Domestic abuse can affect anyone

Raising awareness of domestic abuse and helping people to find the information and support they need is the subject of a new campaign in York

Running from 17-21 October, National Safeguarding Week will be supported by City of York and North Yorkshire’s Safeguarding Children and Adults’ Safeguarding Boards together with the council, North Yorkshire Police (NYP), the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

York residents are invited to West Office’s customer services foyer to learn about domestic abuse and support services available in York on Monday 17 October, Wednesday 19 October and Friday 21 October between 11am – 2pm. Information stalls will be opened to help people identify what domestic abuse is, how it can be carried out and where people experiencing it can get expert help and support whether they are adults, children or whole families. Representatives from the council, IDAS, the Vale of York CCG, NYP, York Hospital, Kyra Women’s Project and Board members will give information out to those dropping by.
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£159k funding to give domestic abuse victims 24/7 support

Nearly £160,000 of Government funding will  round-the-clock support for people experiencing domestic abuse in York.

The Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) will use the £159,064 award in York and Harrogate to fund extended and better-quality provision, backed by The North Yorkshire and York Domestic Abuse Partnership, and by Safer York Partnership.

The funding will pay for extending the IDAS helpline for emergency support and advice to a 24-hour, seven days a week service, and it will allow for 24/7 staffing at the refuges. It will also allow for more staff training to better assess the needs of those requesting help and to support them, as well as training for refuge users to build resilience and to prepare for successful resettling.

Sarah Hill, Director of IDAS in York, said: “Domestic violence affects up to one in four women and is not a nine-to-five problem. I’m delighted that this extra funding is going to let us deliver 24-hour services, weekend cover and community provision so that we can provide a better quality and safer service to families when they need it.”