Helpline & Services Update

We are here to support you.  We understand what you may be experiencing and we can help.


As from 1st April 2022 the UAVA (United Against Violence & Abuse) consortium will no longer be delivering the specialist domestic and sexual violence services following re-commissioning of services.

Although we will not be delivering services as UAVA, providers of the consortium will continue to provide commissioned services.  This includes Freeva, Living Without Abuse (LWA), Women’s Aid Leicestershire Limited (WALL) and also Panahghar.  The new contracts start on 1st April building on the current services, many of which have been in place since December 2015 delivered through UAVA.

The existing helpline number, 0808 80 200 28, which is freephone and hidden from bills, will remain for both members of the public and professionals.  This will be the main route to all domestic and sexual violence services. The current professional line 0116 255 0004 will be phased out over the next few months.

Further details of services are as follows:

HELPLINE & ENGAGEMENT SERVICE:
Provider: Freeva
www.freeva.org.uk

HELPLINE

HELPLINE & ENGAGEMENT SERVICE:

Provider: Freeva
HELPLINE
8am – 8pm, Monday to Friday

We are currently operating a reduced service on weekends and Bank Holidays
10am-4pm – Saturday & Sunday 

10am – 4pm on Bank Holidays

  • Advice, advocacy, information on rights, processes and options
  • Emotional support face-to-face and webchat
  • Assessment of need, risk and
  • Barriers/ Safety planning
  • Co-ordination of support
  • Access to accommodation if required
  • Support through the Specialist Domestic Violence Court
  • Represent the victim’s voice at Daily MARAC
  • Onward referral to other specialist services as appropriate
  • Initial support specific to children and young people
  • Initial assessment/support for perpetrators

SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO:

  • Adult and Children victims of domestic and sexual violence –
  • Family/Friends –
  • Professionals –
  • Perpetrators of domestic violence/abuse –
  • Children & Young people using violence /abuse within dating relationships or towards parents/carers. –
  • Services are available to all who reside (temporarily or permanently) in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland

ACCESS

  • via the helpline 0808 80 200 28,
  • Online referral form via website
  • Web-chat
  • Text phone: 07715 994 962
  • Email: info@freeva.org.uk

SEXUAL VIOLENCE & ABUSE SERVICE
Provider: Freeva
www.freeva.org.uk

SUPPORT

  • Individual and group support victims
  • Support through the criminal justice system
  • Support to help victims to cope and recover
  • Training

SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO:

  • Available to all who reside (temporarily or permanently) in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and have been subject to sexual violence or abuse and other third parties who are concerned about them.
  • The service is available to victims of all ages.

ACCESS

  • Access via the helpline 0808 80 200 28,
  • Online referral form via website

LEICESTER CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE, AND FAMILIES DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE

Provider: Living Without Abuse
www.lwa.org.uk

SUPPORT

  • Individual and group support for children, young people, and parents.
  • Specialist workers for young people.
  • Practical and emotional support.
  • Training

 SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO:

  • Resident temporarily or permanently in Leicester and with children under 18 in the household and
  • Have experienced domestic abuse which is having a current detrimental impact on the children and young people in those families.
  • Accessible to those in employment and in full time study and with no recourse to public funds.

ACCESS

  • Access via the helpline 0808 80 200 28,
  • Online referral form via website
  • In person via community hubs

LEICESTER DOMESTIC ABUSE LOCALITY SERVICE (ADULTS)

Provider: Living Without Abuse
www.lwa.org.uk

SUPPORT

  • Individual and single sex group support
  • Advice clinics
  • Support at court
  • Training

SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO:

  • Age 16 or over and;
  • resident temporarily or permanently in Leicester and;
  • have experienced domestic abuse and be suffering a current detrimental impact of that.
  • For men and women.
  • Accessible to those in employment and in full time study and with no recourse to public funds.

ACCESS

  • Access via the helpline 0808 80 200 28,
  • Online referral form via website
  • In person via community hubs

LEICESTER DOMESTIC ABUSE PERPETRATOR SERVICE

Provider: Freeva – The Jenkins Centre
www.jenkinscentre.org

SUPPORT

  • Respect accredited programme
  • Foundations programme
  • Dad’s programme
  • Partner and ex-partner support worker
  • Training

SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO:

  • Aged 18 years and over
  • Resident temporarily or permanently in Leicester
  • No ongoing court proceedings connected to domestic abuse
  • Accessible to those in employment and in full time study and with no recourse to public funds.

ACCESS

  • Access via the helpline 0808 80 200 28,
  • Online referral form via website

LEICESTER WOMEN’S REFUGE

Provider: Women’s Aid Leicestershire Limited
www.wa-leicester.org.uk

SUPPORT

  • 15 units of refuge accommodation in Leicester over two sites and staff on site.
  • Regular individual support and advocacy
  • Emotional and practical support, including with move-on into independent housing.
  • Access 24 hours a day.
  • Free accessible WiFi

SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO:

  • Women aged 16 or over with or without children
  • Resident or fleeing to Leicester
  • At current risk of domestic abuse
  • Accessible to those in employment and in full time study and with no recourse to public funds.

ACCESS

  • Access via the helpline 0808 80 200 28,
  • Online referral form via website

LEICESTER BLACK AND MINORITISED ETHNIC COMMUNITIES WOMEN’S REFUGE

Panahghar Safehouse Ltd
www.safehouse.org.uk

SUPPORT

  • 15 units of refuge accommodation in Leicester over two sites and staff on site, some suitable for larger families.
  • Regular individual support and advocacy
  • Emotional and practical support, including with move-on into independent housing.
  • Access 24 hours a day.
  • Free accessible WiFi

SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO:

  • Women from a BME community aged 16 or over with or without children
  • Resident or fleeing to Leicester
  • At current risk of domestic abuse
  • Accessible to those in employment and in full time study and with no recourse to public funds.

ACCESS

  • Access via the helpline 0808 80 200 28,
  • Online referral form via website
Patient during therapy session

Remember, you are not alone – many people experience domestic violence, rape and/or sexual assualt. Recognising that you are experiencing violence and abuse is the first step and accessing support can help you to decide what you can do.