Relationships Shouldn’t Hurt

The cost-of-living crisis is impacting everybody in some way, but it has been particularly difficult for survivors of domestic abuse. The chief executive of Women’s Aid has described its impact as devastating and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner has called it ‘a national emergency’. Listen to Nikki and Helen from the Central Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse team talk to Clare from Women’s Aid in Luton about how the cost of living crisis is impacting those experiencing domestic abuse, as well as options for support services and advice for accessing help and support. If you require a written transcript of this episode, this is available at https://bedsdv.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/FINAL-CBC-VERSION-Cost-of-Living.htm

National statistics tell us that one in three women and one in seven men will experience domestic abuse within their lives. Police recorded 1,500,369 domestic abuse related crimes in the year ending March 2022. Listen to Nikki and Helen from the Central Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse team talk to Clare Edwards, Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor (IDVA) at Victim Support, about how people can support their friends and family members who they know are experiencing domestic abuse. If you require a written transcript of the podcast, this is available at the Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (BDAP) website.

*Please be aware that this episode deals with topics that some listeners may find very difficult. Support is available at www.rapecrisis.org.uk or www.bedsdv.org.uk National statistics tell us that one in four women and one in eighteen men have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult, with 67,619 rapes recorded by police in the UK in 2022. Listen to Nikki and Helen from the Central Bedfordshire Council Domestic Abuse team talk to Debbie Liverpool, Emerald Centre Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), and Claire Knight, Independent Sexual Violence Advisor, about the support that is available to those who have experienced sexual assault or trauma. If you require a written transcript of the podcast, this is available at the Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership website.

According to research from ManKind Initiative, 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Police data shows that 26% of domestic abuse crimes are committed against men, which is equivalent to around 155,000 offences per year. Listen to Sian from the Central Bedfordshire Council Domestic Abuse team talk to Mark Brooks, Chairman of ManKind Initiative, and Mikey Ronnie, Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA), about the prevalence of male domestic abuse and where men can go for help. If you require a written transcript of the podcast, this is available at the Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership website.

Tracy from Central Bedfordshire Council speaks with Daniel, Joanne and Lia, who are all Domestic Abuse Responders from Central Bedfordshire Council. The group discuss the Domestic Abuse Responders programme and share further details about the role and responsibility of a DA Responder. If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic abuse or the issues raised in this podcast, you can contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247. You can find details of local and national support services on the Get Help page of our website here. If you are a professional working in Central Bedfordshire, and would like to attend the Domestic Abuse Responder Workshop, please email [email protected]. If you are in immediate danger, please call the Police on 999.

Jayne from Central Bedfordshire Council speaks with Martyn from the Early Childhood Partnership, Jenny from Victim Support and Lisa from Luton Borough Council. The group have a discussion about the 16 Days of Action Campaign against Domestic Abuse and why Domestic Abuse is everybody's business.  If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic abuse or the issues raised in this podcast, you can contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247. You can find details of local and national support services on the Get Help page of our website here, including further information relating to the following services that were mentioned in today's episode: Early Childhood Partnership - 01234 341977 Victim Support - useful resources Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership website If you are in immediate danger, please call the Police on 999.

Nina from Central Bedfordshire Council speaks with Lee, a Sexual Health Practitioner who also ran the LGBT+ specialist support service in Bedfordshire, Lisa, Central Bedfordshire Council's Senior Youth Worker and Galop's National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline Manager. The group have a discussion about domestic abuse within LGBT+ relationships and the support available to those affected. If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic abuse or the issues raised in this podcast, you can contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247. You can find details of local and national support services on the Get Help page of our website here, including further information relating to the following services that were mentioned in today's episode: Galop - National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 999 5428 If you are in immediate danger, please call the Police on 999.

Nina from Central Bedfordshire Council speaks with Katie from the Central Bedfordshire Council Housing Team about Domestic Abuse and the support available for housing. If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic abuse or the issues raised in this podcast, you can contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247. You can find details of local and national support services on the Get Help page of our website here, including further information relating to the following services that were mentioned in today's episode: Women's Aid - [email protected] Respect - Mens Advice Line - 0808 8010327 Central Bedfordshire Homeless Application  Domestic Abuse Resettlement Team (DART - Impakt Housing and Support) - [email protected]  Dogs Trust Freedom Project - 020 7837 0006 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)/[email protected] Bobby Scheme - 01234 842619 For more information about Protection Orders, you can listen to our Protection Orders podcast here. If you are in immediate danger, please call the Police on 999.

Tracy from Central Bedfordshire Council speaks with Sarah from Luton All Women's Centre about Female genital Mutilation (FGM) and the local and national support available. If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic abuse or the issues raised in this podcast, you can contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247. You can find details of local and national support services on the Get Help page of our website here, including further information relating to the following services that were mentioned in today's episode: Luton All Women's Centre - 01582 416 783  Karma Nirvana - 0800 5999 247 / [email protected] Southall Black Sisters - 0208 571 9595 IKWRO Women's Rights Organisation - 0207 920 6460 For more information about Protection Orders, you can listen to our Protection Orders podcast here. If you are in immediate danger, please call the Police on 999. This episode has been dedicated to our late colleague, Lucky Begum. Lucky made an incredible contribution to improving the lives of many women in the area and we would like to thank her for her passion and dedication to her work.

Tracy from Central Bedfordshire Council speaks with Sarah from Luton All Women's Centre about forced marriage and the local and national support available. If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic abuse or the issues raised in this podcast, you can contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247. You can find details of local and national support services on the Get Help page of our website here, including further information relating to the following services that were mentioned in today's episode: Karma Nirvana - 0800 5999 247 / [email protected] Southall Black Sisters - 0208 571 9595 IKWRO Women's Rights Organisation - 0207 920 6460 For more information about Protection Orders, you can listen to our Protection Orders podcast here. If you are in immediate danger, please call the Police on 999. This episode has been dedicated to our late colleague, Lucky Begum. Lucky made an incredible contribution to improving the lives of many women in the area and we would like to thank her for her passion and dedication to her work.