A NEW digital service to help young people affected by domestic abuse has been launched.

Bradford Council’s youth service has been working in partnership with domestic abuse services to create Safe Space - a digital platform offering children and young people a place where they can talk or get support. It will also offer a face to face service which is risk assessed and compliant with Covid 19 guidance.

By bringing together these two services means that young people have a broader access to support

The service helps young people with self care, safety planning, mindfulness and distraction techniques and to talk about their feelings, incidents of domestic abuse safely and constructively.

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It will accept referrals for a child or young person aged 11 – 18, or 21 if the young person is in care or has learning disability.

Councillor Adrian Farley, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for children and families, said: “The lockdown period has been a difficult time for those who are experiencing or witnessing domestic abuse and it is comforting to know there is support for younger people being provided to help them deal with their situation.

“At the moment it is difficult to provide a physical safe space, but being able to create a virtual safe space is the next best thing for the many children in our district so they can talk about their experiences and get the advice they need.”

Young people can also get support from the Anah Project and Step2.

Anah Project is also available for specialist support for Young people experiencing any form of abuse including domestic abuse, sexual abuse and forced marriage.

Step2 provides a counselling service which is operating online or by telephone at moment.