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.
