Our support for survivors of domestic abuse:

ICOS offers confidential, long-term support, advice and guidance to women and their families experiencing domestic abuse. Our one-to-one support includes:

  • Safe reporting to the authorities such as the police or support services and safety planning
  • Help you to understand your rights and options
  •  Accessing your own income such as: applications for welfare benefits, help with separating Universal Credit account (from the perpetrators), opening a bank account  
  • Communication and interpreting with services involved (police, social services, housing, any other organisations) as well as help with understanding official correspondence 
  • Provide you with emergency support (e.g. access to Foodbank or clothing) 
  • Finding safe accommodation: housing applications, getting help with getting onto priority housing register, finding refuge space
  • Finding a solicitor for protective court orders, family law or obtaining documentation for legal aid entitlement
  • Referrals to any other appropriate services (as and when required): e.g. financial issues or mental health
  • Support with wellbeing, meeting other people and improving your confidence through our women’s group: https://icos.org.uk/icos-women/

Two of our female staff members have completed Level 3 Domestic Abuse Trusted Professional Training and we can provide this support in various languages including Polish, Czech, Slovak, Ukrainian and Russian. Please get in touch with Julia Wysocka on julia.wysocka@icos.org.uk or 07942583833 if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse and requires support.

What is domestic abuse?

Official UK Government definition of Domestic Abuse:

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
  • Psychological and/or emotional abuse
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Financial or economic abuse
  • Harassment and stalking
  • Online or digital abuse