FearLess recommissioned to provide vital domestic abuse support

Wiltshire Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner are continuing their productive relationship with FearLess, as the domestic abuse support service has been recommissioned to provide services in the county.

FearLess, formerly known as the Splitz Support Service, has been working across Wiltshire for more than 30 years and following a recommissioning process they will be continuing this work through its new domestic abuse service.

The new service will build on and expand their existing offer, delivering holistic support to victims, survivors, their children, and those who behave in a harmful way. Research indicates that up to 80% of perpetrators were victims of abusive behaviour as children, with FearLess working proactively to break the cycle of abuse.

The new provision incorporates safe accommodation services delivered through its partners GreenSquare Accord, high risk support services, group-work, and recovery services.

FearLess will also be developing its whole family approach to addressing domestic abuse, through a new Children and Families Team. In addition, the service will provide specialist services to victims of stalking through an Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC) and will support victims through the criminal justice system, with a specialist Court Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA).

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Public Health, said We have enjoyed a very positive working relationship with FearLess over the years and we're pleased to be continuing this partnership and developing it even further so that together we can support as many people as possible.

One of our most important responsibilities, that runs through the heart of our Business Plan, is that Wiltshire is place where we are safe. So, the work we do with FearLess is vital, and together we'll look for innovative ways to ensure that the people who need it get the support quickly.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: Making sure victims receive the high level of support they need is key to the work my office does and is at the centre of my police and crime plan.

It's absolutely crucial that the support networks are in place for victims and our strategy has been to increase the availability and accessibility of these services across the county, especially for those who may feel uncertain or unable to make contact with our criminal justice partners.

It's equally important that we work with perpetrators to reduce re-offending, and break their cycle of abuse and stop the harm they cause. The long-term benefits of this work speaks for itself.

FearLess has proved they can deliver these programmes and through our funding alongside Wiltshire Council, we hope that they can continue to make Wiltshire a safer place to live

Director of Service at FearLess, Emily Denne, said: FearLess is incredibly proud of our Wiltshire Service, which recently achieved its Leading Lights accreditation, evidencing the exceptional service it delivers to victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse. We are thrilled to continue running this phenomenal service and look forward to developing and expanding it over the coming years

More information about the services that FearLess provide can be found at https://www.fear-less.org.uk/ (opens new window).