Oasis has helped thousands of people
Since opening a refuge in 1994 we have supported thousands of people through our services. Here are some of their stories.
*Trigger warning*
Some of this content may bring to mind your own difficult experiences. Please consider this before planning to listen, read and watch
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, GET HELP NOW BY CALLING OUR HELPLINE ON 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
Listen to our podcast
The Oasis podcast ‘Perspectives: uncovering Domestic Abuse’ gets under the umbrella term ‘domestic abuse’ through a series on interviews and discussion with survivors, trauma experts and members of our community, as we seek to reveal the broad range of increasingly diverse issues that are encompassed by this ‘one-size-fits-all’ term, dissecting and debating the issue, from all perspectives.
Watch our survivor films
love shouldn’t hurt
Starting a new life isn’t easy. Creating a safe life is even harder when you’re fleeing abuse. Our refuge is vital for building a safer future for every woman we help.
a survivor’s story
When Oasis opened its doors in 1994, two women a week were being murdered as a result of domestic abuse. This figure remains the same and our services are as vital as ever. Our mission is to increase safety for victims, rebuild lives and create lasting change, supporting them in refuge and on every step towards a safer future.
A mother-to-be’s story
A third of domestic abuse starts or intensifies during pregnancy. This is why we provide refuge for women who need safety at the most vulnerable of times. We support her and baby on every step towards building an independent and safe new life free from abuse.
A mother and daughter’s story
“That was really tough hearing Mum like that, she was crying, she’d had chunks of her hair pulled out”. Children do not 'witness' domestic abuse, they experience it… yet we somehow imagine them as being passive in families where this abuse happens. They are not, they are living it.
All films were produced by Boom Shakalaka Productions, with Art Direction by Harriet JW, Motion Direction & Design by Sprankenstein Studio and Sound Design by Conrad Wildsmith
In their words…
Alina’s story
The coercive, controlling behaviour of Alina’s partner was so extensive that it was hard to see the red flags, until taking part in the Freedom Programme helped to make the invisible prison visible.
“I had a good job, my own house, my own car. I was very independent. He was someone I knew, a friend of an ex-boyfriend from a decade earlier…”
“I’ve found the strength and determination to get my life back. I’ve realised that I matter. If I hadn’t been in touch with Oasis... I’m pretty sure I’d have taken him back”
Rachel’s Story
Rachel was referred into the Oasis Court IDVA service for support around a court case involving her ex-partner. In her first call she said that her biggest problem was her ability to pay for housing; she was living in private rented accommodation on a joint tenancy with the perpetrator and now that he was no longer contributing to the rent she was unable to afford it.
Lucy's Story
At Oasis one of the services we provide is Refuge accommodation for women and children who have had to flee their homes for their own safety. They often arrive with very few belongings and are frightened and traumatised because of the abuse they have suffered.
Our first priority is to settle families in and help them feel safe again. Read a letter that Lucy wrote to staff after her first week.
Sara blossoms with support from Oasis
Sara came to stay at the Oasis Refuge seven years ago, with her three young children. Since moving out she has gone from strength to strength, recently becoming a peer mentor.
Melissa shares her Christmas at Oasis
I lived in the Oasis refuge at Christmas a couple of years ago. It was a really hard time for me, I had moved away from family and had lost touch with friends whilst I was with my husband. But, at the same time, to be in such a caring atmosphere was amazing.
Sam's Story
At Oasis we don’t receive any statutory funding for our work with children and young people – and yet we know that this work is essential if we are to reduce the harm caused to individuals, to families and to society by domestic abuse.
Sam* was referred in July 2015 by Early Help and Preventative Services. He had been witness and victim to domestic abuse between his mother and father until he was seven years old when his parents separated. Sam has contact with his father and witnesses his anger and attempts to continue to control the family. Sam struggles with his anger and the referral states that Sam's mother was worried he would hurt her.
Paul’s story
Paul is a business owner. He separated from his wife, who kept their children with her in the family home. The separation started out amicably but quickly deteriorated as his wife’s behaviour changed. At first, Paul thought this was what happened to most people after a separation, it wasn’t.
June's Story
My husband used to be very controlling and manipulative. He would over dose and say he was going to kill himself. He would accuse me of affairs, he accused me of sleeping with one of my female friends and a lifelong family friend. He would lock me up in the house and take away my phone.
“I had tried to leave before, I spent two days at a friend’s house and I went back to him that is the difference with Oasis, it is the support you get and the people you meet who really help to keep you here and let you know what you are doing is right.”
Annette's Story
I met my ex-partner through a friend. We dated for 2 years and everything was fine. We finally decided to move in together and I shortly fell pregnant. When I was 3 months pregnant the physical abuse started. I can remember a time when he attacked me concentrating on hitting my head. I was covered in bruises. Time seemed to stop still and an hour would feel like days. I tried to stay strong and carry on with looking after his children from other relationships while trying to protect my unborn child, I tried to leave a few times but he would say that he had changed and persuade me to come back home, which I did because I loved him.
Your donations help keep people safe
Read our blog
With your help survivors can get professional support to build a life free from abuse.