West Mercia Women’s Aid have been commissioned to continue to work with people with lived experience of domestic abuse to gain their views on local services and support. This project enables women, men and children with lived experience of domestic abuse to inform and influence local strategies and commissioned services. This project was established during 2023 in partnership with Worcestershire County Council and is supported by 50 people with lived experience of domestic abuse who offer their time and experiences as volunteers. Find out more about the Lived Experience project.

IRIS Programme

IRIS is a collaboration between primary care and West Mercia Women’s Aid in Herefordshire that aims to improve the GP response to domestic abuse and improve the safety, quality of life and wellbeing of victim-survivors of domestic abuse.  The IRIS programme includes ongoing training, education and consultancy for GP clinical teams and admin staff, care pathways for primary health care practitioners and an enhanced referral pathway to specialist domestic violence services for patients with experience of domestic abuse. The IRIS programme is an evidence-based, effective and cost-effective intervention to improve the primary care response to domestic abuse and is nationally recognised.   

The IRIS programme in Herefordshire is now up and running, having secured Home Office funding via a whole health mapping process undertaken by Standing Together, for an initial period of 12 months. The project is being co-ordinated by West Mercia Women’s Aid and health colleagues. For more information about IRIS please contact WMWA.

Sanctuary Scheme

The aim of the Sanctuary Scheme is to ensure that victim-survivors of domestic abuse can stay in their own home through the installation of target hardening measures to improve security. The Scheme is available to those assessed as high risk and is available regardless of tenure.

Sanctuary measures can prevent homelessness, reduce the need for other forms of safe accommodation such as refuge, bring continuity for children in relation to education and ensure that established social and family networks continue. A new partnership has been formed between West Mercia Police and the Councils You at Home Team, who are now undertaking the installation of Sanctuary measures across Herefordshire. Referrals to the scheme are made through West Mercia Police. 

What is domestic abuse?

The Domestic Abuse Act came into force in April 2021. It introduced significant measures to provide improved responses for adult and children who are survivors of domestic abuse. In Herefordshire, we are committed to addressing all forms of domestic abuse and providing support to survivors.

Domestic abuse is defined as: “Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.”

This abuse can be, but is not limited to:

  • Psychological
  • Physical
  • Sexual
  • Financial
  • Emotional

If you, or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse then it is important you report it as soon as possible. 

If you are suffering from domestic abuse remember:

  • Domestic abuse can affect anyone
  • You are not to blame
  • You are not alone
  • There are specialist services that can help you

Get help and advice

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme - Clare's Law

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme also known as "Clare's Law" enables the police to disclose information to a victim or potential victim of domestic abuse about their partner's or ex-partner's previous abusive or violent offending. For more information and to make a request for information visit the West Mercia Police website.

Domestic abuse guidance and training for practitioners

Domestic violence and abuse guidance from Herefordshire Safeguarding Boards

Training for practitioners

We offer a wide range of domestic abuse training for professionals. We also hold a monthly ‘Tackling domestic abuse network’ meeting to share information about the services available in Herefordshire and the roles of the organisations involved in supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

To find out more about the tackling domestic abuse network, or to book a training course please access the Herefordshire Safeguarding Boards training and events page.

We encourage all professionals to sign up to the Safeguarding Boards regular updates.

Herefordshire’s strategy for tackling domestic abuse

Domestic abuse is unacceptable to residents and our wider communities. All victim-survivors of domestic abuse, regardless of their situation, are able to have equal access to help when they need it, including access to safe accommodation and the wider specialist support services required.

The strategy, through its implementation will enable people and communities to:

  • Recognise and reject all forms of domestic abuse
  • Understand where to access help
  • Seek, be offered and receive effective help and support as early as possible
  • Understand and have the skills to establish healthy relationships

The overall aim is to reduce the harm caused by, and the number of incidents of, domestic abuse in Herefordshire.