Welcome to Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS). LDVS works with women, men and families in Leeds, offering emergency accommodation, support, advice and advocacy. LDVS supports anyone experiencing domestic violence and abuse and actively encourages people from LGBT+ communities to access our support.

For help and support:

  • Call the 24 Hour Helpline on 0113 246 0401
  • Email administration@leedswomensaid.org.uk
  •  Online chat – available Monday to Friday 1-3pm – go to the Leeds Women’s Aid homepage ( http://www.leedswomensaid.org.uk ) to access a confidential online Live Chat for support and help 

LDVS Position Statement in relation to COVID-19
Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS) is a partnership of 3 specialist services in Leeds: Leeds Women’s Aid, Behind Closed Doors and Womens Health Matters, delivering the local authority commissioned community and emergency accommodation-based services.


We want to update you on how we’re responding to the challenges of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The outbreak means we’re facing unprecedented times.


We’d like to reassure you that, LDVS are working hard to continue operating most of our services.
Our refuges remain open as does the 24/7 helpline, IDVA service and Community DV Practitioners. Drop-ins at GPs and other locations and groups are temporarily suspended.
Most support is being undertaken by telephone, facetime or by conference call, however some face to face contact is still happening.


Our Services:
We are continuously reviewing our contingency plans to reduce risk and make sure our staff are protected and our services continue. We’ve already taken a range of steps to maintain our services, including:

Refuge Services:
• Where possible refuge sites will be staffed by at least one member of staff, but following social distancing with at least a 2-metre distance
• Advice in relation to safeguarding vulnerable groups will be followed
• Posters displayed at entrance and all communal spaces.
• All communal spaces cleaned daily
• Supplies of dried and tinned food/toiletries bought
• Supplies of hand sanitiser/cleaning products/paper towels and tissues bought and provided to residents and displayed in communal areas and for staff
• Staff to observe 2- metre distance advice with residents where face to face contact is required
• Residents are routinely being provided with telephone support with notices displayed
• Residents provided with advice and assistance to access emergency support and services when required
• Referrals are still being accepted, however we have amended our referral and assessment criteria to ask additional screening questions re travel and general health


Community Services:
• 24/7 helpline still being offered along with email support. We are also looking into ‘live chat’ services
• Alternative methods of support to clients is being offered by the Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy (IDVA) Team, Community DV Team (CDVT)and Group workers
• Some services are being offered remotely using computers and mobile phones, accessing secure cloud-based case management systems
• Regular updates provided to relevant agencies – police, social care
• Call conferencing used for essential MARAC/FDSH and other multi-agency work as agreed by all stakeholders
• IDVA services still continue, offering telephone support, with some urgent face to face court hearings being offered on a risk assessed case by case basis (being reviewed daily)
• CDVT staff will at present continue to attend appointments and court hearings and wherever possible carry out the appointments that are in the diary
• Drop ins and groups are postponed and support is being offered in other ways as appropriate; over the telephone, over video call, over email, and in addition WHM staff are creating resources and support packs, with links to content online and other information
• Weekend Domestic Abuse Car postponed
• Children & Young People’s workers have developed packs for the children and face time is being used with those who are self-isolating
• Early Help Hubs – our DV Practitioners, as per guidance, is operating remotely but are still undertaking their normal duties, such as home visits.

If you need our support, please call 0113 246 0401 or email administration@leedswomensaid.org.uk.

Please stay safe and well.

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About

Our mission is to protect people in Leeds from the damage that domestic violence can inflict on their lives. We believe that everyone has the right to live their lives free from fear and harm.

We will achieve this by providing women and men with choices from a range of community based services, including temporary supported housing, IDVA (independent domestic violence advocate) support, community outreach support, a telephone helpline, drop-ins and support groups.

Our 24hr helpline is open to everyone – whether you want some emotional support, to refer yourself, or someone else into the service – you can ring anytime to speak to a friendly trained advisor. 

 

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Our Services

We offer a variety of services to support anyone experiencing domestic violence in Leeds.

If you want help, advice or to refer yourself please call the Helpline on 0113 246 0401 which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Alternatively CLICK HERE to send us a message.

Members of the public can call our 24 hour helpline any time – 0113 246 0401

How Agencies Can Refer

Should any agency wish to make a referral they need to complete a referral form and email this to ldvs.referrals@lwa.cjsm.net. The Referral From is available to download on Resources tab of this website.

If you are particularly concerned about any individual who you have assessed as High Risk then please refer the case to the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) as well.

Drop-In Service

We run regular, discreet drop-in services across the city.  Our drop-in worker will offer confidential, emotional and practical support, including information about your rights and space to talk through your options. No appointment is necessary – you can just call in – and you don’t need to give your name.

For more information about where the drop-ins are held, please call the helpline or email us.

24hr Helpline

LDVS operates a 24 hour telephone    support line. Call us at any time for    emotional support and information on LDVS or other services. Calls can be anonymous.

Emergency Accommodation

LDVS offers safe and secure emergency accommodation if you are experiencing domestic abuse. We can accommodate people from Leeds or anywhere else within the UK. You will receive support from our experienced workers in dealing with the effects of domestic abuse, as well as help with practical issues such as benefits and finances, accessing other specialist agencies, and housing.

Community Domestic Violence Team

Our Community DV Practitioners will provide regular practical and emotional support on housing, benefits and budgeting, safety planning, health and  social care, and community  engagement. In addition we can accompany you to   solicitor’s appointments and support you in attending the Family Courts. We can liaise with agencies on your behalf to ensure that you receive specialist support in areas such as drug and alcohol dependency, mental health, and  children’s education and well being.

IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocates) Team

Our IDVAs will support you if you need immediate crisis or safety advice and will focus on reducing your risk. We will provide legal advice and advocacy on a range of issues within family and criminal law. This can include advice on injunctions,         children’s matters, divorce, liaising with the police, and we can support you at criminal court if you have to give evidence at a trial.  Our IDVAs will offer short or long-term support depending on your needs.

Group Support

We run a number of support groups for women in different locations around the city.  The groups offer a safe space for you to meet others who have been through or are going through similar experiences.  Week by week we talk through issues that affect our safety and wellbeing and the safety and wellbeing of those around us.  We know that women are the experts in their own situations and that with the right support women themselves will find the best way to move forward and get the best out of their lives and relationships.  We offer signposting, advice and referrals for other support where it is needed.

 

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