“Domestic Violence is a cowardly crime that no-one should suffer. The Government has already put in place stronger legal protection for victims, and we are expanding specialised court schemes to make sure that justice is done and victims get the best possible care from criminal justice agencies. I want to congratulate the National Centre for Domestic Violence for offering this important service so that all victims can have access to speedy advice and as a result be better protected.”

“Since its launch in November 2006, which I was privileged to attend, the National Centre for Domestic Violence has gone from strength to strength in widening its activities nationally and rendering swift and effective help and advice to victims of domestic violence in their hour of need. The family justice system owes the NCDV a considerable debt for its work in an area where legal aid is either unavailable or too slow to respond in an emergency situation which the court is too familiar with.

“I have worked in the family courts in the Midlands and elsewhere for some 30 years. During that time the approach of the courts and other agencies to the issue of domestic violence has changed out of all recognition. The speed of this change has greatly accelerated in recent years with major improvements to the law and practice. Despite the breadth and depth of these developments, I have no hesitation in heralding the opening of a Midland’s branch of the NCDV as a major new contribution towards meeting the needs of those for who encounter domestic violence in their lives. I look forward to watching and supporting the work of the new Centre in the confident hope that it will replicate the good practice that has already been achieved elsewhere in the country.”

“I very much welcome the launch of the National Centre for Domestic Violence. We want to get to the position where domestic violence victims are at all times under the active protection of the Law – whether civil or criminal. The National Centre for Domestic Violence is a big step towards that goal, particularly for people with no access to public funds.”

“This scheme is of real value to victims, another tool to assist with a highly emotive problem. The link with the NCDV means police officers are investigating crime and giving victims information about agencies which can give access to civil remedies. When all the agencies work together towards the same goal, we make a very powerful team.”

“The launch of the NCDV in Dorset has been welcomed as a significant step towards protecting some of the societies most vulnerable people, it has provided an opportunity to coordinate the use of both the civil and criminal justice systems not only to make people safer but to make them feel safer.”

“We have not looked back since first using the NCDV service. Our victims now have a fast response injunction service which is the first step to them being able to reclaim their lives and is of huge assistance to us as investigators of domestic abuse. The number of injunctions in existence just on our division has quadrupled in the time we have been using them. The use of NCDV is now identified within Surrey Police procedures as best practice. There is no catch”.

“Our top priority is the protection of victims. The NCDV has a lot to offer in terms of achieving that. ‘There are already a great number of excellent services supporting domestic abuse victims throughout Cheshire. The centre adds another string to the bow. We’ll continue to support all agencies which help protect the victim and strive to bring abusers to justice.”

“Thames Valley Police welcomes the partnership of NCDV in helping victims to escape the trauma of domestic abuse. Would-be perpetrators need to understand that we treat all complaints seriously and that they should expect to end up in a police cell if we receive a call for help from an abused victim.”

“It used to take three, four, five days and upwards – now it will take less than 24 hours to get a person before the courts with a solicitor which the person has been referred to by the National Centre for Domestic Violence and that injunction will instantly be put in place within 24 hours.”

“This new infrastructure and support increase the safety of victims and their families – and ultimately gives them the chance to take back control of their lives.”

“The partnership with the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) will help police officers in protecting victims and their families from abusers. Officers of Kent Police and in particular the public protection units will be able to refer victims to the NCDV for advice, which will help them start to rebuild their lives free from violence and abuse. The partnership means that police officers will be able to help victims seek free legal advice quickly.’

“We are very excited to be launching this partnership with the National Centre for Domestic Violence, the ability to be able to offer victims quick and easy access to legal advice and support in obtaining injunctions is a great step forward in the way in which they are able to take steps to protect themselves and their dependents. The fact it is free of charge to the victim ensures the barriers to obtaining security based on ability to pay have been lifted. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

“Our primary concern remains the protection of victims and we think the NCDV has a great deal to offer in this regard. Taking positive action to arrest and prosecute defenders, we will be using the services of the Centre and encourage victims to do the same.”

“Protecting victims is of paramount importance to us. NCDV can do a lot to help us achieve this. Working with the NCDV and our partners means that we will be able to provide an even more supportive service.”

Lee Markwick – Welfare & Representation lead for the Referees’ Association
“Our evidence reveals that football referees regularly suffer physical, verbal and mental abuse at their games in front of other children and adults, and yet very few people challenge this abusive and unacceptable behaviour due to the culture in football. Worryingly some of these perpetrators might be taking their abusive behaviour into their home, and yet no one questions or challenges them at a football match. When Domestic Abuse is identified people then come forward stating ‘they should have seen the warning signs’. We do not want our young officials growing up thinking the abuse they suffer at a football match is acceptable. We are also aware some of our referees might be witnessing Domestic Abuse at home, but due to the treatment they suffer at games become desensitised to abusive behaviour. The Referees’ Association champion the work of the National Centre for Domestic Violence and believes everyone at a football match needs to understand the Safeguarding issues that apply to our officials young and old.”

The University of Law. NCDV is extremely proud of its close relationship with ULaw, many of their students will work as volunteers with us and most of our full-time staff have successfully completed their LPC with them. 2016 also brings us closer as NCDV has embarked on a sponsorship process supported by The University of Law helping students progress their career.

Dr Matthew Humphrews, Director of Education, School of Law, University of Surrey.“The Law School at the University of Surrey fully supports the McKenzie Friend training scheme and all the work being done by NCDV. Many of our students have worked with the scheme and project, gaining valuable skills and at the same time helping victims of domestic violence.”

“The work that the National Centre for Domestic Violence is doing is tremendous, particularly as it is addressing a huge need, namely the support of Domestic Violence Victims who cannot support themselves financially and provide a fast and effective solution, for people in severe need.  Just another amazing piece of the DV jigsaw which is slowly forming a more organised, cohesive solution to this massive social problem.” To find out more, go to their website.

Surrey Women’s Aid. “We at Surrey Women’s Aid have worked with the Centre for some time now and the relationship has proved invaluable both to us and our clients. We enclose NCDV cards in all our information packs which are given to every new outreach client as well as promoting the service via our 24-hour domestic abuse helpline. As a result, our clients now have immediate access to free legal advice and many have gone on to be granted desperately needed injunctions within 24 hours. As far as we are concerned, the NCDV is absolutely vital and we congratulate them on providing such an excellent service.”

Call Navigator helped NCDV design and build our current switchboard. This bespoke system allows us to have access to detailed call statistics 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To find out more, go to their website

“Throughout our association with NCDV, the clients we have referred to them have invariably received speedy, efficient and helpful service, which in many cases has empowered the victims of Domestic Abuse and enabled them to move on with their and their children’s lives. As a Domestic Abuse worker, I have always been able to contact NCDV and obtain clear and accurate answers to any queries regarding our clients’ cases and other related matters. We are grateful that NCDV has taken on the vital role of assisting victims of DA to secure civil injunctions with a minimum of delay and expense to clients and hope that the service will continue to develop and expand.”

Siobhan Sinnerton, Director and Producer of Channel 4 Dispatches documentary (“When did you last beat your wife?”). “From the moment we met I knew that you were 100% committed to victims of domestic violence, and I saw with my own eyes the amazing service that you provide to them. Others may sit around complaining but you and your team actually do something concrete to help people in dire straits. I was incredibly impressed by your work.”

Nick Ross, former Crimewatch Presenter. “Domestic violence is one of the most common forms of crime and, for several reasons, one of the most pernicious. Most marriages and long-term relationships create angry exchanges at times, and the best research (mostly by women as it happens) suggests females can give as much as they get. But this humdrum discord should not distract from the fact that when bullying becomes severe it tends to be repetitive – repeat victimisation can be rampant – and has a special hold on those who suffer because it happens in the home.  It often feels as though there is just no place to turn. That’s why this initiative is so important and why I am so pleased to support the National Centre for Domestic Violence.”

Lisa Voice, Music Producer. “I am working with the charity, National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV), to break the silence surrounding the awful and unnecessary violence men and women suffer from. Having endured domestic violence myself, nothing gives me greater pleasure to help all I can.”

Ursula James, Visiting Teaching Fellow, Oxford  University Medical School. “The NCDV is an organisation which provides an invaluable service to people who would otherwise find themselves in real difficulty finding the legal assistance they need at a very traumatic time. Its commitment to service and efficiency means that each individual is treated as a person, not a case, and they get the support necessary to changing their lives. I wholeheartedly support the work of the NCDV and, until the day there is no need for such an organisation, look forward to seeing a centre in every city in the UK.”

Kerry Daynes, Consultant & Forensic Psychologist. “I am very proud to be a Patron of the National Centre for Domestic Violence.  We all learn from an early age that danger can lurk in dark alleyways and lie with strangers; but our senses are not naturally on red alert for those closest to us, the people we expect to support and protect us. This betrayal of trust is just part of what makes domestic abuse so psychologically devastating for the victim. It is common for men or women who have become the victim of abuse within their own homes to feel as though they must be somehow to blame, and to feel helpless to stop it. It is NOT their fault. They are NOT powerless. The swift and practical assistance that NCDV provides to anybody in need of their help, and the emotional support and understanding that comes with it, is invaluable in changing this mindset and empowering clients to start their journey towards safer and happier lives.”

I feel extremely proud to be supporting The National Centre for Domestic Violence.

Domestic abuse is a cowardly crime and has always been around. However, today’s society now accepts that domestic abuse is not just something to ‘get over’ or ‘brush under the carpet’ like it used to be. We have become more aware of the damaging psychological effects domestic violence has on its victims and it is just downright wrong.

Here is where NCDV comes in. NCDV allows victims to have somewhere to turn to by supporting them to get the legal advice they deserve so that they can escape this abuse irrespective of their financial circumstances. No one should suffer in silence. Whether it is physicaI, verbal or emotional abuse, I feel very strongly that domestic violence should be given more awareness because victims STILL do not feel that they can speak out. You CAN speak out, and NCDV is there to help!

If you are in an abusive relationship, there are LAWS that can help you escape. NCDV provides effective and swift legal support to those who are suffering and I feel honoured to be a part of such an influential, rapidly growing and hard-working organisation.

I am extremely impressed by your work NCDV and I hope to visit again soon.