Support for victims of domestic abuse will be available over Christmas at Sandwell General Hospital
Posted on December 16, 2009
Filed Under Domestic Violence, Health, Midlands West | Comments Off
Domestic abuse victims in Sandwell are to be offered on-the-spot advice this Christmas at a hospital’s accident and emergency department, in the first group of its kind in the West Midlands.
The Sandwell Organisation Against Domestic Abuse (SOADA), based at Sandwell General Hospital, will offer expert help to those experiencing abuse at home.
“With Christmas around the corner we traditionally see a surge in cases of domestic abuse due to extra financial strains, increased alcohol intake and family pressures,” said Imran Varachhia, SOADA lead domestic advisor at Sandwell Hospital. Therefore it’s important that people don’t suffer in silence, and at the very least we are here if they want to talk.”
SOADA representatives will work alongside hospital staff offering help with safety planning, housing and refuge provision, benefit advice, counselling for adults and children, legal advice, injunctions and court support.
Digital photographing of injuries to forensic standard is an additional service for those clients who do not wish to involve the police force.
The photographs are securely stored by SOADA for six years.
They can be used at a later date if the victim then chooses to.
The multi-agency team will comprise of professionals from Sandwell Primary Care Trust, Sandwell Council, Sandwell Homes, West Midlands Police, children’s and adult services, Sandwell Women’s Aid, solicitors, the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and counselling services.
SOADA has offered its service since December 2005, but it is the first time it has based its service in a hospital setting.
“We want to encourage staff to make immediate referrals when domestic abuse is identified in order to offer clients a timely and appropriate service,” Imran said.
The only similar scheme being run nationally is a project running in hospitals in West Sussex.
The service, which will also be rolled out at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust’s City Hospital site in 2010, can be contacted on the SOADA 24-hour confidential helpline 0845 359 7525.
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