Domestic Abuse Service ..
Who is suitable for referral to the DA Service?
Any women who has experienced, or is currently experiencing, domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse isn’t just being punched or kicked, there are a range of things that people can do to abuse others, which have nothing to do with physical violence.
Agency and self-referrals are accepted by WAITS
If you would like to refer in person, please contact us by phone on 0121 440 1443 or email us via support@waitsaction.org for an electronic referral form.
Domestic Abuse Serviced Explained
If you are in immediate danger please call 999
For 24hr help please contact the Refuge Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247
The abuse is not your fault; you are not responsible for someone else’s actions.
You do not have the ability to change your partners ways.
One in every four women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives; you are not alone!
Domestic violence is against the law, and new laws to protect you are being established.
We (and other agencies) are always here to support you.
What do we offer?
One-to-one support: You will be assigned a support worker who will work with you on a one-to-one basis to devise a support plan of your goals and needs, and help you to achieve these goals and access support for any additional needs you may have.
Unlike some of the other organisations, WAITS are not time-bound, meaning we can support you until you are ready to move on.
Advocacy: supporting you with making difficult/important phone calls, speaking on your behalf if you feel unable to do so- ensuring you have a voice even when you feel most vulnerable.
Agency Co-ordination: Some women, especially those with multiple and complex needs find themselves having to repeat their stories over and over again, or may feel overwhelmed when having to arrange lots of different appointments.
If you are receiving support from WAITS, we will help to organise and co-ordinate all the agencies involved in your care, so you can concentrate on the more important bit!
Workshops: For more information on our workshops click here
These are just a taster of some of the support that we offer.
What happens next?
When we receive your call or referral form we will contact you on a withheld number and ask if you can talk- at this point you can hang up or pretend we are a nuisance call (we will go along with it).
When you are able to talk call us on 0121 440 1443 we will arrange an assessment appointment for you here at the office.
Address: Wesleyan Building, 3rd Floor East, Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AR
We aim to assess you within 5 working days of receiving the your call / referral.
The assessment involves completing a form, with the help of a support worker who will take you through it step by step.
The assessment form takes around half an hour to complete. This form covers things such as confidentiality and information sharing, your support needs (e.g. if you need counselling or a befriender), and who we should contact in case of an emergency.
Assessment & support
The assessment will tell us if, and how, we can best support you:
If our services are suitable for you, you will be assigned a support worker who will provide one-to-one support sessions (which might mean going to meetings with you, helping you to claim benefits, applying for suitable accommodation or just to simply have a chat).
If our services do not best meet your needs, we will signpost you to the appropriate agency and ensure that the referral is picked up for you.
Keeping yourself safe
You may be reading this feeling that you are not ready to leave, or need some time to think about what steps you want to take. Or, you may have made the decision to leave. Either way, your safety is the priority!
Refuge.org.uk provides some very useful information for keeping safe whatever your circumstances:
- Keeping safe if you’re still living with the abuser
- Keeping safe if you’ve left your partner, but are still in danger
Some useful websites to visit if you are unsure of whether or not your partner’s behaviour constitutes abuse:
- www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence
- www.safelives.org.uk/policy-evidence/about-domestic-abuse
- www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-violence-and-abuse
If you feel you are being abused, and would like some support, you can self-refer to our service by clicking here
If you are currently in danger and need to seek refuge please
click here
WAITS staff & trustees
Our team is made up of a dedicated and committed team of women from varied backgrounds that share our common Vision & Mission.
This includes full-time, part-time and sessional staff as well as our volunteers and the Board of Trustees.
We also work with a range of other agencies to provide holistic support, ensuring that all of the individual’s needs are met.
A valued fundraiser team
WAITS Ambassadors are a group of innovative and forward thinking people, diverse in their backgrounds, experiences and skills.
But the one thing they do all have very much in common is a passion for helping women who are in crisis!
They provide invaluable fundraising ideas; and then plan, organise and facilitate these ideas, helping us to raise funds to support women in crisis.
Making it all possible
WAITS receives sponsorship and support from a variety of sources and just some of them are featured on this page.
We have also been recipients of awards for good practice and engagement and some of these will be listed on this page.
WAITS has worked with women for almost 30 years. “Women with the power to make and influence decisions and make positive change”
