Croydon now has three domestic abuse advisors based in the local community.
The trained advisors are part of the Family Justice Centre team, and are located in the north, centre and south of the borough.
The aim of this locally-based service is to help the earlier identification of victims, to make access to support services easier and to boost community confidence to help those who are impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence (DASV).
Councillor Hamida Ali, cabinet member for communities, safety and justice
“Locally based domestic abuse advisors will be crucial to Croydon’s ongoing work to keep people safe and to change public attitudes towards this crime. Research has shown that the support domestic abuse advisors provide results in measurable improvements in levels of risk from further abuse.
“It is a vital link for our work by taking this support out closer to communities to increase the number of people accessing support and further embeds the message that ‘domestic abuse is everybody’s business.”
The advisors are making accessing services easier by providing advice, support, education and training to professionals working locally e.g. GPs, health visitors, community and faith groups, schools and early years’ settings such as children’s centres.
They are also available to attend community events to raise awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence and the support services available. This is in a bid to ensure those living and working in the borough know where to seek help, and to encourage people to help themselves and each other.
The advisors are working alongside the Best Start programme, which aims to improve life for children from conception to age five.
This is achieved by co-ordinating the services health visitors, midwives, early learning practitioners, family nurses, children’s centres, voluntary and community organisations offer to families.
The goal is that every baby, child and young person is enabled to realise their potential.