By Karen Ross, Health & Additional Needs Specialist
AFF is seeing a steady increase in relationship breakdown cases. And several have involved some form of domestic abuse, whether it’s physical or sexual, threatening, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic, psychological or emotional abuse.
Research from the National Centre for Domestic Violence suggests domestic abuse incidents increase by 26 per cent when the England team plays.
So, in light of the World Cup, we explore some of the specific support out there for those in the Armed Forces community who are, or who have experienced, domestic abuse.
It’s defined as any single incident, course of conduct or pattern of abusive behaviour between individuals aged 16 or over who are personally connected to each other as a result of being, or having been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.
Defence and Army support
The MOD has published JSP 913, a whole Force policy on domestic abuse, which states clearly that domestic abuse will not be tolerated, that the MOD will continue to promote a culture where it has no place and where those impacted will be effectively supported.
The Army has a specific Domestic Abuse Awareness Champion, currently Maj Gen AJ Smith. It also has a Domestic Abuse Working Group (ADAWG) on which AFF is represented and can raise awareness of the issues that victims and survivors are experiencing. This group feeds back to the MOD Domestic Abuse Working Group (DAWG) of which AFF is also a part.
The Army Welfare Service (AWS) plays a vital role in supporting individuals affected by domestic abuse. Following a recent impact analysis, it has partnered with SafeLives to develop specialist training for unit welfare teams, AWS staff and other pastoral support, strengthening responses for both survivors and alleged perpetrators.
Alongside this, AWS is collaborating on a behaviour change programme and a national directory of support services. With a new online self-referral form, accessing confidential support from AWS has never been easier, so help is only a click away. Please contact the AWS Intake and Assessment team or call 07813 019490 for more information.
There is also a specific webpage on gov.uk – Domestic abuse: guidance and support for the Armed Forces community. This site hosts a video titled Domestic Abuse and MOD Support.
The Discover My Benefits Families Hub also has links to domestic abuse support under the ‘safeguarding’ section.
The Army engages drama group Narrative Alchemy to perform the play Beyond The Warzone to units. We encourage you to contact your local welfare team to see when they are hosting this. Adult family members are encouraged to attend.
North-east Hampshire Domestic Abuse Military and Civilian Police Support Group meets quarterly for military and civilian police and wider support services to share best practice and work together to ensure that all military families experiencing domestic abuse feel able to access the help and support they need.
Wider support
Aurora New Dawn uses advocacy, a dedicated helpline service and recovery group work to provide specialist, independent practical and emotional support to victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking.
Support is available to victims who are serving in the Army, Navy or RAF, or family members who are victims where the perpetrator is serving. aurorand.org.uk/armed-forces/
There’s also a helpline for support and advice on 0333 0912 527.
SSAFA’s Stepping Stone Home provides safe, female only supported housing for women and children from the Armed Forces community who are experiencing domestic abuse and/or homelessness. The charity also has a domestic abuse outreach service providing confidential support. ssafa.org.uk
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and Police and Crime Commissioner-funded Rushmoor Citizens Advice Nepali Domestic Abuse Project provides free and confidential support to Nepalese victims of domestic abuse, for serving Gurkhas, veterans and their families worldwide.
Project RISE, delivered by Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) and funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, provides specialist trauma-informed support for the Armed Forces community in North Yorkshire. idas.org.uk
ManKind Initiative is a national charity that provides support for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence. Its helpline is staffed by trained people who give practical information and emotional support to male victims, their families, colleagues and friends.
It regularly receives calls from male victims of domestic abuse in the Armed Forces – currently serving, ex-servicemen and civilian staff. It also has a military-specific ACORN recovery programme for male survivors and can deliver free training to the Armed Forces. Email ACORN@mankind.org. uk for details of this. Mankind.org.uk
Safe & Supported Scotland is a new initiative by Scottish Women’s Aid and Victim Support Scotland, which will build on the successes of the Free from Fear programmes in England and will benefit Armed Forces personnel.
They will be able to access specialist domestic abuse training, including topics such as tech and economic abuse. Direct support to victim-survivors is also provided. More information about all of the support available can be found at aff.org.uk under Family Life. You can also contact healthsupport@aff. org.uk
If you’re from a Foreign & Commonwealth family, AFF can provide one-to-one, free and confidential immigration advice and support, which is offered in any location in the UK or overseas. Contact fcsupport@aff.org.uk.