A NEW ‘one stop shop’ for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in the district has been launched.

The new consortium, Bradford Survive & Thrive, has been created with the aim of transforming services across the area.

Behind the initiative are Staying Put, incorporating Domestic Violence Services, and the Family Action and WomenCentre charities.

They will provide early-intervention and prevention support, specialist work with children and young people, recovery and confidence-building and packages of practical and emotional help, plus access to high-quality crisis support, accommodation and housing.

A ‘One Front Door’ helpline will be open weekdays, from 9am to 5pm, when a specialist team will take calls from those in need on 0808 2800999.

Yasmin Khan, chief executive officer of Staying Put, said: “We’re thrilled to launch this consortium, which will transform services for people experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence.

“We will now be able to provide a single point of contact for all victims, survivors and perpetrators of domestic and sexual abuse.

“Together, we will ensure we can meet families’ needs in a holistic way, ensuring every survivor of domestic and sexual abuse – and their family – receives the right response at the right time to make them safe and help them move forward with their lives.”

David Holmes, chief executive of Family Action, said the charity was “delighted” to be a partner.

Bradford Survive & Thrive will run in addition to national and local services, including the National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline. The national helpline is open 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.

In West Yorkshire, between November 2016 and October 2017, there were 56,421 domestic-related incidents reported – an average of 154 a day.

Angela Everson, of WomenCentre, said: “This new consortium will allow us to continue to offer work with perpetrators of domestic abuse and to build on the work that has been developing. We also welcome the opportunity to offer counselling services as part of this contract on behalf of the consortium.”

Bradford Survive & Thrive is being funded by Bradford Council and NHS Bradford district and Craven clinical commissioning groups. Visit stayingput.uk.net for further information.