Victims of domestic abuse are now able to get vital help in their hour of need thanks to a ground-breaking partnership between The University of Manchester and Stockport Without Abuse charity.
The local charity has partnered with the institution to provide a unique service which helps advise sufferers of violence at home and offers a range of services to help and support women, men and children who are affected by domestic abuse.
The service was launched last month and provides one-to-one support at the Stockport women’s refuge.
Kath Dunn-Cham, Accommodation Manager at the charity along with Dr Terry Hanley, Director in Counselling Psychology at the University of Manchester identified the need to provide an on-site programme to aid sufferers.
Mrs Dunn-Cham said: “The waiting time to access counselling services in Stockport is currently around three months. Being able to access counselling within our refuge accommodation will make a big difference to women as they can receive this service when they are most in need of it.
“We expect that this will have a positive impact on the mental health of the women we support and, subsequently, a positive effect on the wellbeing of their children.”
University trainee Nerys Owen has played a major part in rolling out the new service and even volunteers once-a-week offering therapy to women at the refuge help to address the devastating effects of domestic abuse.
Nerys added: “It’s a privilege to have been given this opportunity.
“Giving these women the space and time to be listened to without judgement is possibly the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. Knowing that I’m learning along the way makes it even more valuable.”
The most recent report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary uncovered that domestic abuse accounts for 6% of calls to Greater Manchester Police – and of these 16% are from repeat victims.
Greater Manchester Police handled 47,496 domestic abuse incidents during 2011/12 – only the Metropolitan Police handled more.
In the 12 months up to August last year, the force recorded 4,478 domestic abuse-related assaults with injury – 35% of the total number of assaults in the region.
The study also discovered that there were 353 sexual offences recorded as part of 1,667 domestic-related harassment offences.
Dr Hanley added: “This partnership between the University and Stockport Without Abuse shows how academic research can be effectively applied to real life situations and used to help those who have been victims of domestic abuse.
“Nerys has been very active in supporting this service get off the ground, and I am sure that the experience will inform and enrich her own learning as well as making a real difference to women at the refuge.”
Image courtesy of HomeSweetHomeRefuge with thanks
