REFUGE
GET HELP
Safe in Sussex can help you to escape domestic abuse and build a new, safer future for you and your children.
If you are in immediate danger, call the Police on 999
For immediate confidential support, please call the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247
We all deserve to be treated with respect and to live our lives free from violence and fear.
Domestic abuse is frightening, painful and dangerous – emotionally and physically.
Safe in Sussex provides free support and advice for anyone experiencing or at risk from domestic violence. Our services and how we can help are below.
Refuge Accommodation
In West Sussex, we have refuge accommodation for up to 17 families and can help you access refuge accommodation outside the area.
All our homes are secured and monitored 24-hours a day.
Stay up to six months
You and your children can stay with us for up to six months and, during that time, we provide the vital support and help you will need to come to terms with your experiences and plan your future.
As well as providing counselling and a safe environment, our friendly team can provide practical advice on housing, finances and pursuing prosecutions against abusers.
Our goal is to empower women in our care and help them discover the confidence they need to live independently and without fear.
Supporting Children
Whether they witnessed it or not, children will be affected by domestic abuse in different ways.
Safe in Sussex works with mothers and children to help rebuild relationships and strengthen emotional bonds.
Our children’s support service helps children to come to terms with their experiences by providing a safe, non-judgemental environment where they can express their feelings and explore coping mechanisms.
We provide different activities to give children the opportunity to just be a child again and play without fear.
Call Safe in Sussex on 0330 333 7416 to find out more about our refuge accommodation.
Freedom Programme – Understanding domestic abuse
One of the most sinister aspects of domestic abuse is how perpetrators play psychological “games” to manipulate and control their victims.
The aims of our 12-week Freedom Programme, written by Pat Craven are: –
- Empower women through a better understanding of domestic violence
- Explore the “beliefs” held by abusive people
- Give women the knowledge and tools to recognise potential abusers
- Show the effect of domestic violence on children and young people
- Help women to gain self-confidence and improve their quality of life
The Freedom Programme is free to anyone over 16 and Safe in Sussex runs courses all over Sussex.
Please fill out a referral form for this group –
The Freedom Programme Referral Form
For more information, please email groups@safeinsussex.org.uk (please allow 5-7 working days for any responses). You can also visit www.freedomprogramme.co.uk
Domestic Abuse Recovery Toolkit
Our 12-week, free programme helps people who have left an abusive relationship to overcome the psychological trauma of their experiences.
Through support, advice and group sessions, we help women to regain their confidence and self-esteem to feel well-equipped to live independently, free from fear.
The Domestic Abuse Recovery Toolkit is a follow on programme for women who have completed the Freedom Programme and are no longer in an abusive relationship.
Please fill out a referral form for this group –
Recovery Toolkit Referral Form
For more information, please email groups@safeinsussex.org.uk (please allow 5-7 working days for any responses).
Hope2Recovery
Do you question whether you are in a healthy relationship? Do you want to understand more about coercive control? Is your partner ever abusive?
The Hope2Recovery Programme is a 6-week programme for any adult that is experiencing domestic abuse. The course helps you to –
- Develop a better understanding of the difference between healthy/unhealthy and abusive relationships.
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Recognise coercive control and the tactics perpetrators of domestic abuse use.
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Help you understand how difficult it is to see what is happening when you are in an abusive relationship.
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Develop a better understanding of your parenting role, and the challenge of being a nurturing parent while in an abusive relationship.
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Help you to proactively make action plans for a safe future for you and your children.
This is a free, online programme.
Please fill out a referral form for this group –
Hope2Recovery Programme Referral Form
For more information, please email groups@safeinsussex.org.uk (please allow 5-7 working days for any responses).
Male Support Service
Safe in Sussex has a Male Support IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) in place to support male victims of abuse across West Sussex.
The services available for men who have experienced domestic abuse include, 1:1 support via telephone, online or in-person.
If you would like to discuss this further, please fill out our referral form below:
Click here to fill out the form
Hope 2 Recovery for Men is a six-week programme for those who identify as male only to explore the impact of domestic abuse and connect with other survivors. This is a free online programme. To register, please complete the form via the following link and a facilitator will be in touch to discuss further:
LGBTQ+ Support Service
Safe in Sussex has a LGBTQ+ IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) in place to support victims of abuse from the LGBTQ+ community across West Sussex.
The services available for LGBTQ+ members of the community who have experienced domestic abuse, include 1:1 support via telephone, online or in-person.
If you would like to discuss this further, please fill out our referral form:
Click here to fill out the form
LGBTQ+ Hope 2 Recovery course is a 6 week online group-based programme for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ that has and/or is experiencing domestic abuse. Each session will last for one hour and we ask for you to commit to the full 6 weeks.
The course will help you to:
• Develop a better understanding of the difference between
healthy/unhealthy and abusive relationships.
• Recognise coercive control and the tactics employed by perpetrators
of domestic abuse.
• Help you understand how difficult it is to recognise an abusive
relationship when you are within it.
• Develop further understanding of parental roles and the challenges
presented while in an abusive relationship.
• How to make proactive plans for your future.
If you would like to join, please fill in a referral form here:
For more information, please email outreach@safeinsussex.org.uk (please allow 5-7 working days for any responses).
Useful Links
National Domestic Violence Helpline
Call free 24hr – 0808 2000 247 or Visit www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk
Lifecentre is a South Coast charity providing support for survivors of rape and sexual abuse
Helpline – 0808 8020 808 or Visit www.lifecentre.uk.com
Worth Services – West Sussex-based help and advice on domestic abuse.
Visit www.worthservices.org
MIND – Mental Health Charity
Call 01903 277000 or Visit www.coastalwestsussexmind.org
Citizen’s Advice Bureau – Advice on finances, housing, debt.
Call 0344 477 1171 or Visit www.advicewestsussex.org.uk
Samaritans
Call 116 123 or Visit www.samaritans.org
ManKind – Domestic violence helpline for men
Call 01823 334244 or Visit www.mankind.org.uk
Victim Support
Call 0808 168 9274 or Visit www.victimsupport.org.uk
The Daisy Chain Project provides pro bono legal advice to men and women experiencing, fleeing domestic abuse.
Call 01903 918764 or Visit www.thedaisychainproject.com
The Galop is an LGBT domestic abuse charity
Call 0300 999 5428 or Visit www.galop.org.uk
Men’s Advice Line a confidential helpline, email and webchat service for male victims of domestic abuse.
Call 0808 801 0327 or www.mensadviceline.org.uk
The Mix, free information and support for under 25s in the UK
Call 0808 808 4994 or Visit
Police Conduct – This is a guide of how to make a silent call to the police.
Visit www.policeconduct.gov.uk
Womens Aid including Live Chat, email, the Survivors Forum and local services.
Visit www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/
Respect Phoneline a confidential helpline, email and webchat service for domestic abuse perpetrators and those supporting them: Call 0808 8024040 or Visit www.respectphoneline.org.uk
SUPPORT
GET INVOLVED
Safe In Sussex receives 14% of its funding from the government. The rest is through grants, fundraising events, donations, legacies and corporate sponsorship.
Demand for our services grows every year and finding the money to fund our vital services gets tougher all the time.
We are fortunate to receive some grant funding from Children in Need, the National Lottery and local authority organisations, but we are constantly looking for new ways to attract funding.
If you would like to help us in any way please call us on 0330 333 7416 or email info@safeinsussex.org.uk.
If you would like to help our fundraising activities, please click here to find out how you can get involved.
Support Safe In Sussex by making a donation today!
Call us
0330 333 7416
Email us
info@safeinsussex.org.uk
Registered Office Address:
A2 Yeoman Gate, Yeoman Way, Worthing, BN13 3QZ
Registered Charity No. 1098726
Worthing Women's Aid (Company Limited by Guarantee No. 04691516) trading as Safe in Sussex