More than 50 mhs colleagues turned out to hear from a local domestic abuse charity as part of a recent Lunch and Learn session.
As a charitable housing association, we’re in a unique position to spot the signs of domestic abuse early and to help provide support. We want to build on the great partnerships that are already in place to strengthen our response and stamp out domestic abuse in our communities.
Jennie Gardner from Oasis Domestic Abuse Service spoke to colleagues at the Lunch and Learn session about some of our perceptions around domestic abuse and why it’s not so simple to come out of an abusive relationship.
She explained how Oasis began 30 years ago with just a handful of dedicated people opening a refuge service in Margate. She highlighted some of the great work that the charity has done locally since then and the many people they have helped support along the way.
Jennie went on to talk about public attitudes to domestic abuse and some of the myths that exist when talking about people experiencing it. She described what coercive control is and how it can impact our understanding of relationships and behaviour. Coercive control refers to continuous patterns of behaviour that are intended to exert power or control over someone.
There was also a 10-minute exercise which gave colleagues the chance to discuss amongst themselves some of the key issues that had been highlighted and some of these myths.
Jennie was joined by Danielle Georgiou, a domestic abuse partnership specialist at Oasis, who also kindly stayed behind at the end of the session to answer any questions.
If anyone would like to know more about the work Oasis does, visit the Oasis Domestic Abuse Service website.
mhs homes is also working towards achieving Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation. This will help us embed a best practice approach to domestic abuse across the whole organisation.
Get Help
Immediate danger
If you are in immediate danger call 999 or 999BSL
If you can’t speak, cough or tap the handset then press 55 on your phone – the police will know it’s an emergency)
Oasis Domestic Abuse Service helpline
For non emergency support call 0800 917 9948.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 09:30–11:30am, 12:30–2:30pm
Thursday and Friday: 09:30–11:30am (except bank holidays)
24/7 advice
For 24/7 advice call the free National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 2000 247.
Jennie Gardner (left) and Danielle Georgiou (right)