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Domestic Abuse Refuge

by Black Country Women's Aid

About our activities / service

Sandwell Women’s Aid provides safe, secure and supportive accommodation which is available 24 hours a day for women and their children escaping domestic abuse. Our services are accessible for all women, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity or sexuality. Our refuge options include: •Individual flats in a purpose built refuge •Specific refuge for South Asian Women •Dispersed supportive housing scheme If you decide you no longer feel safe to remain in your home we can aim to find you space for you in a refuge within Sandwell. We can also find you refuge space elsewhere in the country if you choose. If you do not want to leave your home, we can talk to you about appropriate services that you can access. What support will I get? Sandwell Women’s Aid workers will listen to you, respect your decisions, and give you time, space and support. Within our refuges we can provide: •One to one emotional support •Support planning, and safety planning •Legal issues: Assistance with both civil and criminal cases including child custody •Emotional and practical support for children and families rebuilding their lives •Support and advocacy with housing, welfare benefits, education, training and employment •Accessing aftercare once you have moved out of refuge •Culturally sensitive, multi lingual support including immigration advocacy and access to other agencies •One to one counselling •Group work and activities include ESOL courses, confidence building, Expect Respect programme, and Health and Wellbeing •Referrals and signposting to other services What about my children? Children are very welcome at Sandwell Women’s Aid refuges. We have specialist family support workers who bring a child friendly approach into refuge and who can work with you and your children on a number of issues: •Giving children time and space to talk as well as provide opportunities to meet other children and a chance to have fun. •Running group play sessions for children or mums and children, and sessions with individual families to look at communication and relationship building between you and your children. •Helping you find local school places for your children and building links with other organisations that have a role in children’s lives. •Offering access to specialist children’s counselling service. Family Support Workers play an important role in making sure that your children’s stay in refuge is as happy and fun as possible. All services are confidential and follow professional codes of practice. This service is provided via The Supporting People Programme.

Staff qualifications	Staff qualified
Genders	Women
Age focus	New borns up to 1 years olds, 1 year olds, 2 year olds, 3 year olds, 4 year olds, 5 year olds, 6 year olds, 7 year olds, 8 year olds, 9 year olds, 10 year olds, 11 year olds, 12 year olds, 13 year olds, 14 year olds, 15 year olds, 16 year olds, 17 year olds, 18 year olds, 19-25 year olds, 26-65 year olds, 65+ year olds

About the organisation

Black Country Women’s Aid is an independent charity which has been supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence in the West Midlands for the last 25 years. BCWA offer sensitive and holistic support services which help victims of abuse to escape from violence, cope with trauma and move on with their lives. Support services include: • Domestic Abuse team supporting victims (female and male) in the community and at court; • Domestic Abuse Refuges offering a safe place to stay for women and children escaping their abusers; • Black Country Rape and Sexual Violence Service supporting victims (female and male) of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse with practical advocacy and specialist counselling; • Young People’s Team supporting children and young people who have suffered domestic abuse, rape and child sexual exploitation and providing education work in Sandwell schools; • Modern Day Slavery Service offers safe refuge and community support to people under the NRM (National Referral Mechanism) who have been trafficked to the UK; • Women’s Justice Services providing support to female offenders. BCWA also provide training and awareness sessions to professionals and community members across all of these specialist areas. BCWA work in partnership with statutory and voluntary services to support victims, raise awareness of issues of abuse, and develop new approaches to reaching the most vulnerable victims.