We are proud to announce that two of our team members, Zulieka Rehman and Sammi Lindop have recently completed a course making them Domestic Abuse Champions.
What is a domestic abuse champion?
As domestic abuse champions, both Sammi and Zuleika will be a point of contact for anyone in the organisation as well as our clients who may be experiencing domestic abuse at home. They will then be able to signpost to local support recourses. Sarah Longley a solicitor specialising in family law is already a domestic abuse champion, having completed her training before she joined Ann McCabe Solicitors in 2022.
Ann McCabe Solicitors is clear in its position that there is never an excuse for domestic violence. It is wrong and no one has the right to abuse or hurt another person. We will not tolerate domestic violence in the workplace or ignore it when it affects our employees and clients.
Our domestic abuse champions are responsible for helping raise awareness and enhance the overall level of knowledge of domestic abuse within Ann McCabe Solicitors.
Being a domestic violence champion shows empathy and a willingness to listen without judgment. These are strong skills that both Sammi and Zuleika hold and they have received positive feedback from their clients stating how they have helped them throughout their cases stating that they felt listened to.
What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse is suffered by both men and women and is not just physical. It is any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between intimate partners or family members reardless of their gender or sexuality. This abuse can be, but is not limited to:
- Physical violence
- Emotional
- Sexual
- Psychological
- Financial control
For those people who may be experiencing abuse at home, the workplace is often a safe place and respite away from their abuser. Therefore, we at Ann McCabe Solicitors feel it is important to have domestic abuse champions who are a point of call that people feel comfortable approaching should they be experiencing any sort of abuse at home. Colleagues can often be the only other people outside of the home that victims talk to each day and are therefore uniquely placed to help spot signs of abuse.
By completing this course, both Zuleika and Sammi are now trained to spot the signs and can sensitively approach the situation and also be open to being approached as our domesic abuse champions.
This will be helpful not only with colleagues but also with our clients. As family lawyers, we often come across clients who have experienced or are still experiencing some sort of domestic abuse and it is important that our clients feel comfortable to be able to talk about experiences in order for our domestic abuse champions to direct them to services that may help.
Who to contact if you are a victim of domestic abuse:
New Era provides services to support victims of domestic abuse and can be contacted 24/7 365 days a year through their confidential telephone line; 0300 3033778 or through their website www.new-era.uk.
They offer free confidential support and one-to-one and group support as well as assistance in accessing accommodation.
Glow domestic abuse victim services (part of the Honeycomb Group) offer a free confidential helpline Monday to Friday 9-5 and can be contacted on 0330 0945559. They also have dedicated helplines which are available 24/7 to assist in seeking safe accommodation;
Stoke on Trent safe accommodation – 01782 817055
Newcastle under Lyme safe accommodation – 01782 713737
Staffordshire Moorlands safe accommodation – 01538 267093
ManKind initiative offer support for male victims of domestic abuse. They have a confidential helpline available Monday To Friday between the hours of 10am – 4pm. Their contact number is 01823 334244. They offer support and provide information on how to report incidents together with advice on how to plan escaping the relationship.
Legal aid lawyers
Victims of domestic abuse should qualify for legal aid to cover their legal costs if you need to apply for protection from the courts.
At Ann McCabe Solicitors we offer free initial advice by telephone but do not offer legal aid.
Local legal aid lawyers dealing with domestic abuse include:
Call us for free initial advice on 01782 627589
About the author
Sammi Lindop is a qualified Paralegal with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and is now training to be a solicitor. She has specialised in family law throughout her legal career, over 20 years. She offers free initial advice by telephone.