Haven have been awarded £17,798 by the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, to work on a new project aimed at preventing domestic abuse in South Yorkshire.

 

The fund was heavily oversubscribed, with over £760,000 worth of applications received during August. A total of £200,000 has been awarded to 13 organisations across the region, focused on projects addressing the primary and secondary prevention of domestic abuse. 

Our project will be using an innovative ‘whole school’ approach within Sheffield primary schools with children (aged 7-11), and school staff to adopt a ‘Bystander Model’.

This builds their understanding that ending domestic abuse is everyone’s responsibility, raises awareness of the signs of abuse and empowers them to intervene safely (where appropriate) and access help/support to start the process of culture change within individual relationships, families, communities and agencies.

Rachel Staniforth, Head of the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit said:

“The successful recipients are about to embark on some excellent and challenging work across South Yorkshire, engaging with a range of people to promote healthy relationships and engage with individuals to prevent domestic abuse from happening."

“There is a real focus on attitudinal change and encouraging others to speak up if they know that someone is being abused or living in a home where abuse is happening.” 

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said:

“Violence and abuse in the home is recognised as one of the great scourges of our time. It impacts not only on the men and women directly affected but also on the children and young people who see it happening within the home.

“There is then a danger that it is seen by them as ‘normal’ behaviour and they repeat it in their own adult relationships. It also impacts on them day to day, affecting their schooling and setting back their emotional development."

“I am pleased that the Violence Reduction Unit is able to fund organisations that help not only the victims of abusive behaviour but also the perpetrators and, crucially, the young people who may witness it. In this way we contribute towards breaking what is otherwise a revolving door of unhealthy relationships.”

.