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Detective Sergeant Jason Roberts of the Wiltshire Police has spoken out in support of Injunctions for victims and survivors of domestic abuse who apply to the civil courts for protection from violent and abusive ex-partners.  This came abour following Judge Ambrose's comments recently in Swindon Crown Court, where he said he felt demoralised that victims of domestic violence ask for restraining orders to be lifted to enable them to resume their relationships.

HOMETRUTHS provides support to survivors and victims of domestic violence and abuse whether they are in an abusive relationship, recently separated or have a history of domestic abuse.  Domestic abuse is a complex issue that often requires specialist support and HOMETRUTHS provides a confidential and free service to anyone over the age of 16.

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/10469679.Restraining_orders_vital_to_help_abuse_victims/

 

From April 1st 2013 the Government made cuts to the Legal Aid bill of £270 million by withdrawing funding for certain categories of civil law when the Legal Aid and Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act came into force on 1st April.

As many as 600,000 people may be affected.

Lawyers are expressing concern for the safety of children and vulnerable adults:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/legal-aid-cuts-put-a-generation-of-children-in-danger-8640801.html

We would like to thank all the attendees of the most recent NewBeginnings Group which finished last week, for the beautiful flowers and card.

We have really enjoyed working with you through the NewBeginnings Programme and wish you all every success with your next steps forward.  You have all blossomed and have so much strength and potential, so just keep going from strength to strength! 

Very best wishes to you all.  XX

NewBeginnings will be running again later in the year - anyone interested in attending or who works with or knows of a woman who has survived domestic abuse but needs a boost of self-confidence, help with regaining her independence and personal identity please get in touch.

01793 617589 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Clare's Law or the DVDS - Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme which is being piloted in 4 police force areas, including Wiltshire, has been so successful consideration is being made to roll it out across the UK.

Under the scheme applications can be made to find out about the offending history of a partner with the local police to discover if they have any convictions.  The hope is that anyone feeling concerned about the behaviour or possible history of domestic abuse can apply for a disclosure to inform their decision to be with a partner or not.

Clare Wood was killed by her former partner George Appleton in 2009, and following her death Clare's father Michael Brown, campaigned for the right for people in his daughter's situation to know about the history of their partners. 

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2013/04/27/clare-s-law-could-be-rolled-out-after-pilot-success-86081-33243114/

We had a brilliant day in London at the People Power 2013 event - a long day packed with inspiring speakers!

Thank you very much to the Sheila McKechnie Foundation for the bursary that enabled us to attend.

Swindon Advertiser print a report about HOMETRUTHS' Stalking Awareness Event hosted yesterday in Chippenham:

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/10363333.Abuse_charity_leads_the_battle_against_stalkers/ 

Today is National Stalking Awareness Day and HOMETRUTHS were really pleased to welcome Angus Macpherson who came along for our awareness raising event in Chippenham "Looking Over My Shoulder...."

http://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/News-and-Events/News-Archive/2013/PCC-attending-stalking-awareness-event.aspx

The event was well attended with professionals travelling from as far as Weston-Super-Mare.

Inspector Chamberlain from Wiltshire Police gave a presentation about the Police response and supported the theme of the event that Stalking is a crime that creates fear and distress and needs t be recognised and responded to appropriately.

 

Thursday 18th April 2013 is National Stalking Awareness Day.  Listen to HEART Radio Breakfast show from 6am and hear HOMETRUTHS and one of our service users talking about Domestic Abuse and Stalking.

http://www.heart.co.uk/wiltshire/news/local/national-stalking-awareness-day-wiltshire/

Later in the day HOMETRUTHS will be hosting an awareness session in Chippenham for professionals and have attendees coming from across the south west to understand more about the stalking which became a crime in England in Wales in November 2012, and the devastating impact it has on the lives of survivors of domestic abuse and their children.

A Wiltshire Police Inspector will be giving a presentation about the Polcie response to Stalking during the event.

Jahmene, X Factor finalist came and sat with us at the Health Lottery event in Claridges, hosted by Simon Cowell. 

We really appreciated Jahmene taking the time to talk to HOMETRUTHS and for his on-going support in highlighting the issue of domestic violence.

Kerry who is a service user of HOMETRUTHS' Life In Harmony Project, came with us to represent the impact of the work we have been doing in the Life In Harmony Project (funded by the Health Lottery), she had her photo taken with him!  Thank you Jahmene and thank you Kerry for supporting us - it was a brilliant afternoon! :)

HOMETRUTHS were invited for afternoon tea at Claridges in London, by Simon Cowell to celebrate the work of the £32 million raised by The Health Lottery.

HOMETRUTHS recieved funding for Life In Harmony from the Health Lottery and we went along with Kerry who is a survivor of domestic violence who has benefitted from the Life In Harmony Project, to the champagne tea.

Simon Cowell flew in from Los Angeles for the event and was joined by many other celebs including: boxer Chris Eubank, Rylan from ex-factor, Sinitta, Vanessa Phelps, Brendan from Strictly Come Dancing, Sid Owen (Ricky from Eastenders), and Jahmene X Factor runner-up who came and sat with us to eat sandwiches, cakes and scones!

We has a fabulous afternoon and really enjoyed celebrating the successes of HOMETRUTHS together with many other projects from across the country.

 

Stalking_Awareness_Day_Training_Flyer_April_2013.pdf311.68 KB

April 18th 2013 is National Stalking Awareness Day.  HOMETRUTHS is offering a training opportunity for professionals and students to attend "Looking Over My Shoulder..." which will raise awareness of stalking & harassment within domestic abuse.

The event will be held in Chippenham, Wiltshire and is open to professionals and students across the south west.  From 10.00-2.30 with lunch provided - cost: £35 per attendee.

 

 

HOMETRUTHS is registered with Localgiving.com and up until April 5th 2013, donations made up to a total value of £200 will be matched by the Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable funding for the services we provide to survivors of domestic violence and abuse in Wiltshire and Swindon because thousands of people in our county are living with domestic abuse or the impact of domestic abuse from past relationships. 

We would really welcome and value any donations.

Thank you.

John Lewis presented HOMETRUTHS with a cheque today for the money raised by their shoppers putting the green tokens into the Community Matters donations bins.

Thank you very much to John Lewis and to all the shoppers who donated to HOMETRUTHS.  The £678.30 raised will go towards funding The Freedom Programme.

HOMETRUTHS spent a lovely afternoon at the John Moulton Hall in Penhill Swindon, at the Penhill Community International Women's Day event.  Thank you to everyone who made us so welcome and for the fabulous cake!

Angus Mcpherson, Wiltshire & Swindon's Police & Crime Commissioner met with TEARS Domestic Abuse Survivors' Forum on Friday 22nd February the week his draft Police & Crime Plan 2013-2017 for Swindon & Wiltshire has been launched for consultation. 

HOMETRUTHS facilitated the meeting between Angus and 20 survivors of domestic violence and really interesting discussions about the new role of Police & Crime Commissioners, the experience of victims and survivors of domestic abuse calling the police and thoughts and ideas the TEARS survivors had about the draft plan and the 6 over-arching priorities.

The TEARS Survivors enjoyed the meeting with Angus and collectively felt it was a really good opportunity to make a difference, as one attendee said afterwards: "Angus really seemed to listen to what we were saying, he made notes and he asked questions and I felt it wasn't like a lot of professionals who come with their own agendas, he seems to really want to make a difference for the local people."

Angus invites anyone who would like to read and comment on the draft plan to follow the on-line link via his website:           www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk

or go direct to the plan: http://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/Document-Library/Police-and-Crime-Plan/Draft-Police-and-Crime-Plan.pdf

 

 

HOMETRUTHS hosted a ONE BILLION RISING event in Swindon today on Valentine's Day between 1 and 2pm.  Thank you very much to everyone who came to dance and to Claudia the fabulous Zumba teacher who lead the dancing and to Tony who brought in the public, whipped up the crowd and got everyone joining in!!  Thank you also to the volunteers: Shannon, Tracey, Alysia, Carl, Hayley, Judy, Rosie and John who all helped make the event go really well. 

A huge thank you to the Steve Hill Fun Fair who helped us out at the last minute when the BIG TV wasn't working so that we could have music to dance to through their sound-system - we really appreciate your help.

Thank you also to everyone who made donations to HOMETRUTHS so that we can continue to provide services in Swindon and Wiltshire to women living with domestic violence and abuse.

Thank you to the Swindon Adver for running an article in Wednesday's edition publicising the event, and to Emily from inSwindon who was really helpful in making the Wharf Green area available today.

We will be adding pictures to the website in the next few days.

HOMETRUTHS provides an Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy service for victims and survivors at high risk of serious harm or homicide.  Our staff are very experienced qualified IDVAs who can work with survivors to help reduce the risks to themselves and their children, and increase their safety when experiencing violence and abuse from partners, ex-partners or family members. 

The DASH risk assessment form is an important tool in assessing and understanding the risks someone faces, however ACPO - The Association of Chief Police Officers, is piloting the end of the use of the DASH (Domestic Abuse Stalking & Harassment) Risk Assessment Form in Hampshire and Basingstoke and looking to do this in another force area in April, in a drive to "reduce bureaucracy".  Under current national guidelines, police officers attending domestic violence incidents undertake an assessment to be able to evaluate which victims are at highest risk of serious harm or homicide.  Under the new pilot Police Officers will be encouraged to rely purely on their professional judgement.

HOMETRUTHS have spoken with the local policing teams in Swindon and this is not something they are considering stopping in Swindon and Wiltshire which is very reassuring as we know the impact on reducing serious harm the DASH can have.  We add our voice to the concerns other domestic violence organisations across the country have if the decision is made to change national guidance.

The following article in the Independent highlights the concerns: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/drive-to-cut-red-tape-could-end-in-murder-8478497.html

One Billion Rising is a global event due to take place on Thursday 14th February 2013.

1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten and raped in her lifetime.

HOMETRUTHS is staging an event in Swindon Town Centre between 1pm and 2pm, and we would love to see you there.  We will be gathering under the Big TV in Wharf Green and will be dancing to support the One Billion Rising global movement towards ending violence against women.

Follow updates on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/277114615748550/

We will update with more information as we have it, but anyone who would like to come along to support us please bring your family, colleagues, friends and children.  To find out more contact us on: 01793 617589 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Galaxy Hot Chocolate Fund will award £300 to the good cause voted by the public. 

HOMETRUTHS have registered and would really appreciate you voting for us and the £300 will go towards the FREEDOM PROGRAMME.

Please follow this link and register on the site - it's really easy they ask for your name and email address, and you then get a confirmation email that allows you to then click the "vote" button and this will count towards HOMETRUTHS:

http://www.hotgalaxywarmheart.com/fund/hometruths--freedom-programme

Please ask your family, friends, facebook contacts, neighbours, work colleagues, students at college and anyone else you know to register and vote for us too!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT - £300 will make a really worthwhile contribution to the FREEDOM PROGRAMME.

The Swindon Freedom Programme is open for new referrals.  Any woman from the age of 16 who is or has experienced domestic violence & abuse who lives in Swindon, or is able to get to Swindon is welcome to come along.

We welcome self referrals and also referrals from professionals.  If you would like to find out more please visit the Freedom Programme page of our website www.hometruths.coop or ring or email us to find out more: 01793 617589 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

It is a 12 week rolling programme and women can join at any time.  Women who have come along before have found it has been life-changing: “I would have given up on myself. I would have thought it was me and gone back. I would not have got out of my abusive relationship."