Last week was No More Week, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence. In my newsletters, I highlighted the work Dorset Police are doing to tackle these awful offences (you can read here) and featured a new campaign from one of our commissioned partners, STARS Dorset. Today, I want to highlight the services commissioned by my Office, and how they help to provide high quality support for victims in Dorset.

Domestic abuse is a devastating crime that can ruin lives. These terrible offences are so often hidden, and in some cases, victims may not even realise what they’re experiencing is abuse, particularly as not all domestic abuse is physical - it can be psychological, emotional or financial. Dorset Police take these offences seriously and have been making improvements in their service to safeguard victims and identify high-risk indicators.

Tackling domestic abuse and providing quality support for victims is a key part of my Police and Crime Plan. At the heart of this priority to Fight Violent Crime and High Harm is ensuring we listen to the voices of victims. I am absolutely committed to this and will continue to draw upon national best practice while lobbying for more funding to enable Dorset Police to further improve their work identifying and targeting the most prolific and harmful offenders. Through ensuring we are listening to the victims’ voice and making reporting easier, victims will always be at the centre of all we do.

Alongside the ongoing collaboration with other statutory partners in the commissioning of victim services, I want to highlight some of the initiatives and services funded through my Office to ensure victims have quality tailored support. One of these is the Maple Project, a service for high-risk victims of domestic abuse. Part of the funding for the Maple Project includes dedicated Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) for victims including children and young people. The role of an IDVA is varied and multifaceted, providing emotional and practical advice and guidance to support victims and help them become and remain safe. They empower victims to make positive safe choices and liaise with professionals on a victim’s behalf, where needed. This support can also extend to the court process and can also include helping victims to access safe accommodation alongside advocating on the victim’s behalf.

I also commission The You Trust who provide an IDVA to be based in health settings to deliver support and outreach services. Through The You Trust, a specialist domestic violence counsellor is also funded to ensure victims have can have access to counselling. My Office also commissions BCHA to provide a complex needs hybrid domestic abuse worker. This role is a combination of an IDVA and an ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) and supports those in BCHA spaces who are dealing with domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Through Victim Support I also commission a full-time children and young person specialist domestic abuse early intervention practitioner. This caseworker provides trauma informed support for children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse.

Of course, this terrible offence affects both men and women, and I commission Mankind to provide a survivor recovery programme for men in Dorset. Called Acorn, it helps men who have recovered from domestic abuse put their lives back together. You can read more here.

Alongside these services, I also want to highlight a Dorset project I wholeheartedly support. The Dragonfly Project, which is run by Paragon, develops community-based support for people affected by domestic abuse. Dragonfly Champions are trained to provide a listening ear and a link to specialist agencies so victims who may be isolated can access help. Anybody living or working in Dorset can become a Dragonfly Champion, which will ensure you’re able to properly help signpost a victim of domestic abuse to the right services should you need to. I believe this is such an important service, and I am proud that all the OPCC team will soon be trained to become Dragonfly Champions. 

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I know how vital it is for the right services to be in place to help victims of domestic abuse. I have spoken to victims about the terrible impact these offences have had on them, and I pledge to ensure professional and specialist support continues to be available. I will do whatever I can to enable victims in Dorset to have the confidence to come forward and know they will be believed, and ensure the right people are in the right place to take care of them and help them feel safe. 

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner

Help and Support

If you are experiencing domestic abuse you can reach out to Dorset Police. If you’re in danger call 999. For non emergencies, report via www.dorset.police.uk, call 101 or visit www.dorset.police.uk/abuse-help for more information.

Support services available include the following:

- National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24 hrs) 0808 2000 247

- Victim Support 0300 3030 163

- Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Domestic Abuse Referrals & Support Line: 01202 710777

- Dorset (Paragon) 0800 032 5204

- Mankind Initiative 01823 334244

- National Men’s Advice Line (Respect) 0808 8010327

- Waterlily Project 01202 246763

- STARS 01202 308840

- Paladin (Stalking) 020 3866 4107

- The Shores 0800 970 9954

- NCDV for support with Non Molestation/Occupation/Prohibited Steps orders 0800 970 2070