Supporting Domestic Violence Victims

Agencies across the city are gearing up to support domestic violence victims this Christmas with reports to police, refuges and now the city’s new Family Justice Centre expected to increase again this year.

Domestic assault accounts for 16% of violent crime in the city and dramatically increases over the Christmas holidays when tensions tend to rise in the home.

Last Christmas, there were 343 domestic violence incidents reported to Derbyshire Police a 29% increase on an average 2 week period. With increased publicity and therefore awareness over the issue and the support available, agencies are expecting this number to be even higher this year.

Agencies such as Hadhari Nari (Derby Womens Aid) and refuge have emergency accommodation available throughout the holiday period. The Family Justice Centre will be open between Christmas and New Year (Dec 29, 30 and 31) to support people and follow up referrals from other agencies.

Derby is only the second place in the UK to have a Family Justice Centre which is based in St Peter’s House in Gower Street and houses representatives from a wide range of agencies and voluntary sector organisations who work together to support people suffering domestic abuse, sexual violence, honour based violence, stalking and harassment.

The FJC was officially opened six months ago and, since then 207 people have been referred to support with the largest number suffering physical or emotional abuse.


Based on successful models already working in Croydon and in parts of the USA, the Family Justice Centre has been led by Derby Community Safety Partnership.

It brings under one roof all the agencies and voluntary organisations who already work within their own organisations to support victims including Police, Derby City Council and NHS Derby City, housing, refuges, health, benefits, social services and education.

Facilities at the centre include private consultation rooms, a medical room and office space for workers from various organisations who will be based there for at least part of their working week – to enable them to offer joined-up services to victims.

Derby Community Safety Partnership’s Family Justice Centre Manager Tracy Arnold explained: “Christmas is traditionally a time of goodwill and families enjoying each other’s company – but for many it is a time of increased tensions and potential danger.

“There is help available for those who are in immediate danger and we are expecting an increased number of people referred to us for the wide range of support that the agencies here can provide.

“On average, a victim will have suffered 35 assaults before they even contact the Police but, at the point where they do admit that they need help.

“The Family Justice Centre has the appropriate services under one roof that they may need, from taking out injunctions and finding a safe refuge to sorting out benefits and supporting the children at school.
“By coming together under one roof with a victim-centred service, we can better share information and act more quickly and provide the practical help that is desperately needed straight away and then the longer term support to enable the victims to take back control of their lives.

“The aim is to break the cycle of domestic and family violence and support vulnerable families to keep them safe and help them rebuild their lives.”

Derby Family Justice Centre can be contacted on 01332 256897 or is open as follows:
Thursday 24th December Open 10am to 3pm
Friday 25th December CLOSED
Monday 28th December CLOSED
Tuesday 29th December Open 10am to 4pm
Wednesday 20th December Open 10am to 4pm
Thursday 31st December Open 10am to 4pm
Friday 1st January CLOSED
The centre will re-open as normal on Monday 4th January.

Outside of this local support services have the following telephone numbers available 24 hours over Christmas and New Year to provide emergency access to refuge accommodation: Hadhari Nari (Derby Women’s Aid) 01332 270101 – available 24 hours
Refuge 07725 245 383 – available 24 hours.

Also victims of recent sexual violence can call Millfield house to gain access to medical services (out of hours only) 0845 129 0111.

And if there is immediate threat, call Derbyshire Police on 999.

Click here to return to the previous page