DEVON County Council (DCC) will launch a new service aimed at supporting victims of domestic abuse next month.

April 1 will see the launch of the council’s new ‘Domestic Abuse Support Service’

The service, which aims to ‘transform how people in the county access and receive support’, will be provided by the Devon Domestic Abuse Alliance, a partnership of seven local organisations.

Each partner brings a wealth of expertise which will help ensure that those in need of the service, their friends and families as well as professionals receive the right advice, information and care at the right time, DCC says.

At the heart of this approach is ‘My Story’, a person-centred approach led by a dedicated support team which aims to avoid individuals being referred to multiple services and then asked to share their traumatic experiences multiple times.

The service will include: A single point of contact offering clear, accessible pathways to support, with phone, text, email, and online chat options to make help easy to reach; specialist teams providing risk management, and safety planning tailored to each person’s situation, as well as whole family support and interventions to address the behaviours of those causing harm; a range of refuge and dispersed safe accommodation solutions and help for people to remain safely in their own home; dedicated one-to-one and group therapeutic interventions and peer support, ensuring survivors receive the emotional support needed to heal; addressing complex needs such as mental health, substance use, and homelessness, including safe accommodation and outreach options and interventions to help those who harm break the cycle of abuse and take responsibility for change.

The Devon Domestic Abuse Alliance is taking over the provision of domestic abuse support from the incumbent provider, Fear Free, which has delivered domestic abuse services in Devon since 2018.

Fear Free remain a key delivery partner within Devon and will continue to deliver other services such as The Devon Interpersonal Trauma Response (ITR) Service and others.

For more information, support, or to refer someone to the service from April 1, 2025, contact 08082 816161