Hairdressers, priests and even Avon reps will be recruited and trained to look out for possible victims of domestic violence as part of a scheme to help women trapped in abusive relationships.
Women’s Aid, a domestic abuse charity covering England, in partnership with Welsh Women’s Aid, is calling for people whose work embeds them in communities to become ambassadors and reach out to those being victimised by partners.
The participants will be asked to be alert to warning signs of domestic abuse, such as non-physical coercive control. If they believe someone could be in danger they are asked to give individuals advice on available local services.
The scheme was launched on Wednesday. At first it will be run as a pilot in three areas across England and Wales, with the aim of extending nationally, as part of the effort to identify, early on, women experiencing domestic abuse. The scheme is funded through Comic Relief and money from the now defunct tampon tax.
The Ask Me pilot scheme arose after Women’s Aid workers discovered that victims of domestic abuse often reported that people in their local communities had missed opportunities to help them.
Fifty community ambassadors will be selected for each area and will be given two days’ training to help them understand and spot the signs of domestic abuse, and direct women towards further help and support. They will not unilaterally call the police over any suspicions.
Asked who the ideal candidate for the job would be, a spokesperson for Women’s Aid said: “I guess really a hairdresser would be ideal. There’s a lot of small talk that happens there and relationships built. Also in religious communities as well, if there is a priest or a rabbi or somebody that someone can confide in. Obviously, their job won’t allow them to go to the police but they can give advice [about] what to do. It’s really important for Women’s Aid to reach the religious communities as well.”
Women’s Aid hopes to attract interest also from community and voluntary sector workers, local community champions, Jobcentre workers, community centres, food banks, youth centres, criminal justice agencies, court personnel, children’s centre staff, health and education professionals, housing offices, and drug and alcohol services.
Businesses taking part in the scheme will display a sign that shows they provide a safe place for talking about the abuse.
Registration for the scheme is open from Wednesday for professionals in the pilot areas, which include Brighton & Hove and East Sussex; Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Hammersmith and Fulham in London; and Powys, Wales.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Women’s Aid in England, said: “Many women live with abuse for years without telling anyone and often have contact with several agencies or people in their local community before they get help. These women have few opportunities to disclose their abuse because their space for action is extremely limited.
“Therefore, when an opportunity occurs, it is vital they receive the right support. Most people are not open to hearing that abuse is happening, or do not know how to respond appropriately. Our Ask Me initiative will equip individuals in local communities with the basic skills, knowledge and tools to have a supportive conversation and provide an appropriate response.”
Eleri Butler, chief executive of Welsh Women’s Aid, said: “Living with abuse in rural areas means survivors are further isolated and it’s vitally important they have effective routes to safety and support. So we are pleased to be working in partnership with Women’s Aid in England, to pilot how local community ambassadors in Wales can help increase understanding of domestic abuse and [indicate] support provided by the Wales Live Fear-Free Helpline and specialist services.”
