Services I Can Use
Oasis provides a range of services to support those affected by domestic abuse, including adults, children and young people and group work. You can get non-emergency support and safety planning by calling our helpline
Oasis’s east kent and Medway helpline:
0800 917 9948
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9am - 4.30pm
Or email helpline@oasisdaservice.org
(if it’s safe to do so)
For 24/7 support call the national helpline
0808 2000 247
If you or your family are in immediate danger please call the police on 999 (if you can’t speak, cough or tap the handset then press 55 on your phone - the police will know it’s an emergency)
In a non-emergency situation, you can call Kent Police on 101.
Drop into a One Stop Shop
One Stop Shop is a free and confidential advice service.
You can meet a range of professionals virtually or face-to-face that will be able to give you free, confidential advice about your situation. This is often the best place to start getting help and will enable you to seek advice about possible legal protection, housing, benefits, family support, and to make an informed decision about your future.
One Stop Shops are open to anyone who has experienced abuse irrespective of age, gender, race, orientation, gender identity or religion. In person One Stop Shops are always held in buildings that are accessible for people in wheel chairs or with mobility issues.
Oasis’s One Stop Shop Shops
East Kent (Thanet and Dover) Virtual One Stop Shop
This is currently a virtual service, running during these days and times:
Monday – Thursday 10:00am to 12:00pm
Call: 07856856278
Email: EastKent1SS@gmail.com
An administrator will take your call or email and arrange for an appropriate professional to get back to you by 12:00 that day.
Medway
Sunlight Centre, 105 Richmond Road, Gillingham ME7 1LX
Every Tuesday 9.30 - 11.30am
Masks and hand sanitisers are available, social distancing is followed.
There are One Stop Shops all over Kent and Medway – you can find the one closest to you by visiting www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk.
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA)
IDVAs are specialist support workers. They offer intensive short-term support for aperson experiencing abuse to reduce risk and increase safety. This includes safety planning, representing their needs at meetings, working with other professionals, such as the police, addressing housing needs, and supporting access to criminal and civil justice interventions if they’ve made the decision to prosecute their abuser.
Who is it for?
IDVAs work with all victims of domestic violence, regardless of gender identity, health needs, background, culture or mental health needs.
How?
If you would like to access this service, see our Adult Services.
The Police
If your abuser has assaulted you or you are afraid for your own or for others’ safety you can call the police. The police have the power to provide you with immediate protection at any time of the day or night. If you can, report an incident to the police straight away. In a non-emergency you can contact the police on 101 or visit your local station. If you need an interpreter, the police will be able to provide you with one.
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme - If you want to find out if a current or former partner has been violent in a previous relationship you have the right to ask the police, who will carry out checks. If they show that the person has a record of abusive offences, or there is other information to indicate that they pose a risk, the Police will consider sharing this information with you. You can call 101 or go to a police station to make an application.
A Refuge
A Refuge is a safe house where women and children escaping domestic abuse can stay for a while.
You can move in to a refuge the same day you decide to leave. The locations of refuges are kept private for the safety of all residents, for the same reason you will go to a refuge that is not close to your current home.
What is a refuge like?
Just like the people we support, no refuge is the same. Some are purpose-built, self-contained flats whilst others are more like a large house with a bedroom to yourself and your children and communal kitchens, dining and living rooms.
How do I get a Refuge space?
If you're looking to flee an abusive relationship now, we can offer help and advice around how to leave safely.
Call our helpline on 0800 917 9948 and we can provide a UK-wide search of refuge vacancies.
The 24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline will help you find a refuge space if you call 0808 20000 247. The police, social services and other support services can also give you advice on where to find support and advice regarding domestic abuse and refuges.
Refuge is not the only option, and if you wish to leave by other means or remove your abuser from your home, we can discuss those other options with you and advise around keeping you and your family safe.
Who can go?
Refuges will admit self-defining women, no matter what background, age or orientation however different refuges cater for people with different needs. For instance if you have mobility issues there may be some refuges that are not suitable but you will be directed somewhere that can meet your needs.
There are some refuges that will not be able to admit you if you have been violent in the past or have substance misuse issues; this may mean that a service will have to find a different way to support you.
What happens next?
Once a refuge space has been found, a member of staff from that refuge will call you to take a referral from you. This process is to gather some information about you and your situation to ensure they are able to offer you the right support.
If you are offered a place you will usually be expected to arrive at the refuge either that day or the next.
When you arrive you will be asked to sign a license agreement which will include the terms under which you can stay in the refuge, how long you can stay and any necessary rules to ensure the safety of yourself and other residents. Despite there being some rules, you will be free to go about your daily life.
Support Staff
All refuges have trained staff. Support Workers are able to help with a wide range of issues and provide you with practical and emotional support. They will help you settle in and could assist in applications for welfare benefits; contacting solicitors; local doctors and schools; provide advice about education and employment opportunities, future housing and make any other relevant referrals.
Phoenix Groups
Phoenix is open to anyone who wants to know more about domestic abuse. Phoenix looks at the tactics abusive people use, the cycle of abuse and warning signs as well as building up boundaries after an abusive situation.
To find out more visit the Phoenix website - you’ll find out how to refer yourself or someone else and more about the programme itself.
Services in Kent
For more information about services in your local area visit www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk
The Domestic Abuse Support in Kent website, provides advice and information on services for victims, friends & family, and perpetrators of Domestic Abuse.
If you’re a professional
Our helpline is for you too. We can offer advice around:
Identifying a victim of domestic abuse
The impact of domestic abuse on the individual and families
Assessing risk and using the DASH risk indicator checklist
Safety-planning
Civil and criminal legal instruments designed to keep victims and their children safe – although we cannot offer legal advice
How and where victims can seek free legal advice
Overcoming statutory obstacles – e.g. no recourse to public funds
Other services that may be beneficial
How a victim can leave safely
OASIS’S EAST KENT AND MEDWAY HELPLINE:
0800 917 9948
(MON TO FRI 9AM - 4.30PM)
Worried about someone you know?
The person experiencing the abuse needs to refer themselves for help, or be referred by a professional service. You cannot make a referral on their behalf. Victims often don’t realise that what they’re experiencing is abuse, and it can take a time for them to take steps to leave the situation.
You can help by having information of who they can get in touch with (the information above), for them to make that first step. Take a look at our detailed advice.