Our Domestic Abuse Support workers provide telephone and remote information support and advocacy for victims of domestic abuse and those who may be at risk.
This may include: one to one risk assessments, help with safety planning, emotional support and signposting to Watford Women's Centre services such as legal advice, counselling, training and support groups, social groups, support for clients to access refuge, IDVA services etc.
Martha has extensive networks with BAME communities and has worked as a BAME specialist in Watford for the past 3 Years. See Martha's recent blog post here.
Alison has over 30 years of experience in helping women to survive domestic abuse.
We are also working with Watford Council to provide part of the Healthy Hub Service. If you feel unsafe, have a look at apps to help you keep safe, particularly through lockdown. Also, see the government guidance for keeping safe during lockdown.
Domestic abuse- what is it?
Does your partner or family member… intimidate you, check up on you, dislike you having friends, call you names and criticise you, restrict your access to money or health care, hurt you, blame you for the way they feel?
Do you feel…frightened, depressed, isolated, powerless?
Are you in a relationship:
- based on fear, threats, and intimidation?
- where one person tries to have control in order to get their needs met?
- where there is no respect and willingness to compromise?
- where there are consequences to disagreeing and saying no?
- where you feel you are "walking on eggshells"?
This could be an abusive relationship and may be experienced by both women and men aged 16 years and over. Domestic abuse happens in marriages, partnerships, same-sex relationships and families. It occurs in all cultures, class structures, age groups and is happening today in your neighbourhood.
How can Watford Women’s Centre help me?
We offer an appointment (currently via telephone) with a specialist domestic abuse worker who will listen and give you accurate information in a supportive, non-judgemental environment. Initially, we would talk to you about your situation, assess the safety needs of you and any children and discuss your options.
These may include:
- Emotional support and practical help
- "My Life" Domestic Abuse programme
- Introducing you to our Black And Ethnic Minority (BAME) support worker
- Helping you to build self esteem and confidence to better manage your situation on a day to day basis
- Legal advice - Family Law solicitor referrals
- 1:1 counselling low cost and long-term up to 1 year
- Signposting to other appropriate agencies including access to a refuge if required. Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline / Herts Sunflower
- Referring you to personal development courses
How do I access the services?
- Call 01923 816 229 to make an appointment with a Domestic Abuse Specialist.
- Contact us via LIVE CHAT on any page of our website to book an appointment
- Contact us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to book an apppointment
- contact Martha or Alison by email:
Will it be confidential?
We hope you will feel comfortable talking openly with the support worker. Whatever is discussed is strictly confidential to the agency unless we have concerns regarding the safety of yourself or others, in particular children and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding concerns may be passed on to relevant people who need to know and we will always try and include you in this process.
The J9 Initiative
The J9 Domestic Abuse Initiative aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse and assist survivors to access support safely by training professionals and members of the community to recognise domestic abuse and respond to survivors. Once J9 trained, the J9 logo is displayed, letting survivors know that they have a safe place to access information and use a telephone to contact support services.
A J9 Community Champion can be anyone amongst local business and services who comes into contact with the public regardless of their job role. This is a ‘help on the high street’ approach.
Download a Herts Sunflower J9 Resource and Information Pack here.
