New website for victims of domestic violence

MODEL RELEASED. Domestic violence. Silhouette of a woman protecting herself from a blow from her partner by holding her arms in front of her face.

Former Chad charity Nottinghamshire Independent Domestic Abuse Services (NIDAS) wants to further raise awareness of the problem and highlight what help is available locally.

The website, www.nidas.org.uk, gives simple information about the work that NIDAS does and how victims can access support.

It includes a 24-hour freephone helpline as well as professional advice on how victims can make changes to their lives and become free from domestic abuse.

The website also provides links to partner organisations in Mansfield and Ashfield which assist in offering the support that an individual needs.

NIDAS director Lisa Haydon says there is lots of support out there for victims and the new website provides immediate help to users.

“Raising awareness of this hidden issue and the help that is available is a crucial part of the work that we do,” she said.

“We wanted to keep the website simple so you can make a quick decision to ask for help.

“Over the last 18 months working at NIDAS so many people have told me that they didn’t know about us and if they did they might have come forward to ask for help.

“Everyone at NIDAS is passionate about empowering individuals to help them to find new ways of coping with the devastating impact abuse has. This might be practical and or emotional support.

“As a team we have worked hard over the last 18 months to sustain these much needed services for Mansfield and Ashfield where the issue of domestic violence continues to increase.”

There were more than 3,600 incidents of domestic abuse in Mansfield and Ashfield last year – an increase of 4 per cent on 2011.

The new website was helped with a cash boost from the Co-operative Fund and NIDAS has received further financial assistance from the Big Lottery, Henry Smith Foundation and Nottinghamshire County Council.

“All of these funders have committed to supporting different projects over the next three years to enable us to help more women and children suffering from abuse,” added Lisa.

Visit the new website at www.nidas.org.uk.