At DAVSS, we provide free, confidential and tailored support to people aged 16 and over who are affected by domestic abuse across West Kent.

We recognise that domestic abuse looks different for everyone. Our support is needs-led and based on individual circumstances, risk, safety and choice. We work alongside people to help them understand their options, increase their safety and regain control over their lives.

Support for adults

Our specialist support includes:

• Information, advice and support through our Support Hub, available Monday to Friday, 10am–4pm, alongside 24/7 messaging and online support. (01892 570 538)
• Individual, tailored support delivered face-to-face, by telephone or online, at locations and in ways that are accessible and appropriate for the person we are supporting.
• Specialist risk assessment, including assessment in line with recognised national standards, to help identify risk and inform appropriate safeguarding and safety planning.
• Personalised safety planning, supporting adults to understand risk and consider practical steps to increase their safety and that of their children.
• Advocacy and support through the criminal and family justice systems, including support to prepare for and attend court, meetings and other appointments.
• Support to Court, helping clients understand the process, prepare relevant information and documentation, and feel better equipped to participate in proceedings.
• Multi-agency advocacy and coordination, including referrals to and representation at the West Kent Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) where appropriate.
• Legal information and advice, including access to free appointments with our pro bono lawyer and, where appropriate.
• Practical support and advocacy, including assistance with forms and paperwork, interpreters where funding permits, and support to access housing, benefits, debt advice, health, social care, legal and other specialist services.
• Referrals and supported connections to other agencies and voluntary organisations, recognising that domestic abuse can create isolation and make it difficult to access support independently.
• Peer and recovery support, providing opportunities for people to connect with others, rebuild confidence and develop tools for moving forward.

Programmes and recovery

We provide structured programmes designed to support people to understand domestic abuse, rebuild confidence, develop resilience and make positive changes in their lives.

These include:

• Own My Life – a 12-week programme supporting women to understand domestic abuse, recognise its impact and develop tools for moving forward.
• DAVSS Reclaim & Rebuild – a 6 weeks recovery-focused programme supporting participants to rebuild confidence, identity and independence following domestic abuse.
• Recovery Toolkit – practical resources and support designed to help adults and children understand their experiences and develop strategies for recovery and wellbeing.
• Children and young people’s programmes, recognising that children and young people can be significantly affected by domestic abuse and may need their own age-appropriate support and opportunities to process their experiences.

Working with children and young people

We recognise children and young people as victims in their own right and provide preventative and supportive work designed to help them understand healthy relationships, recognise abuse and develop the knowledge and confidence to seek help.

Our work includes school-based workshops, assemblies and targeted programmes, alongside resources and support for professionals working with children and young people.

Prevention, education and awareness

Preventing domestic abuse and increasing understanding across our communities is an important part of our work.

We provide training, workshops, presentations and awareness-raising activities for schools, professionals, businesses, community groups and partner organisations. We work with local communities to challenge myths and misconceptions about domestic abuse, promote healthy relationships and ensure people know where and how to access support.

Partnership working

Domestic abuse rarely sits within one area of a person’s life. We therefore work closely with statutory, voluntary and community organisations across West Kent to ensure people affected by domestic abuse can access the right support at the right time.

This includes working alongside the police, social care, health services, housing, legal services, education and other specialist and community organisations. We also participate in multi-agency initiatives and One Stop Shops, helping to make support more accessible and joined up.

Our approach

We put the person we are supporting at the centre of our work.

Our support is:

Confidential – we respect privacy and handle information responsibly, while acting where safeguarding responsibilities require us to do so.

Person-centred – we listen to what each person needs and what matters to them.

Needs-led – support is determined by individual circumstances rather than a one-size-fits-all model.

Risk-informed – we identify and respond to risk using recognised approaches and professional judgement.

Choice-focused – wherever possible, people are supported to understand their options and make informed decisions about what happens next.

Inclusive – we support people affected by domestic abuse regardless of gender, sexuality, background, disability or circumstances.

Holistic – we recognise that domestic abuse can affect safety, housing, finances, health, relationships, parenting, employment and emotional wellbeing, and we work with people to address the issues that matter to them.