West Midlands Specialist Domestic Abuse Consortium
As a consortium, Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid, Coventry Haven Women's Aid and The Haven Wolverhampton, work together to end violence against women and girls. Through collaborative fundraising, campaigning and lobbying, we seek to improve and expand services for women and children affected by violence and abuse across the West Midlands. We share good practice and consistent approaches, learn together and share our expertise with our partners across the region.
Links to our WMSDA Consortium partners are:
Other Useful Links:
Women's Aid - Women’s Aid is the national charity for women and children working to end domestic abuse. They are a federation of over 250 organisations providing more than 300 lifesaving services to women and children across England, Wales and Scotland - 24/7 helpline 0808 2000 247 or their online chat via: chat.womensaid.org.uk
Women's Aid Survivor Forum - This Survivors’ Forum is a safe, anonymous, space for women (over 18) who have been affected by domestic abuse to share their experiences and support one another
Imkaan - Imkaan is a UK-based, black feminist organisation dedicated to addressing violence against women and girls. As a second-tier, human rights organisation, with national membership, Imkaan represents the expertise and perspectives of frontline specialist women’s services that work to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls
Police - West Midlands Police website but IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 999; if you are unable to talk, when prompted press 55 and the police will respond
101 - The police non-emergency number - 101 is the number to call when you want to contact your local police in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland - when it's less urgent than a 999 call
Men’s Support - male victims can find support and advice at Respect or Mencentric.
In alphabetical order:
Age Care
Age UK Coventry - Age is different for everyone and, of course, the challenges and the demands are different for everyone, too. At Age UK Coventry, we are many things to many people – a source of advice, information, companionship and support
Financial Support for Older Adults - https://businesscostsaver.co.uk/help-for-older-adults/
Amparo - Amparo means ‘shelter’ or ‘safe haven’ in Spanish and provides support for anyone affected by suicide
Benefits Advice
Benefits Advice & Entitlement calculator - For information and advice on benefits entitlement
Coventry Citizens Advice Bureau - We can offer, free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.
CHILDREN
ChildLine - 0800 1111 (24 hr free helpline for children)
Child Protection Helpline 0808 800 5000 (advice for adults worried about a child)
Hideout - Women's Aid have created this space to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it's happening to you
NSPCC - National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children 0808 800 5000 - Our counsellors are there 24 hours a day, to help parents, professionals and anyone worried about a child in the UK. We will listen to your concerns, offer advice and support and can take action on your behalf if a child is in danger
Please also refer to “Revenge Porn” in the listing below.
Relate - Wish Project - Is a free and confidential support service in Coventry for children and young people (0-18 years) affected by domestic violence and abuse who have an allocated social Worker
DEBT ADVICE
Coventry Law Centre - employs Solicitors and paralegals to offer free legal advice and representation for Money and Debt, as well as other issues, to the people of Coventry
Coventry Citizens Advice Bureau - Free, independent, impartial, confidential debt advice - Drop-in Monday - Friday 9am - 1pm - T: 024 7622 3284 - E: contactus@coventrycab.org.uk
DRUG & ALCOHOL
Aquarius - Strive to help people overcome the harms caused by alcohol, drugs and gambling. We work closely with individuals, families and friends to lessen the impact caused by the behaviour of a loved one
CGL - Change Grow Live - CGL Coventry is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults (including offenders), families and affected others.
Rehab4Addiction - offer a variety of addiction treatments for alcohol, cannabis, heroin, cocaine and prescription medications in Birmingham and may recommend a range of rehab and alternative treatments, ranging from a 7-day detox, a fully 28-day rehab programme, and home detox options
The Recovery Partnership - provide advice, support and treatment for adults in Coventry and Warwickshire who have been affected by alcohol or drugs
OK Rehab - Addiction Rehabilitation in the UK
Disability
Coventry All Age Disability - The All Age Disability Service works alongside people with disabilities of all ages and their carers to support their personal, social care and health outcomes. The team also support children and young people with mental health issues. For adults aged 18 over support is provided by Adult Mental Health Services. The team also supports young carers
DeafHope - SignHealth - Are you a Deaf woman suffering from domestic abuse? Are you a professional working with a Deaf client? SignHealth is a Deaf domestic abuse service. Please see the website for their signing videos
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)
Coventry Haven Ending FGM - please contact Nene on nojoawo@coventryhaven.co.uk for language specialisms, specialist advice and support
Crime Stoppers - anonymously on 0800 555 111
Daughters Of Eve - Seeks to help young women who are at risk of FGM or gender-based abuse to access the appropriate services to protect them
Forward - The African Diaspora Provides support, counselling and a safe space for girls and BME women to talk about their experiences. It can provide access and support for girls and women needing specialist health services who are affected by FGM
Petals - Coventry University App for young people, about FGM
Project Azure - Is the Police Child Abuse Investigation Command response to FGM. They can be contacted on: 020 7161 2888
Rainbo - Offers advice and information regarding violence against women and girls including FGM
Rights Of Women - National charity working to attain justice and equality by informing, educating and empowering women about their legal rights - Legal advice line: 020 7251 6577 Sexual abuse legal advice line: 020 7251 8887
Women's Aid - Women’s Aid is the national charity for women and children working to end domestic abuse. They are a federation of over 250 organisations providing more than 300 lifesaving services to women and children across England, Wales and Scotland
Forced Marriage & Honour Based Abuse (FM/HBA)
Forced Marriage - GOV.UK - Contact the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) if you’re trying to stop a forced marriage or you need help leaving a marriage you’ve been forced into. Forced Marriage Unit Telephone: 020 7008 0151 From overseas: +44 (0)20 7008 0151 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Out of hours: 020 7008 1500 (ask for the Global Response Centre). Call 999 in an emergency
Freedom Charity - Freedom Charity | 0845 607 0133 Freedom Charity aims to brings awareness, help and support with regards to forced marriage and dishonour based abuse
Henna Foundation - The Henna Foundation is committed to strengthening families within the Muslim Community. The Foundation works nationally and internationally to advance the needs, concerns and aspirations of Muslim women, children and the families that they live with in
Karma Nirvana - We provide a dedicated helpline, not only for victims, but for professionals in need of guidance in risk assessing cases of Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse
Panahghar - Provides free dedicated BAME multi lingual support, advice and advocacy and access to safe refuge for victims and their families of domestic abuse, sexual abuse or gendered abuse in Coventry and Leicester.
Housing & Homeless Advice
Coventry City Council Housing - Housing support and advice
Coventry Cyrenians - Provide a comprehensive range of high quality services to homeless and vulnerably housed people in Coventry and Warwickshire with the objective of improving their quality of life and to empower them to live as independently as possible. We view our role as helping people to rebuild their lives
Crisis Skylight - Are the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. They help people directly out of homelessness and campaign for the changes needed to solve it altogether
The Salvation Army Coventry - The Salvation Army has been awarded a new prime contract by Coventry City Council for a city-wide service for those facing homelessness or with a history of offending behaviour
Immigration / BME
Coventry Refugee & Migrant Centre - For over a decade, we’ve been helping local refugees and migrants in the local community
National Womens Aid Service - BAWS Women's Aid (Wales) - Bawso - Information, Advice and Support for Black and Ethnic Minority women and children in Wales who are at risk of or suffering domestic abuse and all forms of violence; including Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage, Honor Based Abuse and Human Trafficking
Panahghar - Provides free dedicated BME multi lingual support, advice and advocacy and access to safe refuge for victims and their families of domestic abuse, sexual abuse or gendered abuse in Coventry and Leicester
Southhall Black Sisters - Southall Black Sisters is a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1979 to meet the needs of black (Asian and African-Caribbean) and minority ethnic women
Legal Assistance
Alsters Kelly Solicitors - We are proud to offer a diverse range of legal services with a quality and reliability that you can trust and are equally proud that our firm and a number of our lawyers have been commended in the Legal 500, an independent legal guide which recognises the top law firms in England and Wales
Coventry Law Centre - The Coventry Law Centre is a charity employing Solicitors and paralegals to offer free legal advice and representation in various areas of law, for the people of Coventry
Kundert Solicitors - If you’re in need of legal advice or representation for matters involving family or relationships, we understand that this may be a very difficult time for you. At Kundert Solicitors LLP, our team of dedicated and skilled family solicitors offer a reliable and professional service. Sarah Warwick, the head of the department is assisted by Gloria Prewett who specialises in Divorce and Ancillary Relief
Penmans Solicitors - Penmans family lawyers offer a discreet, sympathetic and professional service in all aspects of family law
LGBT
Birmingham LGBT - Their vision is a vibrant, diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community in Birmingham, UK in which individuals can realise their full potential and have equal access to what the city has to offer (they also take referrals from Coventry)
Coventry and Warwickshire Friend - Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Trans helpline offering information and support
Galop - Support LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence
LGBT Foundation - Our services and activities include: a range of support groups; face-to-face counselling; a helpline, email and pop-in service; a befriending scheme; a sexual health programme, (including outreach testing clinics and the largest free condom and lube scheme outside of London); anti-homophobia projects in schools; a substance-misuse project; organisational training; a range of guides and resources; a national website; advice surgeries; LGBT infrastructure support; various research projects and policy campaigning
Prism LGBT - Prism LGBTQ is an organisation dedicated to providing a youth group, information and support to LGBTQ young people and those around them
Struggles of the LGBT Community that Lead to Addiction
Men's Services
Choose2Change - Responding to perpetrators of domestic abuse and managing risk of harm delivered by Relate
Relate - To develop and support healthy relationships by helping couples, families and individuals to make relationships work better
Respect - A confidential helpline is available for all men across the UK suffering from domestic violence or domestic abuse by their current or former wife or partner (including same-sex partner).
military
SAAFA the Armed Forces Charity can support you if you are subjected to abuse within a military family - SAAFA
Modern Day Slavery / Domestic Servitude / Human Trafficking
Modern Slavery Helpline – 08000 121 700
Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) - email: fib@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
Modern Slavery Act Duty to Notify
Human Trafficking Foundation Trafficking Survivor Care Standards
See also SEX WORKER/SEXUAL EXPLOITATION below
“Revenge Porn”
Childline and the Internet Watch Foundation have come together to provide a service where children can request the removal of sexual images of themselves which have been shared online. As part of that process the child would be asked to provide a link to where the image is stored online, rather than send the image itself.
The child is also required to verify their identity and age and this is done through the YOTI app. YOTI will not store images of the child’s ID following the verification process.
Below are a couple of online resources which contain details regarding this service:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/sexting - There is a section which covers what you can do if you’ve lost control of a sexual image and refers to the YOTI app.
https://contentreporting.childline.org.uk – This is the portal where you can report images and videos for take down and again refers to using the app to verify age.
SEX WORKER/Sexual exploitation
Kairos WWT - works with women in Coventry at risk of sexual exploitation supporting them on their journey to safety, stability and self-belief
Sexual Health
CRASAC - Offers free and confidential support and information to anyone from the age of 5 years old who has been affected by sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened. They also provide support to parents, partners, supporters and professionals
Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust - Testing, treatment and advice for people with Sexually Transmitted Infections; full contraception choices, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, HIV management, outreach provision
ISHS - The Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS) is based on the 3rd Floor of the City of Coventry Health Centre, Stoney Stanton Road, CV1 4FS. The Service is free and completely confidential. There is also a dedicated Young Person's clinic - just telephone the clinic for further information on 0300 020 0027 or book an appointment online
TRAINING (esol)
FWT offers ESOL and other training for women in a women only space.
Victims Commission - The Victims’ Code can be found here.