Escape in the country
NWAL is the commissioned domestic abuse support service and we work across Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood.
We are experienced in;
- Living in these areas with our families
- Travelling around the locality
- Delivering support in the area
- Working with local partners and seeing the array of service options
- Listening to survivor’s experiences of abuse whilst living in these rural areas
This provides us with a unique insight into how elements of rural living, attitudes and stigma around living in a rural space can provide a rich environment for abuse to live and grow without intervention.
We understand that when people think about rural crime their thoughts can often be related to agriculture, animals etc.
NWAL want to ensure that people are aware that domestic abuse can and does occur in these settings; geography does not change the ability for perpetrators to choose to be abusive for their ongoing pursuit for power and control. Geographical settings and attitudinal beliefs about these settings can and do affect how perpetrators operate for example, NWAL have experienced;
- The physical isolation that reinforces the feelings of isolation created by domestic abuse.
- Perpetrators may have more ‘legitimate’ access to items which can be used as weapons such as farming equipment.
- Sheer physical distance away from amenities and support, knowing that survivors are more likely to disclose to a professional and signposted to a domestic abuse specialist service.
Some survivors do not ‘live’ in rural space but choose to participate in activities in rural spaces such as owning large animals, hobbies and pursuits such as horseriding, walking etc.
NWAL acknowledge and discuss with survivors around realistic actions that survivors and NWAL can put into place to reduce possible risk. NWAL are passionate about reducing risk not reducing survivor choice or restricting their life choices.
The NCRN report attached below was created in 2019 and NWAL supported with that, in relation to their recommendations;
NWAL;
- deliver face to face visits including home visits when assessed as safe in regards to the abuser.
- endeavour to deliver group programmes in rural safe community locations.
- manage two refuges within the service area.
We do not assume any person has easy or any access to such ‘connectors’ such as;
- Frequent / effective transport
- Internet / strong phone signal
- Physical communities / bystanders
- Multiple services which are open ‘typical office hours’
We work closely with our partners and commissioners to amplify the voices and needs of survivors.
Supporting survivors where they are at, physically and emotionally.
We acknowledge the strength of word of mouth in regards to people knowing about domestic abuse and the support options that are available to them. So, when you can please let people know about the existence of NWAL, and the support we can offer.
We are always striving as an organisation to learn from
- the survivors we work with and for
- the communities we work within
- the partners we work beside
If you have any feedback about how we could improve our service delivery please let us know,
If you would like us to speak at a local community event please use the info below.
You can do this by writing to us at;
The Farr Centre
Westgate
Chapel Walk
S80 1LR
Phone number: 01909 491330
Email: enquiries@nottswa.org
Or use the enquiry function on the website