Domestic abuse does not only affect the person experiencing abuse directly. Parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, colleagues and other people within a person's support network can also experience significant emotional, psychological and practical impacts when someone they know is affected by domestic abuse.
Loved ones and others within the wider support network can find themselves trying to support someone they care about while managing fear, uncertainty, guilt, stress and complex family dynamics. They may feel powerless, isolated or unsure about what to say or do. They may also carry information about abuse or risk without having a safe and appropriate space to talk about their own experiences.
Domestic abuse can also have a significant impact on people in the workplace. A victim or perpetrator may disclose their experiences to a colleague or manager because they trust them or feel unable to speak to anyone else. The person receiving the disclosure may then be left feeling worried, responsible or overwhelmed, without knowing how best to respond or where to seek appropriate guidance.
For some families, domestic abuse can also result in significant disruption or loss of family relationships. Grandparents and other relatives may experience reduced or no contact with children or grandchildren, leaving them feeling isolated, distressed and powerless while worrying about the wellbeing and safety of those they love.
Despite the significant impact domestic abuse can have on the wider network, there are limited services specifically designed to support those affected indirectly.
LODA provides a safe, confidential and supportive space where individuals can access specialist support, develop their understanding of domestic abuse, explore their own emotional wellbeing, develop coping strategies and receive appropriate guidance and signposting.
LODA provides confidential 1:1 support delivered by trained, trauma-informed practitioners with experience in domestic abuse, safeguarding and behaviour change.
A safe and confidential space to talk through experiences, concerns and emotions.
Developing an understanding of domestic abuse and its wider impact on individuals, families, friendships, communities and workplaces.
Understanding coercive control and the dynamics that can make abusive relationships difficult to leave.
Exploring emotional responses such as fear, guilt, anger, grief, frustration, anxiety or helplessness.
Understanding the impact of secondary or vicarious trauma and the importance of looking after your own wellbeing.
Developing healthy coping strategies and building emotional resilience.
Exploring boundaries and how to provide safe and appropriate support to a loved one, friend or colleague. Taking into account confidentiality and information sharing.
Understanding what may be helpful and what may unintentionally increase risk or place additional pressure on the person experiencing abuse.
Exploring concerns about risk and safeguarding.
Understanding how to respond appropriately when someone discloses domestic abuse.
Supporting individuals who may feel responsible for helping someone they care about but are unsure what they can realistically do.
Exploring the challenges faced by colleagues, managers and professionals who may be supporting someone following a disclosure.
Supporting individuals to understand when concerns may need to be escalated through safeguarding or other appropriate procedures.
Considering the impact of losing or having limited contact with children or grandchildren.
Supporting individuals experiencing grief, distress or isolation as a result of family relationships being affected by domestic abuse.
Providing guidance and signposting to specialist domestic abuse, safeguarding, mental health, workplace or other relevant services where appropriate.
LODA does not replace specialist support for the person experiencing domestic abuse. Instead, it aims to strengthen the wider support network around them while ensuring that victim safety and risk remain central to the work.
Where someone has disclosed abusive behaviour or identified themselves as the person causing harm, support will be provided with appropriate consideration of risk, safeguarding and the potential impact on anyone experiencing the abuse. LODA does not provide perpetrator behaviour change intervention through this programme.
Domestic abuse creates a ripple effect that can extend far beyond the immediate relationship between the person experiencing abuse and the person causing harm.
The impact can reach across entire families, friendships, communities and workplaces.
For grandparents and extended family members, the impact can be particularly profound. Domestic abuse, coercive control and family conflict can result in loved ones becoming isolated from one another, sometimes leaving grandparents with little or no contact with their grandchildren.
This can create a significant sense of loss and grief, while also leaving family members worried about the wellbeing and safety of the people they care about.
For colleagues, being the person someone confides in can also create a significant emotional and practical burden. They may be worried about a colleague's safety, concerned about children or other family members, or unsure how to respond if they believe someone may be causing harm.
They may feel angry with the person causing harm, frustrated with the person experiencing abuse, or confused about why someone does not simply leave. They may also struggle with the emotional impact of being unable to see or support children or grandchildren they love.
Without appropriate support and understanding, people within the wider network may unintentionally respond in ways that increase risk, place additional pressure on the person experiencing abuse, or negatively affect their own wellbeing.
LODA recognises the important role that loved ones and wider support networks can play. By providing early intervention, information and emotional support, LODA aims to help individuals better understand domestic abuse, manage their own wellbeing and provide safer, more informed support.
We recognise that loved ones and others within the wider support network may have their own experiences of trauma, abuse or difficult relationships. Where appropriate, we will support individuals to identify their own needs and access additional specialist services.
LODA aims to support individuals to:
If you would like to find out more about LODA or discuss whether the service may be appropriate for you, please contact Healthy Relationships Awareness Centre CIC. We can provide information about the programme, discuss your circumstances and explain the referral process.
General enquiries: contact@healthyrelationshipsac.co.uk
