01793 655113 
01793 652409
Investor Programme - Aim 1
Domestic Violence
The aim is to promote the well being of young men, women and children whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. To reduce the prevalence of domestic violence through increased service provision, education and raising awareness
The objects of this aim are to take a preventative approach and:
- to support young victims of domestic violence in rebuilding their lives through supporting services such as housing, counselling and skills training
- to promote and improve educational and counselling services available to children who have experienced / witnessed domestic violence
- to address the specific issues surrounding BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) groups and domestic violence through the provision of relevant services
- to reduce and prevent domestic violence through education and awareness-raising in schools, and the running of perpetrator treatment programmes
More often than not domestic violence is hidden crime that goes unnoticed. Most are surprised by the number of people who are affected by domestic violence and the impact that it has:
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives
- At any one time 1 in 9 women will be experiencing domestic violence
- 2 women a week and 30 men a year are murdered by a current or former partner - and this figure is rising
- domestic violence accounts for 16% of all violent crime
- it costs the country in excess of £23 billion per year - this incorporates the costs to the NHS, Social Services, the Criminal Justice System and employers
- on average there will have been 35 assaults before a victim calls the police
- it is the largest cause of morbidity worldwide in women aged 19-44 (more than war, cancer or motor accidents)
- gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender men and women experience domestic violence and abuse at similar levels to heterosexual women - with 1 in 4 affected in their lifetime
Following a comprehensive selection process The Nationwide Foundation selected six charities to be supported through this aim of the Investor Programme. Grants from The Foundation will help support victims of domestic violence to rebuild their lives, it will help children through the trauma of witnessing domestic violence at home and it will go towards addressing some of the root causes of domestic violence.
The Investor Programme offers each of the six selected charities long term, flexible, core funding with a grant of up to £150,000 over three years. The charities supported are:
Broken Rainbow offers support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence. Their services include a helpline, offering a listening, information and signposting service, providing a model of best practice and raising awareness to increase the safety and well-being of LGBT people who experience abuse. The funds from The Nationwide Foundation are being used to develop a train the trainer programme for domestic violence professionals working with LGBT people and towards core costs.
Eighteen and Under offers confidential support and information to any person aged 18 and under who has experienced abuse. Eighteen and Under has produced a programme called Violence Is Preventable (VIP) which educates young people about healthy relationships and that violence is not acceptable. Based in Dundee the programme runs in every school and nursery in the area. The funding from The Nationwide Foundation is helping them roll out the programme to 100 new schools and 100 new nurseries to help an estimated 500 children deal with their experiences of domestic violence.
Kurdistan Refugee Women's Organisation (KRWO) provides information, advice, support and counselling to Kurdish and Middle Eastern women living in the UK. The organisation has created an awareness amongst the public, government, local authorities, police and other statutory bodies about the domestic violence crimes committed against women on the grounds of tradition, culture and religious teachings. The activities, campaigns, and advocacy work of the charity has empowered more Kurdish and Middle Eastern women to make informed decisions about their lives. The Nationwide Foundation is funding a full time outreach worker to provide support to families to help them re build their lives and to tackle the effects of domestic violence and the threat of honour killings.
Leeway Norwich Women's Aid provides a range of support to women and children fleeing domestic violence in the Norfolk area. The Nationwide Foundation is funding work that will provide individual and group support to children and young people aged 5-16yrs who have experience of domestic violence. Using a multi agency approach Leeway will also raise awareness of domestic violence issues and educate young people about safe relationships.
Refuge provides a network of safe houses providing emergency accommodation for women and children when they are most in need. The Nationwide Foundation is funding the salary of a psychologist to provide intensive support to children and their mothers. Funding is also being provided for a domestic violence social worker who will work closely with the psychologist in refuges across London to provide play and group therapy sessions.
Respect is a membership association for domestic violence perpetrator programmes and associated support services, which work to prevent perpetrators of domestic violence committing acts of abuse against their partner. The grant from The Nationwide Foundation is going towards core costs to allow the organisation to support their members, expand their capacity and develop new services and areas of work
Back to Investor Programme
Site updated: 13 October 2008