Survivors Against Domestic Abuse (SADA) is a service that empowers survivors of domestic abuse and their families to get involved and help to change services. We have changed the name from Stevenage Against Domestic Abuse in April 2020 as the service grew outside Stevenage and we didn’t want victims not to approach us due to them thinking we only working Stevenage.
Alongside the victim-centred approach, we have strengthened our partnership working by working co-operatively. Our early help includes 1-to-1 support for perceived ‘low-risk’ cases. Many people do not want to go to a refuge but need help to stay around friends and families where they have support. Even if people decide to stay with an abusive partner, we can plan for their safety and recognise early the signs of escalation. Victims, survivors and their families do not want to be moved around the Country and stay in refuges – they want to be supported in their own communities or in safe accommodation they can call a home where there family can still visit them.
The SADA service encourages and empowers victims and survivors to make decisions that are right for them, which could include applying for their own orders against perpetrators. We offer support to everyone including men and LGBTQ communities, and for family members experiencing or witnessing domestic abuse, including children.