Plus, a reminder of why the Free from Fear programme is so needed…
“In Defence, we are in a particularly vulnerable position to be abused by partners. Whether you are the serving half of the relationship or not, or if you both are, isolation from our support network due to posting and moving around is commonplace among our community. We experience different sets of challenges as part and parcel of military life.” – MOD victim-survivor
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has funded another six projects under their Free from Fear programme, worth a total of more than three quarters of a million pounds, to further strengthen much-needed support to victim-survivors of domestic abuse in armed forces communities.
The military context
Those facing domestic abuse in armed forces communities often face additional challenges such as:
- economic dependence on the serving person
- isolation from wider family support due to posting locations
- non-UK partners of armed forces personnel being dependent on their partner for their immigration status
- perceptions around rank when raising concerns, or a worry that chain of command won’t support the victim-survivor.
The Free from Fear programme prioritises understanding of the military context, ensuring any additional challenges are considered.
What’s been funded?
The awards encompass many forms of support, including culturally sensitive support for Nepalese families of serving personnel; work to strengthen the local authority response to domestic abuse in serving communities; an online programme for armed forces men who’ve experienced abuse and even holistic work for perpetrators to change their behaviour.
A base for support
“The unique environment of serving personnel and their spouses make intervention of an already hidden crime even harder.”
Following on from their award under last year’s programme, which focused on support in Herefordshire, West Mercia Women’s Aid has received funding to expand their Penelope Project to cover RAF Shawbury and RAF Cosford.
Helen Richardson, Head of Client Services at West Meria Women’s Aid talks more about the trust they’ve built with the community.
“The Penelope project enables military serving personnel and their families to access confidential and independent domestic abuse advice and support from specialist workers who understand domestic abuse and who also understand the military world. A key feature of the project is building trusted relationships with key personnel in what has been an understandably guarded environment.”
Support for male victim-survivors
One in five men have experienced domestic abuse, amounting to 41% of all victim-survivors. However, only 4.8% of people being supported by domestic abuse services are men, according to SafeLives data.
“The stigma attached to the thought of coming forward to seek help for what had happened, not just as a man, but as an experienced serviceperson, compounded the stigma and made it more difficult.” – MOD victim-survivor
The ManKind Initiative charity focuses on supporting male victim-survivors through giving them a voice, and through raising awareness of their needs.
Now, with funding through Free from Fear, they will deliver much-needed training and awareness courses for armed forces personnel, welfare staff, military charities and other relevant organisations, alongside an online programme.
“This much welcomed funding will enable the ManKind Initiative to deliver our life changing ACORN Recovery Programme for male survivors of domestic abuse. It is essential in raising awareness, providing the survivors with a voice and a safe space to share their experiences with others. It will help them, and their children, move forward to live a life free from fear and harm.” – Marilyn Selwood, ManKind Initiative
Positive steps for perpetrators
“To tell somebody that you would be that angry with somebody that you would be literally three or four centimetres from their face, and a woman, […] to admit that to a third party, face-to-face, just the thought of it now scares the life out of me, quite frankly.” IPVA Perpetrator
Across the East Midlands, Freeva are working to help those perpetrating domestic abuse to change. It’s a journey that requires dedication and perseverance but can positively affect victim-survivors. Their range of support helps perpetrators to better manage their emotions, strengthen relationships and move on from their abusive behaviour for good. They offer one-to-one partner support alongside, which is tailored to meet their needs and includes emotional support, safety planning and signposting to professional support.
Janice Keene, from Freeva explains: “At Freeva, we understand that service life can bring unique challenges, and for those experiencing domestic abuse, reaching out for help can feel even harder. This funding gives us the means to offer specialist, confidential support to the armed forces community.”
Improved paths to support
Focusing on the wider pathways to support, SafeLives have been awarded a two-year grant to help victim-survivors of domestic abuse, by taking a Whole Picture approach in four local areas across England and Scotland. This means looking at the whole person and the whole family, joining up services so that survivors are safe, supported, and able to recover.
Rosie May, Trusts and Grants Manager at SafeLives, explains: “With this grant, survivors will be supported to share their lived experience with local councils, Police and Crime Commissioners, Armed Forces Covenant Leads, domestic abuse services, and other professionals in family support and safeguarding roles. At SafeLives we work with agencies across the system to find what works and help it happen – so every adult and child survivor gets the right help at the right time.”
Seek help
If you or someone you know is a victim-survivor of domestic abuse in the armed forces community – whether physical violence, sexual abuse, economic abuse, emotional or other types of abuse – a full list of the awards made under the Free from Fear programme is available on the Trust’s website www.covenantfund.org.uk