1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime – many of these on a number of occasions.
On average women experience 35 incidents of domestic abuse before they report it to any professional agency.
Every year 1 million women experience at least one incident of domestic abuse.
One incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute.
On average, 2 women a week are killed by a current or former male partner.
The Domestic Abuse Resource Team (DART) offer confidential, practical and emotional support to female and male victims of domestic abuse age 16+.
Our Support Workers will assist you by providing information and advocacy in order for you to make positive changes. An initial meeting will be arranged in order to establish your priority needs and a plan of action will be put in place with your agreement, in order to start addressing these needs.
By working with partner agencies, support workers will help you to access wider services as identified in your support plan, which could include:
- Securing emergency refuge accommodation
- Housing
- Financial advice
- Mental Health e.g. anxiety and depression
- Drug and alcohol support services
- Legal advice
- Counselling
Recovery Programmes
Delivered over 12 weekly sessions, the Freedom Programme examines the roles played by attitudes and beliefs on the actions of abusive men and the responses of victims and survivors. It also describes in detail how children are affected by being exposed to this kind of abuse and very importantly how their lives are improved when the abuse is removed.
The Domestic Abuse Recovery Toolkit is a 12 week programme that helps participants understand the impact of having experienced domestic abuse, explaining how they were prevented from leaving an abusive relationship and the thinking patterns they developed as a method of managing the risk which can hold them back moving forward. The individual’s own strengths, resources and coping skills and resilience are reinforced contributing to their own health and wellness on a long-term basis.
What other services can assist?
Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVA) also work within DART.
The Community IDVA supports high risk victims of domestic abuse with safety planning in order to quickly reduce risk.
The Court IDVA also supports high risk victims of domestic abuse but specialises in supporting victims and survivors accessing the criminal justice and family court systems.
DART work alongside local agencies and organisations in order to maximise the response provided to victims of domestic abuse. We operate from two sites; the Teulu Multi Agency Centre, a town centre one stop shop where co-located organisations provide drop-in sessions and support to female victims during office hours. And the Voluntary Action Centre, located centrally to public transport links, where support is offered to male victims. Both venues are fully accessible for disabled people.
Contact us on (01685) 388444
Freephone 0800 3897552 (free number will not appear on your telephone bill)
Text or call: 07539 170396
If you require support outside of office hours then please contact:
- The Live Fear Free Helpline 0808 8010800
- Police by dialling 101 or in an emergency dial 999
If you would like information in Welsh please contact a member of the team.
Os hoffech unrhyw ran o’r wybodaeth hon yn Gymraeg, cysylltwch ag aelod o’n tîm.
Simultaneous translation is available in multiple languages.
In order to deliver its support services to victims of domestic abuse, Safer Merthyr Tydfil recognises the contribution, support and funding from:
- Welsh Government
- Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
- Lloyds Bank Foundation
- South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner
