During our Focus Week on International Women’s Day we have put a spotlight on Domestic Abuse which is a significant problem in our local area.

Domestic abuse can have an enormous effect on your mental health. It is well accepted that abuse (both in childhood and in adult life) is a significant factor in the development of depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders, and may lead to sleep disturbances, self-harm, suicide and attempted suicide, eating disorders and substance misuse.

New Era is the holistic domestic abuse service operating across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

New Era offers help to all those affected by domestic abuse, and provides free confidential support for victims, perpetrators and their families. It provides support for victims – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – and specialist help is available for all victims when they need it most. The service also has a live webchat facility, available day or night:

  • New Era aims to end relationship abuse through a range of individual and group support for adults, children and young people (aged 4-17) for as long as they need it.
  • Specially trained New Era staff can help you, whether you’ve made a report to the police or not.
  • New Era provide a range of advocacy services, including help with obtaining non[1]molestation and other orders, housing issues, advocacy with the police and other statutory services, child contact matters and accessing counselling and other services.
  • New Era has dedicated specialist advisors working exclusively with LGBT+, BAMER (Black Asian Minority Ethnic and Refugee) and male victims.

More information about the New Era victim services can be found in a series of leaflets available to download from the Victim Support website: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/staffordshire/

Services for perpetrators wanting to change their behaviour – or anyone displaying unhealthy or abusive behaviour within their relationship and wants support to change this – can access help from New Era perpetrator services. These are available to everyone.

New Era can also help children under 16 years of age who need support with relationships-based behaviour and one-to-one guidance around healthy relationships.

New Era provide free online training courses, for any businesses or organisations across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent. Topics include ‘Understanding Domestic Abuse’, ‘Impact of Domestic Abuse on Children and Young People’ and ‘Understand and Respond to Domestic Abuse’.

The confidential helpline for victims is 0300 303 3778 (24/7).
The confidential helpline for perpetrators: 01785 904 770 (normal office hours)
The website is www.new-era.uk.

Stacey Walsh, Assistant Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead, said: “Domestic abuse has a sharp impact on children and it is an all too common issue that we have to deal with. The role of schools is extensive in terms safeguarding and domestic abuse has been a specific focus with our students this week. It is very much a responsibility for us to safeguard the welfare of children, but if any families are experiencing difficulties here we can direct them to appropriate support like New Era. Equally, we want to ensure that all of our students recognise the responsibilities, care and parameters in healthy relationships so that they avoid falling into a relationship beset by domestic abuse.”