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    Supporters

    Supporters

    NCDV is thankful to have the kind support of numerous organisations and individuals from diverse sectors. Some of these supporters are shown below.
    Supporters 1

    Keith Fraser

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    In January 2018, Keith Fraser was appointed as a member of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, and in April 2019, was appointed as the Chair. Keith is also the Non-Executive Director/Trustee at The Work Force Development Trust Limited, a board member for the Ministry of Justice Race and Ethnicity Board, an advisor for the National Police Chiefs Council for Digital Engagement Project for Young People, and Chair of Employability UK and a trustee for Sport Birmingham. Keith was made a Commissioner for the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities on 16 July 2020.

    Prior to this, Keith was a Superintendent and Chief Inspector in the West Midlands Police, having joined as a Constable, during which time he produced the 2016-19 Preventing Gang Involvement and Youth Violence strategy.

    ‘I have a passion for raising awareness and stopping Domestic Abuse and have been involved for over 20 years. I have led innovative research into improving the police response to Domestic Abuse and led police Domestic Abuse teams. I wholeheartedly support the National Centre for Domestic Violence and its aim to protect victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence and also to help people identify the early signs of domestic abuse, make decisions for a better life and to make domestic abuse socially unacceptable’.
    Supporters 2

    Vicky McClure

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    It is vital that victims of domestic abuse have a safe space to talk. There is a way out and NCDV are there every step of the way.
    Supporters 3

    Noelle Holten

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    Noelle Holten is an author and award-winning blogger at www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk she also worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years, covering a variety of risk cases as well as working in a multi agency setting. She has three Hons BA's - Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice, A Diploma in Probation Studies and a Masters in Criminology. Dead Inside - her debut novel with One More Chapter/HarperCollins UK is an international kindle bestseller and the start of a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson. It was inspired by her own experience of domestic abuse.

    “Since leaving my job as a Senior Probation Officer in 2017 and being a domestic abuse survivor myself, I wanted to be involved in supporting agencies, charities and other survivors. I came across the NCDV on social media and was immediately drawn to the incredible work they do in changing the narrative, supporting and giving survivors a voice - I wanted to be a part of that and I'm delighted that the NCDV have given me the opportunity to do so.”
    Supporters 4

    Luke and Ryan Hart

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    Our story shows how difficult and dangerous it can be to escape from domestic abuse. Only days after we’d facilitated the escape of our mum, Claire, and 19-year-old sister, Charlotte, from our coercively controlling father, he shot and killed them both.

    We didn’t have the understanding or the help we needed at the time. NCDV are helping to make this crucial stage safer and easier when victims need it most.
    Supporters 5

    Becky O'Brien

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    Becky O’Brien, BGT Singing Sensation, is arguably best remembered for bringing TV’s harshest talent judge, Simon Cowell, to tears with her rendition of “Over The Rainbow”. Becky has toured extensively across the globe with various shows & has also had the honour of performing at some wonderful venues including the Edinburgh Fringe, Disneyland Paris, Various Theatres from America to China, but possibly her favourite to date is The London Palladium. Since 2017 Becky has toured her solo shows internationally & has performed her tribute show “A Garland for Judy” in London’s West End and on 42nd Street, Broadway and is looking forward to an upcoming tour around the USA in 2021. Alongside her stage career, Becky is the Survivor Ambassador for the domestic abuse charity, Women’s Aid UK and patron for The Freedom Programme. “Why didn’t you just leave?” I think I have lost count of how many times I have heard this question asked of not just myself, but of so many victims suffering Domestic Abuse. What many people don’t realise is that when a victim chooses to leave their abuser, they are at heightened risk of violence and even fatality. As a Survivor of Domestic Abuse I know only too well how important it is to be protected when trying to leave the relationship safely. It’s time we raise awareness of the issues surrounding domestic abuse and help people realise that help is out there to support them and assist them to make a safe exit from a dangerous situation. This is why I wholeheartedly and actively support NCDV. They are a vital link for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and can help them obtain the protective orders they need to safeguard themselves and any children they may have.
    Supporters 6

    Jennifer Gilmour

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    I am proud to support National Centre for Domestic Violence and actively share the vital work they do to provide legal protection to those fleeing an abusive relationship. The work they do to raise awareness helps victims know they are not alone and can reach out for support. "You don't need a bruise to be a victim" offers an all-important reassurance to those in emotionally abusive relationships, something that I know only too well.

    Jennifer Gilmour is an author and advocate for women in abusive relationships, using her own experiences of domestic abuse as a catalyst to bring awareness and to help others. Jennifer has published two publications, Isolation Junction and Clipped Wings which have both been Amazon Best Sellers and received awards. Jennifer speaks at events across the UK and continues to raise awareness through her blog posts, public speaking, TV & radio interviews and social media.

    Jennifer has listened to her readers and has grown a digital community to support discussions around domestic abuse online. Starting with her Twitter Chat which opened late 2017 called #AbuseTalk, this developed into an online forum in 2018. In 2019, Jennifer launched a podcast that includes interviews with those in the sector and those with lived experiences.

    Most Informative Blogger Award 2018 (Bloggers Bash Annual Awards)
    UK & European Award for using Social Media for Good 2019 (Social Day: Social Media Marketing Awards)

    Jennifer says: “Together we are Louder”.
    Supporters 7

    Min Grob

    Founder of CCChat Magazine
    a free online magazine on and around coercive control
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    When you have reached that point, where it becomes necessary to take out an injunction, it can be an incredibly scary place to be. It is great that there is a service around that offers victim survivors help in navigating the law and to make it easier to navigate for someone who is likely highly anxious and distressed.

    Visit https://www.coercivecontrol.co.uk
    Supporters 8

    David Challen

    domestic abuse campaigner and keynote speaker
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    David successfully campaigned to free his mother Sally Challen, from prison in February 2019, in a landmark appeal recognising the lifetime of coercive control she suffered. David continues to speak out against violence against women, coercive control and recognising women’s experiences in the criminal justice system. NCDV are delighted to welcome David as an official supporter of our organisation.

    “It is astoundingly special to be asked to become an official supporter of NCDV. NCDV acknowledge the legal aid barriers that exist for victims of domestic abuse and help to provide the legal support these people need to protect themselves. I am a firm advocate of the greater need for legal support for victims of domestic abuse as legal aid cuts are creating horrendous barriers to access to justice for vulnerable victims”.
    Supporters 9

    Homefinder UK

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    Homefinder UK helps social housing applicants including many domestic abuse survivors find safe, secure and affordable housing. As such, the excellent legal support that NCDV provides to domestic abuse survivors is much applauded and appreciated by Homefinder UK. Homefinder UK knows that anybody they refer to NCDV will be in good hands and clients will gain the legal support they need to help protect themselves and their families. Homefinder UK is proud to support NCDV and work to the common goal of helping domestic abuse survivors move forward with their lives.
    Supporters 10

    Department for Works & Pension

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    Dept for Works and Pensions (DWP), fully support National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) and the service they provide to this very vulnerable group. DWP support many customers, suffering from Domestic Abuse, so referring them on to NCDV, enables us to engage and help further, this vulnerable group, beyond their Benefit’s entitlements and much more.
    Supporters 11
    Supporters 12
    Supporters 13

    Operation Encompass

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    When victims are suffering at the hands of their abuser they need free, clear and easily accessible support and information. NCDV's expertise in dealing with Emergency Protection for victims can be the centre of a victim's focus. Operation Encompass and NCDV share a common ethos and a commitment to support all victims of domestic violence and abuse at their time of need. Through Operation Encompass the information shared from Police to Schools enables child victims of domestic abuse to receive immediate support. NCDV provides adult victims the necessary legal support to protect themselves and any child victims.

    Elisabeth Carney-Haworth OBE. David Carney-Haworth OBE
    Supporters 14

    Netmums

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    Netmums is clear that assistance for victims of Domestic Abuse is crucial. As the UK’s most diverse, inclusive and supportive parenting community attracting millions of unique users on site every month, Netmums is aware how great this need is. Netmums knows the NCDV is an extremely knowledgeable service striving to respond rapidly to victims of domestic violence and abuse. For victims, knowing the NCDV can navigate the civil courts well and who are ideally placed to advise on other services they may need is fundamental to getting the right level of support. Netmums is proud to support the NCDV and can see that this service really does make a significant difference.
    Supporters 15

    Northumbria University

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    Northumbria University is proud to support the National Centre for Domestic Violence. The incredible work of the NCDV aligns closely with our research into the practical experiences of domestic abuse survivors and families in the family and criminal justice systems. We hope that our shared experiences, together with those of the people we support, can help people, develop court practice and increase service provision.
    Supporters 16

    The Community Safety Podcast

    Podcast
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    I fully support the work undertaken by the NCDV. When I was a serving police officer I found the care and support they provided for victims outstanding. We must all continue to promote the amazing work undertaken by all NCDV staff on a daily basis. We also need to keep raising awareness around domestic abuse, we all play a part in eradicating this terrible crime.
    Supporters 17

    Alpha Vesta

    Community Interest Company
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    Alpha Vesta are a Community Interest Company founded in 2019 by Lucy Whittaker with a very strong foundation and mission statement of 'breaking the cycle of domestic abuse through awareness, prevention and early intervention in the workplace'. They deliver on their mission by creating lots of awareness across communities and within workplaces around domestic abuse and its complexity. They deliver lots of talks and presentations as well as provide both fully-funded and private training sessions in domestic abuse and the different complexities that often sit around it. Alpha Vesta support employers and workforces to build a strong culture of understanding within their organisation and guide them through training and consultancy services to embed robust policies and procedures. You can visit their website and find out more about their training on www.alphavesta.com. The NCDV provide invaluable support to those that may need to utilise the civil court system to obtain a protective order. As we know, not all cases of domestic abuse will progress through the criminal justice system for a variety of different reasons and accessing the support and guidance of the NCDV in these circumstances could make an enormous difference - bridging a gap in protection.
    Supporters 18

    Rising Girl

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    Rising Girl are a Birmingham based charity that empower girls and young women to rise through education. Our Rise Together UK programmes have inspired and educated thousands of girls, teaching them how to deal with important issues such as self-esteem, forced marriage and domestic violence. Our partnership with NCDV will allow us to give young women the support network they need if they are a victim of domestic violence or abuse
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    By Fiona Bawden, Times Online (8th May 2007)

    “Steve Connor, a student at City Law School, is a man on a mission. Six years ago he was a fairly directionless 27-year-old. Today, as well as taking the Bar Vocational Course, he is chairman of the National Centre for Domestic Violence, a ground-breaking organisation that he dragged into existence after a friend could not get legal help to protect her from an abusive partner.

    Connor’s route to the Bar has been circuitous. In 2001 he returned from a year in Australia (he says that he would not dignify describing it as a gap year), and took a job as a process server in South London. The job (“I just saw it advertised in the paper”) was not quite as dull as it sounds. On one occasion he was threatened with a machete, on another, he was nearly stabbed by a man he had arranged to meet on Clapham Common to serve with a non-molestation order: “He’d seemed really friendly on the phone…”

    The turning point in his life came when a friend, who was being abused by her partner, turned to him for support. Connor went with her to the police. She did not want to press criminal charges so the police suggested that she visit a solicitor to take out a civil injunction. “We must have seen 12 solicitors in a morning. We just went from one to the next to the next to the next. Everyone was very eager to help until we sat down to fill in the forms for the legal aid means test,” he says. The woman, who had a small child, did not qualify for public funding. But, Connor says, her financial situation as it appeared on paper did not bear any relation to her financial situation in reality. “She had a part-time job and she and her partner owned their home. Yet she didn’t have any money. Her boyfriend was very controlling and controlled all the money; he kept the chequebooks and didn’t let her have access to the bank account.”

    The injustice of the situation got under Connor’s skin. “I just couldn’t believe that there was no help available to people who did not qualify for public funds but could not afford to pay.

    I just kept feeling that this must be able to be sorted if only someone would address it.”That “someone” turned out to be him.

    In 2002, thanks entirely to Connor’s doggedness, the London Centre for Domestic Violence was formed. It started out with him and a friend, but is now a national organisation, covering 27 counties, and has helped approximately 10,000 victims last year to take out injunctions against their partners.

    NCDV now has nine full-time staff, 12 permanent volunteers and has trained over 5000 law and other students as McKenzie Friends to accompany unrepresented victims into court. We have also trained over 8000 police officers in civil remedies available regarding domestic violence. The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) has branches in London, Guildford and Manchester and is on track to have branches in 16 areas within the next two years.

    NCDV specialises exclusively in domestic violence work and could be characterised as a cross between McDonald’s and Claims Direct. The high degree of specialisation means that its processes are streamlined: clients can be seen quickly and the work is done speedily and cheaply. “Sometimes, we will have one of our trained McKenzie Friends at a court doing 10 applications in one day,” Connor says.

    Clients are not charged for the service. NCDV staff take an initial statement: clients who qualify for legal aid are referred to a local firm; those that don’t get free help from the centre itself. It runs on a shoestring, heavily reliant on volunteers and capping staff salaries at £18,000 a year.

    Steve expects to qualify as a barrister this summer and hopes that having a formal legal qualification will give the centre added clout. “We are already acknowledged as experts and consulted at a high level, so I thought it would be helpful if I could back that up by being able to say I’m a barrister,” he says. He is just about to complete a one-year full-time BVC course at the City Law School (formerly the Inns of Court Law School) and, all being well, should be called to the Bar in July. Although Connor sees his long-term future as a barrister, he says that he has no immediate plans to practise. “I want to get NCDV running on a fully national level. Then I may take a step back and have a career at the Bar.”