Overview

"We know that communities are often the first to know about abuse and that they can act as gate openers or gate closers in terms of help-seeking" (Finding the Costs of Freedom Report 2014) People within a survivor's community are often the first to know that domestic abuse is happening. But lack of understanding and confidence can make people afraid to talk about it, and unsure of how to respond when someone speaks out. Survivors have told us they can feel judged, silenced or isolated by the people around them. We are changing that through the Change That Lasts Ask Me scheme, developed in partnership between Women's Aid Federation England and Welsh Women's Aid. The project is a simple initiative that equips women and men in Cambridge with an understanding of domestic abuse and how to respond to survivors. This knowledge will enable the community to play an active role in ending domestic abuse. We offer free, online training courses to members of the local community from all backgrounds and identities where they learn about domestic abuse, including its gendered nature, how to challenge the stereotypes surrounding it and how to listen to, believe and direct survivors to specialists support. After the training, ambassadors are given resources and support to share what they have learned with those around them in ways that feel most comfortable to them. They are encouraged to start conversations about domestic abuse that will help others to better understand the barriers that survivors face in speaking out. An ambassador can commit as much or as little time as they can give. Please note that the course is for community members, and is not aimed at professionals.