Connect to Calan – December 2024
Message from our CEO
2023 has been another busy year within Calan DVS, we have launched two new large contracts (IDVA contract and Pembrokeshire Domestic Abuse Services) which see us working in partnership with other specialist domestic abuse organisations across Mid and West Wales; we have further developed our recovery programmes to make them more inclusive and we have piloted a perpetrator programme in conjunction with Bristol University and RESPECT. In addition to this, we are reviewing our accommodation services to make them more inclusive and will be looking to strengthen our accommodation services over the next 12 months.
We have seen our team and footprint grow across Wales and as always, our teams have continued to go above and beyond in these extremely busy and challenging times ensuring that our service users are at the forefront of what they do and that our services are accessible to all. I am extremely proud of each individual and their contribution.
Once again, this year we have been overwhelmed at the generosity of the communities in which we work. We have received donations from individuals, organisations and communities all of which have been used to provide resources for residents in our emergency accommodation and resources for individuals and families we are supporting in the community. We are very grateful for all donations and they have made a huge difference to those who access our services, thank you!
As we look forward to 2024, we will be developing additional programmes to address gaps in services that will be co-produced with victims/survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, we will be launching a new strand of the organisation, recruiting new trustees and as always we will continue to work towards ensuring our services are sustainable and accessible to all.
I wish you all a lovely festive break and a happy, healthy and safe 2024.
Michelle
Our Programmes
Over the past 12 months, across our areas of operation, our teams have continued to deliver on our core services (accommodation and community services), established programmes which include the Compass Programme (male victims), Inspiring Families (for families where domestic abuse is a component and are choosing to stay together), Myriad (LGBQT+ victims) and Children’s and Young People’s programmes) as well new programmes. We would like to share some of the highlights with you as follows:
Launch of Pembrokeshire Domestic Abuse Service
Earlier this month saw the launch of the Pembrokeshire Domestic Abuse Service, a partnership between Calan DVS and Threshold DAS. The two organisations were successfully awarded the contract to deliver VAWDASV Housing Related Support (Accommodation and Community Based) back in September 2023 and we have since been putting in place the infrastructure to deliver these services to the highest standards possible.
Pembrokeshire DAS are dedicated to ensuring that all service-users are empowered to exercise maximum choice/control over their lives and the support they receive. The trauma-informed service is being led by the needs and wishes of victims/survivors whilst keeping safety and understanding of risk paramount. The service supports victims and survivors with varying levels of need including those with higher and more complex needs.
Pembrokeshire DAS, as a partnership, will also deliver a wide range of additional specialist DVA support services, programmes and interventions which will further support those accessing accommodation and community support.
The launch event was a great success with over 50 people in attendance. During the event attendees heard from Calan’s CEO, Michelle Whelan, Threshold’s CEO, Vicky Pedicini, Johanna Robinson, National Advisor, Joy James and Helen Goodridge from Pembrokeshire Council, Katie Davies Regional Manager, Ann Williams, Live Fear Free Helpline Manager and Sarah Taylor, Survivor and Campaigner.
The day was not only about launching the new service, but also to build a foundation in Pembrokeshire to work collaboratively with other organisations ensuring that the partnership is able to provide a full holistic circle of support for those who access the services.
To find out more about the Pembrokeshire Domestic Abuse Service click here.
The Lotus Project
Launched in 2022, the Lotus Project was co-produced with survivors and stakeholders with a tag line: SAFETY EMPOWERMENT EVOLUTION KNOWLEDGE (SEEK).
Our service operates from a trauma informed, strengths-based perspective in order to ensure each survivor has consistent yet individualised support throughout their recovery journey. Each survivor who accesses the service has the opportunity to receive specialist support through our Sexual Violence Counselling service, 12-week Lotus group program and one to one sexual violence support. Read more about the Lotus Project here.
Some recent updates include:
- Resources and Self-Help: The team have developed self-help guides for client including information on Boundaries, Self-care, Consent, Guilt and Shame, Self-Esteem, Grounding and Sleeping Well.
- Workshops: We also held a half-day workshop on setting healthy boundaries, that we delivered to our refuge residents in our NPT and Powys refuges.
- The team now deliver monthly Peer Support Coffee and Craft mornings every second Tuesday of the month, at Neath Town Hall from 10-12.
- Trauma Informed Practice: In November, we launched a podcast exploring the wider context of Trauma Informed Practise from frontline, supervisory and systems change perspectives.’ In this episode Moira Hutton (Sexual Violence Service Manager at Calan DVS), explores the nuances of working in a trauma informed way by catching up with three Trauma Informed professionals. Get more details and access to the full podcast here.
Importantly, for the past year we have been working with the University of South Wales to evaluate the Lotus Project and understand the impact our service is having on the survivors we support and the wider Calan DVS team. The full evaluation should be ready to read in January 2024. Thank you to everyone who has taken part!
The work we do with our clients can be so helpful in their healing from trauma. We are proud to be able to share the following feedback with you: –
“So far, the service you have provided has been invaluable. Our sessions have allowed me to be vulnerable and open up without feeling any judgement. You have helped me to unpack my experiences and my emotional responses to gain an understanding of why I have acted in the ways I have; this has allowed me to shed a lot of negative emotions targeted at myself. These sessions have played an important role in me becoming a more self-aware individual and actually be more compassionate with myself.”
The Iris Programme
For the past three years, Calan DVS has successfully been delivering the IRIS programme via funding from Swansea Bay University Health Board, covering 49 GP practices across Swansea Bay, with more than 280 patients referred to date.
IRIS provides specialist DVA training to clinical professionals, alongside administration staff, within local general practices. The training supports clinicians to recognise and respond to DVA, and the programme provides a direct and trusted source for advocacy for patients following disclosure.
Support during the Christmas Period
During the festive season, we feel it is important to highlight that Christmas often brings with it a reported increase in police call-outs for incidents of domestic abuse. Financial pressures, alcohol on tap, trying to create the ‘perfect’ Christmas and being couped up together for long periods all contribute to a regular rise in domestic abuse. Many perpetrators will use Christmas and other factors, such as alcohol, finances or mental ill-health, to excuse their abusive behaviours or, more often than not, blame their victim for the abuse.
The Christmas period causes further difficulties for victims with fewer opportunities to report abuse and routes to safety shut down. School closures for the holidays also mean that opportunities for children to report abuse and access support are restricted. With the perpetrator having greater control during this season and women’s movements being more closely monitored.
An appointment with a clinician may be the only safe opportunity a woman will have to disclose that does not arouse the suspicion of the perpetrator. Clinicians that are IRIS trained will be able to respond appropriately and safely to patients who are suspected of being in violent relationships especially when the patient is worried about speaking out and seeking help. This can be even more complex for patients who are in same sex and transgender relationship.
Domestic Abuse and LGBTQIA+ Victims
Domestic abuse is not limited to heterosexual relationships and within the LGBTQ communities intimate partner violence occurs at a rate equal to, or even higher than that of the heterosexual community.
More than 1 in 10 (11%) have faced DVA from a partner in the last year.* They still face additional barriers when accessing services as well as experiencing discrimination in wider society.**
Victims do not report to the police because they believe it will not help them, furthermore they face homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. Trans individuals may be at an even higher risk. Research suggests between 28% to 80% of trans people had at least one experience of domestic abuse from a partner or family member.***
Sources:
*https://www.stonewall.org.uk/sites/default/files/lgbt_in_britain_home_and_communities.pdf
**https://safelives.org.uk/knowledge-hub/spotlights/spotlight-6-lgbt-people-and-domestic-abuse
***https://ncadv.org/blog/posts/domestic-violence-and-the-lgbtq-community
Specifically developed by members of the LGBTQIA+ community, survivors of domestic abuse and the university of South Wales, our Myriad programme offers a safe space to chat, learn and support each other. It explores the different types of abuse in relationships, the impacts, how to recognise warning signs and what actions to take to keep themselves safe.
Children and Young Peoples’ Programmes
Gender Specific Group Programme
In July, we introduced the Gender Specific Group work programme for children and young people aged 11 – 16 in the Neath and Bridgend areas who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse and who are feeling low confidence and low self-esteem. The programme is a 10-week programme that aims to build self-esteem, communication skills and supports emotional development. Led by young people, it is based around a group project.
The programme is also used as a preventative tool for children and young people who may be at risk from domestic abuse, unhealthy relationships or engaging in risky / challenging behaviours.
Ar Trac Mentoring Programme
Would you like to make a difference to children and young people’s lives?
We are looking for volunteer mentors to work with Children and Young People in Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend as part of our Ar Trac mentoring project.
Our mentors provide one to one support to Children and Young People who have experienced domestic abuse, giving them space away from the family home to focus on their own needs.
If you would like the opportunity to make a difference, please contact katie.samuel@calandvs.org.uk. Read more here.
We are now offering Sand Play through our Drawing and Talking Programme in Powys and Ammanford.
We know that children and young people express themselves in all kinds of ways. Practitioners who have attended the Advanced Drawing and Talking training can offer Sand Play to children and young people. Although they will not be ‘Drawing’, Sand Play uses the same approach as Drawing and Talking and the children and young people will be able to play with the sand tray and accompanying toys. They will then work with the Drawing and Talking Practitioner to tell a story about the sand work that they have created, and we know this helps express and then process their inner world and feelings from within.
The Calan DVS Adverse Childhood Experiences team have recently completed two adult programmes for the Powys, Ammanford and Neath area.The Adult ACEs recovery toolkit is a 10-week programme that has been written to educate and inform individuals about the impact of ACEs on them and their children if they have any. The programme provides guidance on the protective factors that help mitigate the impact of ACEs, and the practical methods for individuals developing the resilience they need for themselves and their children.Participants provided feedback on the programme:“Thank you so much to the both if you for everything. All your advice, understanding and help. You have made me realise there are good people out there”
“You made me feel happy and very grateful I have completed the programme”
“I do not think I would have got where I am today without your help!” Break4Change Programme
Launched in the autumn, the Break4Change is a 10 -week programme that addresses adolescent to parent violence, which consists of two group programmes running parallel: one for parents / carers, and the other for young people.
The programme is designed for parent / carers whose children are abusive, violent or who are using destructive behaviour (including self-destructive behaviour such as: violence towards parents, siblings or pets, school refusal, running away and self-harming). The programme is also for the young people (age 11 – 16) and aims to address this behaviour and reduce the instances of abuse and violence by developing more effective relationships.
The group provides an opportunity for parent / carer and young people to assess the types of relationship they want from each other and explore new ideas and way of relating to one another.
For more information, please click here.
Awards
In the summer, Calan’s DVS’s Head of Operations, Moyra Parfitt, won the award for Supporting Leader of the Year in the Charity Times awards. This win is so well deserved and is a reflection of the hard work, passion and dedication that Moyra gives every day to Calan DVS, our staff and, most importantly, our service users.In the same awards, the Myriad Programme was shortlisted in the Change Project of the Year category; while Calan DVS was a finalist in the Welsh Charity Awards 2023 in the Organisation of the Year Category and up against very stiff competition.
These achievements are an outstanding endorsement of the both the work of our staff and Calan as an organisation.
Regional Campaigns
The Regional VAWDASV (Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse, and Sexual Violence) Partnership has established a Survivor Advisory panel for Mid and West Wales.The purpose of the panel is to bring together survivors and survivor voices, with statutory and provider agencies through a raft of opportunities to inform and influence policy and practice in the region. As experts by experience, the panel will provide a mechanism to ensure the needs of survivors are at the heart of VAWDASV service planning and delivery in Mid & West Wales.The VAWDASV Partnership is inviting anyone with lived experience of violence against women, domestic abuse or sexual violence to come and be involved. To find out more click here.
Regional Safeguarding Week
During Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Week, we shared a number of key messages via the regional theme of Safeguarding in Rural Communities, and reflected on some of the unique challenges this can bring. The week’s activities kicked-off with a virtual session on PREVENT, in which Counter Terrorism Policing experts shone a light on this issue, including how Dyfed Powys Police are able to support people at risk via Channel. For more information about radicalisation, including the signs that someone might be becoming radicalised, visit https://www.cysur.wales/exploitation/radicalisation/
Suicide prevention also remains a crucial focus within the regional and national safeguarding arena. During safeguarding week, PAPYRUS shared a presentation on suicide prevention in young people, including the possible indicators that someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts. We know this is a difficult topic to discuss and encourage anyone affected by this messaging to seek support via the Samaritans on 116 123. For guidance and support services available as part of the regional and national suicide prevention agenda, visit https://www.cysur.wales/resource-hub-dashboard/suicide-and-self-harm/
The regional partners also shared other key information across all social media platforms including:
- Get Help, Stay Safe leaflet which offers support and advice to older people.
- Details of Safe Video Link Evidence Facilities.
- The services offered by BAWSO, a charity which delivers specialist services to, black and minoritised victims of abuse, violence, and exploitation in Wales.
- Bystander initiatives against domestic abuse.
- The importance of young people always making sure they have consent within relationships through the “Is It OK If I Kiss You” campaign.
- Promotion of the Live Fear Free helpline.
During the last day of Safeguarding Week this year we shared details of a regional webinar on the theme of managing risk and trauma after online sexual offending. Focused on detailed exploration of this new practice resource, and led by one of its authors, Dr Natasha Sabin, this session focussed on the wider programme of activity around identifying and responding to sexual abuse in Mid and West Wales. Read more here.
Sound Campaign
Launched by Welsh Government in the summer, the Sound campaign, encourages young men in Wales to learn about gender-based violence and ‘sound out’ their relationships, behaviours, and thoughts with each other. The ultimate aim of the project is to create a sound Welsh society in which we can all thrive. Read more about the Sound campaign here.
National Campaigns
November is traditionally a busy month at Calan and for all domestic abuse charities with a number of campaigns running including the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which started on White Ribbon Day on 25 November and ended on 10 December – Human Rights Day.
White Ribbon Day
This year, White Ribbon Day, 25th November, the message focussed on ending violence against women which can only start when we #ChangeTheStory. The focus is on the everyday choices and actions men can take so that we #ChangeTheStory for women and girls to live their lives free from the fear of harassment, abuse and violence. You can read more about this year’s campaign here.
To mark White Ribbon Day, the Calan DVS Ar Trac team completed a mini gender specific group work programme in a local school. The programme covered emotions, safety, kind and unkind behaviours, relationships, body positivity and safety.
Feedback from the children included:
- You were very kind and we learnt lots
- I enjoyed
- I liked the learning about safety
- They were good at explaining things and included everyone.
To celebrate the end of the sessions the children were provided with goody bags and completed an activity to raise awareness of White Ribbon Day.
Members of the CYP team also attended Priory School in Brecon to raise awareness of White Ribbon Day. The Children discussed being kind and using kind words to all, and the importance of respecting each other. Each child printed or drew around their hand to demonstrate “these hands are not for hurting”.
16 Days of Activism
25 November is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women which kicks off the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign. Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. As a result, the theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign continued to focus on the prevention of violence against women and girls. Read more here.
Throughout these 16 Days, we posted daily updates and awareness posts on our social media platforms to raise awareness of the key issues which this powerful campaign delivers. Some of the key messages included:
- The importance of stopping Honour Violence to build a society where everyone can live without fear.
- Femicide Remembrance Day (6 December) the anniversary of the 1989 ‘Montreal Massacre,’ when a man singled out and murdered 14 women for being female.
- Awareness of the abuse which is known at Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and forced marriages.
- Stalking is illegal and can include being followed or constantly harassed by another person.
- The “Get Help Stay Safe” campaign offering information and assistance to elderly people who may be facing abuse
- Support for victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.
- The effect of domestic abuse on children and young people.
During the 16 Days of Activism, we also shared a video from the Heddlu Dyfed Police Vulnerability Hub about Clare’s Law which explains how individuals can ask the police about a partner’s history of violence through the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS).
The campaign culminated on 10 December, Human Rights Day which this year promoted the message of “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All”. In line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda and Shared Framework, we must address finding solutions for deep-rooted forms of discrimination that have affected the most vulnerable people in societies, including women and girls … among others. Find out more here.
Trustees Week
Trustee’s Week is in November and is a time for charities to come together to celebrate the achievements of over 1 million trustees across the UK. In line with this year’s theme of ‘Many voices. Working together. With purpose’. At Calan ‘DVS we would like to take this opportunity to thank our board of trustees for the continuous positive impact they make to our organisation and we’d like to thank each trustee for their time, commitment, passion and effort they bring to Calan to help us thrive. Read more about Trustee’s Week here
Universal Men’s Day
Universal Men’s Day, an event in November which encourages men to teach the boys in their lives the values, character and responsibilities of being a man. This theme ties in with the Government’s ‘Enough’ programme, a UK-wide initiative promoting the message ‘No-one should live in fear of abuse’. The aim is to encourage everyone to do something to challenge the abuse of women and girls through being part of a change in attitude to abuse by men. You can read more about this campaign and how to make those all-important changes here.
Black History Month
October is Black History Month and, at Calan DVS, we took this opportunity to share information about how domestic abuse affects women of colour. Earlier this year, Very Well Mind organisation published a report highlighting the unique Issues facing black women dealing with abuse, including how they often feel obligated to put racial issues ahead of sex-based issues. See full report here.
A Big Thanks from the Calan DVS Refuges
The Calan DVS refuges provide an environment that is safe and compassionate, giving women the time and opportunity to make decisions about their futures and access our specialist support staff. We provide 1-2-1 emotional and practical support and there is always someone to offer you support and advice, whenever you need it.
We would like to thank all businesses and individuals who have supported our refuges with gifts and donations throughout the year and particularly at Christmas. Your continued support makes a huge and positive difference to the families who are able to benefit from our accommodation services.
At this time of year, we endeavour to make Christmas as enjoyable as possible for our families including decorating the refuges to create a truly festive atmosphere.
Christmas Opening Hours
Domestic abuse never stops and neither does the support of specialist domestic abuse agencies. The teams will be working over the Christmas period and will be able to offer support remotely and face to face for high-risk victims.
Rape Crisis and Live Fear Free Helplines
Rape Crisis England & Wales have a 24-hour support line so survivors can call and speak to a trained staff member at any time of the day. Victims can call on the number below or they can visit the website to start a free online chat here https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/.
Live Fear Free
The home shouldn’t be a place of fear campaign continues to let those at risk of violence, domestic abuse and sexual violence know that help is available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via Live Fear Free – including during the festive season.
There are a number of ways to get in touch with the Live Fear Free helpline and seek help, advice and support – by telephone, live chat, text or email as follows:
- 0808 80 10 800
- 0786 007 7333
- info@livefearfreehelpline.wales
- gov.wales/livefearfree