Aurora New Dawn wins £40,000 award from The King’s Fund and GSK IMPACT Awards

Aurora New Dawn are incredibly proud to share that we have recently won a major national award for our work supporting survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking based in Hampshire and working across England and for the Armed forces throughout the UK and abroad.

Following a rigorous selection and assessment process, we were chosen from more than 400 charities across the UK as one of the 10 winners of the 2023 GSK IMPACT Awards which are delivered in partnership with leading health and care charity The King’s Fund. Now in their 26th year, the awards are a mark of excellence in the charity sector, designed to recognise the outstanding work of small and medium sized charities working to improve people’s health and wellbeing in the UK. As one of this year’s winners, we will receive £40,000 in unrestricted funding as well as expert support and leadership development provided by The King’s Fund – support that is going to be transformational for our service and the people we support.

Supporting victims of domestic abuse | Why is the need so high?

Every 30 seconds, police across England and Wales receive a domestic abuse related call, yet research shows that less than a quarter of domestic abuse crime is reported to the police. Studies have revealed that one in four women will experience domestic violence and abuse in their lifetime and last year Hampshire Police saw a 19% increase in rates of domestic crime and incidents compared to the previous year.

Since launching in 2011, we have developed a range of innovative support services for survivors of domestic violence, including help to find housing, supporting people to obtain restraining orders, and accompanying victims to court. Last year, we supported over 2,300 people.

The Award judges were particularly impressed by our ‘DVA Police Car’ service which involves staff accompanying Hampshire police on domestic violence and abuse (DVA) call outs. The service started in East Hampshire working alongside officers attending domestic abuse incidents and has now expanded across Hampshire, with advocates based in Portsmouth, Southampton and Basingstoke. During Covid-19 lockdowns, when staff were not allowed to accompany the police, we set up our 24-7 Helpline, which now receives a high volume of calls from victims and professionals needing help, support and information.

Navigating a challenging time for charities

The award win comes at a time when many local charities find themselves working in a uniquely challenging environment. The long-term consequences of Covid and the current cost of living crisis are having a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of many local communities. Public services are under additional pressure, and charity finances have been hit hard.

Despite this, we have continued to innovate and expand our services, working in extremely difficult circumstances to target those most in need. For example, research has found men and women with military experience are over three times more likely to commit violence and abuse towards their partner and almost three times more likely to experience it than civilians.

Although Portsmouth is a major Royal Navy base, we found that we were not receiving referrals from the naval community. In 2018, we secured funding to raise awareness of DVA and stalking in the British Army, Royal Navy and RAF. We now employ advocates with a background in the Armed Forces to support any serving member of the British Army nationally and overseas affected by domestic violence, including spouses and families.

Aurora New Dawn’s public service partnerships

The Award judges noted our exemplary partnership, working across local public services, including the police, probation services and GPs, to change how frontline staff work with victims of domestic violence and stalking. Last year, we launched a unique new stalking advocacy service in the Thames Valley, the first of its kind to operate across three counties. We train frontline staff to understand the severe impact of stalking and facilitate better support to victims.

The impact of domestic violence and abuse can be long lasting, with rates of depression and suicide much higher amongst survivors. To support people with long-term effects, the team offers a ten-week therapeutic group programme, ‘Athena’ to support survivors to recover from the psychological effects of abuse by increasing self-esteem, improving the understanding of the dynamics of abuse and helping to prevent further abuse. We also run bespoke versions of this for women in prison, sexual violence survivors and for South Asian women, who are the largest ethnic minority community in Hampshire.

Katie Pinnock, Director, UK Charitable Partnerships at GSK, said: “Aurora New Dawn is a creative charity and should be commended for responding to gaps in services, such as poor take up of domestic violence support in the Armed Forces and a lack of awareness and understanding amongst frontline professionals of how to support victims of stalking. Through their impressive partnership work with the local police in Hampshire, their innovative DVA Police Car service enables victims to feel better supported. Demand for their services remains high, and the charity’s influence and reach continues to grow.”

Commenting on the award, Dr Shonagh Dillon, CEO of Aurora New Dawn said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received a GSK Impact award. We are aware of the amazing work the charitable sector does across many different areas, so to be chosen as one of the ten winners is a real honour. The funding provided to us through this award enables us to sustain and expand our services to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking. In addition to the monetary award, the benefit of working with the other winners and taking part in the leadership programme through The Kings Fund will provide us with a lasting legacy that is invaluable to organisations like ours. We are incredibly grateful to the judges and extend our thanks to them for the award.”

If you would like to support the Aurora New Dawn charity and you are able to donate you can do so here:

If you would like to support our female only group work and you are able to donate you can do so here:

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816

If you have any experience using Aurora New Dawn’s DVA cars service or calling our helpline, you can share your thoughts and feedback in our anonymous survey. Find out more and take part in the survey here.

Aurora New Dawn has commissioned an independent study and evaluation of its helpline and DVA cars service. The evaluation will be the third of its kind for the charity, led by Dr Andy Williams – a principal lecturer in criminology and criminal justice at the University of Portsmouth and an independent researcher and consultant for charities and police organisations.

The aim of the evaluation is to find ways to improve the service we provide to women, led by victim voices so that we can make changes that are genuinely needed and will have a real impact on the women we support.

Here we share more about the nature of the survey, what it means for our victims and what has changed since Mr Williams started working on this current evaluation in 2021.

Why are independent evaluations important for charities?

Evaluations are crucial for charities like Aurora New Dawn because they allow us to continuously improve and serve the people we support, in the best way possible. Every woman’s experience is individual to them, so we need to review and adjust our service to make sure we can deliver support in the most effective way possible every single time. In making this an independent evaluation led by a qualified and experienced researcher, we can also ensure it is a rigorous and robust review process that is driven by academic and ethical research design and methodology. With the data we get at the end of the evaluation, we can also prove to our funders that the work we do is not only needed, but critical.

“As part of our funding for DVA cars, we are formally required to run regular evaluations and deliver reports. I met Andy while I was studying for my Doctorate at Portsmouth and knew that as an independent consultant he had already run similar evaluations. His own academic research also specialised in violent and sexual offenders, so it made perfect sense to approach him for help with this project,” said Aurora Chief Executive Officer Dr Shonagh Dillon.

The 2023 evaluation – which consists of a victim survey and separate victim and police focus groups – is the third iteration of these evaluations for Aurora. Each one consists of a critical evaluation of processes (in a variety of ways) followed by a detailed review and report of key findings and recommendations to move forward.

“I like to see myself as a critical friend. It isn’t about highlighting faults, but rather coming into the situations and experiencing all perspectives for a positive, progressive outcome,” said Dr Williams.

“It’s my job to find out what the charity is doing, how it does it, what works well, what could be improved and gather the inside information needed to prove that the service is making a major difference within the community.”

How does the 2023 evaluation differ from previous years?

This is the third evaluation that has been done in this way for the charity, with every evaluation having a different focus and methodology – a conscious choice from Dr Williams who wanted to build on his findings and the charity’s developments each time.

The first evaluation centred predominantly on the DVA car processes. Dr Williams spoke directly to advocates and the police working alongside them through interviews and focus groups, as well as going out on shift in the DVA cars.

“It was incredible to see the advocates and the team out in action – what they do at the point of crisis is truly wonderful. It meant that I could experience and learn first-hand about the service.”

Following the first evaluation, the service grew exponentially. What used to initially cover a handful of areas has now expanded across the whole of Hampshire. The helpline has also been put in place and police buy-in is high.

The second evaluation took an unexpected turn; all thanks to a little something called COVID.

“It was tough running the evaluation during COVID because the charity had to shut the cars down. This is when the helpline was put into place – an amazing example of Aurora reacting and innovating during a challenging time. The helpline was so well received that it is now a core part of their offering. So, out of a bad situation came something positive. This just shows their flexibility and fluidity,” said Dr Williams.

He ran Zoom interviews with various individuals from the Aurora team and police officers, charting any differences between year one and two as well as any enhancements that had been made: one of which being that the advocates now have access to the police database so that they can input victim information immediately. Prior to the evaluations, they would have to fill in a paper form, share it with the police and then have them manually add it into the system.

This time around, the focus is on the victims and their voices.

What do we hope to achieve with the latest evaluation?

The Aurora DVA Cars and Helpline Victim Survey has been designed to put the victim voice front and centre. This survey will be backed by victim focus groups and additional police focus groups.

“We want to get the victim’s point of view – to give them an opportunity to share their views on the helpline and DVA cars. One of the key things that we want to find out is; whether or not the combination of the two is a required service,” said Dr Williams.

The hope is that not only will the survey and focus groups provide the charity with critical evidence and feedback so that they can identify improvements to their services, but it will also empower victims to share their voice.

“We’re already seeing this in the feedback on the survey so far. There’s a mixture of tick box questions and then additional space to share your further thoughts if you wish, and the responses showing up here have been enormously helpful and illuminating. It felt important to give victims the space to really express what they think.”

While the victim focus groups will be directed by Dr Williams, there will be a member of the Aurora team there to introduce the group and share the space throughout, this ensures that if any victim becomes distressed or wants to seek support afterwards we are able to do this in a trauma informed way.

“I am very aware that I am a male coming in and leading these groups. I want the victims to feel safe to express their opinion and to put their minds at ease. I am trying to be a conduit for their voices.”

Finally, we wanted to ask Dr Williams why he felt so compelled to work with Aurora New Dawn in the first place.

“The team is absolutely fantastic at Aurora – as an outsider going on shifts, looking at the comments on the survey, being in the room with victims, it’s impossible to deny quite how needed their service is. My research specialism is violent and sexual offenders, so I know the harm that these offenders cause to the victims and their loved ones. To have people there, who are not the police, supporting the victims – who really understand and hear them – is amazing. It’s what they need. It means a lot to me to help Aurora enhance this more and more and more.”

If you have experience with our DVA cars or helpline, we would be very grateful to hear your thoughts. It will take between 15 – 20 minutes and your answers will be completely anonymous. You can find out more and take part here.

If you would like to support the Aurora New Dawn charity and you are able to donate you can do so here:

If you would like to support our female only group work and you are able to donate you can do so here:

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816

Aurora New Dawn has raised an impressive £4,350 thanks to its annual Sea Swim for Survivors.

The chilly winter sea swim took place on Sunday 22 January, after being rescheduled twice due to unsafe sea conditions, with approximately 12 supporters joining swimmers from our team. The swimmers took to the water at Southsea Beach with the aim of raising awareness and funds to continue their valuable work supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

Aurora Chief Executive Officer Dr Shonagh Dillon said: “We have incredible supporters who regularly take it upon themselves to host events, take part in challenges and raise funds. Our Sea Swim for Survivors is something we do together as a community, pushing ourselves well outside of our comfort zone in the name of the women and children we support.”

The funds will be put towards the vital work that we do on a daily basis helping women and children make a new start in life. It’s a need that is only growing: from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, we supported 2,522 survivors through our network of services.

“In the UK, evidence shows that a woman is killed every three days by a man. For women killed by a current or former partner that equates to one woman every four days. We also know that statistically, on average, three women commit suicide every week as a result of the impact of male violence. We cannot underestimate the magnitude of the problem – and that’s why it’s our mission to support victims and survivors in every way possible,” said Shonagh.

“Our Sea Swim for Survivors is just one of the many ways that we work to gather people together and we are so grateful to the support we get from our supporters and our community. Marie Costa, the Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth, named Aurora New Dawn as her chosen charity, which highlights the importance of the support we provide to women across the county.”

You can still donate to the fundraiser by clicking the button below – every donation will help provide vital support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking across Hampshire.

The pictures:

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816

While collaboration is key for protecting women and girls from male violence, Aurora New Dawn has an important message for organisations charged with keeping us safe: in order to truly help, they need to get better at policing themselves.

It’s a notion we feel strongly about – however, with this year’s worrying release of a report centred on corruption in the metropolitan police force, we believe that now is the time to put these risks on a platform and encourage ALL forces to prioritise their own policing; otherwise, how can they effectively protect the women and girls who need it the most?

The culture of the police force needs to change in order to support victims of domestic abuse

The police watchdog report found that:

• In the last two years, the Met recruited people with criminal connections and more than 100 people who have committed offences. Some of these decisions “may have been justifiable, but the force failed to properly supervise these people to lessen the risks”;
• Property and exhibit procedures were “dire”. Hundreds of items were not accounted for, including cash and drugs. In one instance, the security access code for a property store was written on the outside of the door;
• The force does not know whether all those in sensitive posts – such as child protection, major crime investigation, and informant handling – have been cleared to the level of vetting needed;
• More than 2,000 warrant cards issued to personnel who had since left the force were unaccounted for.

It also found that, among several cases of misogyny and sexual misconduct, one officer convicted of domestic abuse and one accused of sexual assault were accepted into the force.

‘There is a widespread cultural problem with those working in positions of power – we often find patriarchal and hierarchical attitudes within the force, and these can heighten feelings of power and control for perpetrators of abuse. It’s vital that these institutions do better; we cannot face more findings like this. Change must happen and immediately,’ says Dr Shonagh Dillon, CEO at Aurora.

It’s important for us to highlight that the report is focused on the Met and the findings are not true of all police forces. There are very good individuals working in police forces but it takes everyone to change the culture. Trust is paramount for victims and survivors – with reports like this widely available in the public domain, there is a serious concern that victims may feel less inclined to disclose personal information to police officers.

It’s easy to tar an entire group with the same brush and it would be unfair to generalise when there are some fantastic teams and officers working hard to support victims in the best way possible. Having said that, the risks of not speaking up about these issues are too great to ignore, and that’s why we continue working alongside police officers to influence behaviour, support survivors and, ultimately, alter public opinion.

How does Aurora work alongside the police?

Earlier this year, Hampshire and IOW constabulary launched a new service after police officers and staff highlighted barriers to reporting domestic abuse, and feedback showed that some had felt unsupported in reporting domestic abuse or violence in the past.

The team were approached to form part of a specialist panel that includes Stop Domestic Abuse and the YOU Trust. Together we provide expert advice and guidance on how victims can be effectively supported to reduce risk, cope with damaging behaviours and how perpetrators can be held to account. The service enables us to use our expertise to guide the constabulary in their methods for investigating reports of domestic abuse and violence in order to empower victims. We were even awarded the ‘Chief Constable’s certificate of gratitude’ for our support – an accolade we are proud of.

In addition, we run our DVA Cars™. This long-term service has proven to be a brilliant way to help victims feel safe, seen and supported when reporting incidents of domestic abuse to the police.

Shonagh continued: “We have a good relationship with our policing colleagues in Hampshire and we are proud of the improvements we’ve been able to make so far, but we are also clear that there is more to be done. Organisations like police forces cannot hope to investigate reports of domestic violence internally and reach satisfactory outcomes for everyone involved; they need expert advice, new perspectives and independent support to make it an unbiased process.

A lot of the work we currently do is changing attitudes. When we began the DVA Cars™ service, many of the officers couldn’t see the benefit of having domestic abuse advocates working alongside them, but now they understand how we support victims and we work well together. We need to continue challenging these barriers so we can work as a solid partnership in supporting victims and educating perpetrators.”

If you would like to support the Aurora New Dawn charity and you are able to donate you can do so here:

If you would like to support our female only group work and you are able to donate you can do so here:

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816

Supporting victims of stalking and harassment has always been a major part of our mission at Aurora New Dawn. Here we explain what stalking is and how, alongside organisations like the police, we support people who have been (or are still being) subjected to stalking.

Stalking is a serious criminal offence – and yet it is something that is so often missed or ignored. For the victim, stalking brings with it fear, anxiety and enormous danger; so, why are stalking conviction rates still so low? ​

According to findings from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, in the year ending March 2020 there were estimated to be over 25,000 adult stalking victims. However, information from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust puts the number of stalking incidents in the year 2019-2020 as being at 1.5 million, with a conviction rate of just 0.1%.

While there are many factors coming into play here, we do believe that a lack of real understanding around what constitutes stalking is a key influencer. It’s something that we want to change, and fast.

What is stalking?

We describe stalking as the ‘imposition of a relationship where one would not otherwise exist’, but really, this barely scratches the surface. Stalking is a pattern of fixation, obsession, unwanted and repeated behaviour that can leave a victim feeling defenceless, distressed and in constant fear. While stalking will often come in the form of intimate partner stalking (from a perpetrator who has previously been in a relationship with the victim) research from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust shows that approximately half of all stalking cases did not include an ex-intimate partner, and we would attest with that in our own work with stalking victims. That is why a specialist stalking service outside of generic domestic abuse provision is essential.

Stalking can come in many forms such as:

• Phone calls
• Emails
• Unwanted gifts
• Unwanted communication
• Damaging property
• Threats
• Repeatedly following or spying
• Using fake profiles to communicate
• Contacting friends, family or work colleagues

The list goes on and – in isolation – the acts may not appear to have much impact. However, repeated over and over across long periods of time and in culmination with one another, they quickly become frightening and very serious. Psychologist and leading expert in stalking, Lorraine Sheridan, explains that stalking is really about the motivation for the behaviour rather than the behaviour itself. In many cases, it involves the targeted repetition of otherwise ordinary or routine acts.

You can find more information on our service page.

Why is there a lack of understanding around stalking?

Stalking can be incredibly hard to unpick, especially when there can be so many additional complications such as if you have children or own a home with the perpetrator. In these instances, a couple will need to communicate and often be in the same space, so it can be harder to separate what is and isn’t stalking, for the victim and for other people around them. In these situations, we also find perpetrators can try to manipulate the criminal system to get access to their victim; for example, often a stalker will take their victim through family court on repeated occasions simply to make contact and see them face to face.

‘We often find that professionals struggle to draw the line between what is and isn’t stalking. We tend to see this when they have been working with a victim and perpetrator for a long time and they can’t quite tell when that escalation becomes ‘too much’. Because we are immersed in this world day in and day out, we can tell pretty much immediately – even when the case isn’t an obvious instance of stalking – that the line has been crossed and action is needed,’ says Brianne, Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker at Aurora.

Victims of stalking need long term support outside of the Criminal Justice System, otherwise responsibility falls to police officers who have to navigate stalking scenarios without professional support from trained experts, Within a constantly changing environment, this has led to clients not being referred to the right place (if at all) and the emotional, impartial support for victims being amiss. This experience is frightening, incredibly stressful for victims and is compounded by the lack of awareness around the reality of stalking in society. We often see it romanticised in television, literature and film, and perpetrators themselves either shift the act of stalking under a gaslighting lens or hold onto the excuse that ‘they did it because they cared’.

These narratives need a drastic rewrite, and we work closely with people and organisations looking to lead this change. In January 2022 we were featured as part of the Stacey Dooley BBC documentary on stalking which you can watch here, and we recently signed the super complaint submitted by The Suzy Lamplugh Trust on the police response to stalking.

Aurora and Thames Valley Police | A union supporting victims of stalking

Having provided stalking advocacy services in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight since 2013, we were delighted that earlier this year, Aurora started working in collaboration with Thames Valley Police to provide Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker support to victims of stalking offences in the area. This union – running until March 2025 – enables us to work with victims and professionals to ensure that everyone gets the best support possible, to minimise high risk scenarios and remove victims from dangerous situations quickly and safely.

Most of the referrals come directly from Thames Valley Constabulary – however, as the service grows the team imagines more and more will be self referrals. Whatever the route, it’s our job to support victims and the police throughout the entire criminal journey and beyond.

‘Our approach is to ask ‘why is this NOT an example of stalking?’ It’s a subtle shift but one that we are trying to embed within all the professionals that we work with. If we can’t answer that question, then we must all move forward with the understanding that this IS a case of stalking,’ says Brianne.

And the service is already proving a success with both the police force and clients alike, and is a vital source of victim support where previously there had been nothing similar.

What next for Aurora and Thames Valley Police?

The team is busy planning different training opportunities and sessions to run across Thames Valley in the new year which will further support professionals so that they can better support victims of stalking through improved awareness and understanding alongside the service itself.

The entire collaboration is yet another example of the many ways that Aurora unites with like-minded and value-led organisations, all with a shared mission of enhancing trauma informed work with victims and survivors. We are focused on getting people onto the right path and standing against those who choose to abuse, harrass and stalk, because the onus needs to be placed on them and victims deserve justice and to live their lives free from the physical and psychological harm that stalkers cause.

If you would like to support the Aurora New Dawn charity and you are able to donate you can do so here:

If you would like to support our female only group work and you are able to donate you can do so here:

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816

As we continue to raise awareness of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism to end violence against women, we wanted to shine a light and reflect on one of Aurora’s most influential partnerships: our DVA Cars™ in collaboration with Hampshire Constabulary.

In 2015, Aurora New Dawn launched DVA Cars™ – a service whereby every Friday and Saturday night, our staff head out in police patrol cars to work alongside Hampshire Constabulary in attending reports of domestic abuse. The aim is to offer independent support and advice to victims and survivors during that window of opportunity: the moment they make the choice to reach out for help.

This partnership is just one of the many ways that Aurora unites with organisations to deepen the support available for survivors in the community. The impact has been huge – from victim engagement to police understanding, we know that our DVA Cars™ offer a crucial lifeline to women and girls in their time of need.

Why do victims and survivors of domestic abuse need DVA Cars™?

The very nature of the service is to show the victim that they aren’t alone – and to offer someone independent who genuinely believes them. This in itself can be transformative for a person and can encourage them to disclose far more than they normally would if the police were there without us. One of our earliest research reports on the effectiveness of DVA Cars™ found that 100% of victims agreed to speak with Aurora staff. In addition to this, 100% agreed to take information about support services with 50% of these still being engaged with services over a month later. The fact that 50% of the victims had never engaged with services before evidenced the benefit of having an independent, trained, specialist female advocate with the officer deployed to the address.

‘We find that victims are really surprised when we turn up – they had no idea that we existed. Many say that they felt believed and taken seriously for the first time. Often, this means that we are able to empower them to engage and do a risk assessment when previously they hadn’t,’ says Charlotte Robinson, Senior Advocate for the DVA Cars™ service.

There can be a huge number of reasons why a victim may not feel as open to sharing information with a police officer – it can feel intimidating, for starters. The neutrality of DVA Car™ advocates, the lack of preconceptions and even the normal clothing that they wear creates a softer, more comforting environment. Through this environment, we can then support the police in gathering the information and evidence they need, whatever the next step.

Why do the police need DVA Cars™?

The landscape of domestic abuse support is constantly changing – and unless you are working within it on a day-to-day basis, it’s near impossible to keep up. Add into the mix an extremely demanding job and it’s no surprise that the police benefit from our expert guidance and support.

Domestic abuse lead for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Detective Chief Superintendent Fiona Bitters, said: ‘This level of partnership working is imperative to tackling domestic abuse, utilising the skills of police officers alongside Aurora New Dawn’s independent victim-focused advocacy, to provide victims and survivors with unique face-to-face support when they may need it the most.’

This is a huge advantage of DVA Cars™ – we are able to take the role of signposting victims to the right place, review police forms and their grading, and be that point of support whenever they hand out one of our out of office helpline cards.

‘I’ve been working in this role for a year, and I feel now that the officers are receptive and grateful to have us on shift with them. Even if nothing moves forward criminally, we’re there to help them with safeguarding and referrals. It’s really tricky to stay on top of ‘what next’ for victims unless you are fully immersed in it, so with our help we can jointly make sure that victims have everything they need to make an informed choice,’ says Charlotte.

As a charity, we also increase shifts at times when the likelihood of domestic abuse cases is set to rise; for example, we are getting more cars out across the east and west during the upcoming World Cup, a time when police calls will sadly increase, not because football causes violence but because large male sporting events are more heavily policed and therefore reported incidents increase.

Ultimately, everything that we do with DVA Cars™ is a collaborative effort – one that shows survivors that there are options and they can take them of their own choice and with their own power. We are committed to continuing this service and working with Hampshire police officers and our partners at Paragon to ensure we can deliver the right support to those who call and report domestic violence and abuse incidents across Hampshire.

Domestic abuse lead for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Detective Chief Superintendent Fiona Bitters, said: ‘Domestic abuse or violence, of any kind, will not be tolerated. Together, Hampshire Constabulary and Aurora strive for a safe space for victims and survivors of domestic violence and this allows victims to feel supported for when they are ready to engage with us as organisations.’

‘Remember you are not alone – we, along with Aurora New Dawn, are here to support you.’

If you would like to support the Aurora New Dawn charity and you are able to donate you can do so here:

If you would like to support our female only group work and you are able to donate you can do so here:

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816

As the only charity providing domestic abuse support to the British Army, Aurora New Dawn has built strong unions with the armed forces. Here we share our experience and how our advocates support women and girls with a safe route out.

Domestic abuse within the armed forces is a widespread and frightening problem. Research from King’s College London found that more than 1 in 10 of Armed Forces personnel had experienced intimate partner violence and abuse – however, the actual number is likely to be far higher since the Armed Forces do not publish information about levels of domestic abuse within the service community. The enormity of the situation is just one of the reasons that Aurora New Dawn is dedicated to supporting women and girls living within the forces who are victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Through our Army Advocates service, we offer ongoing support to any serving member of the Army who is experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, coercive control or stalking. This support also extends to family members and partners where the person responsible for the abusive behaviour is currently serving.

Our mission is to show survivors what is possible and how they can safely leave a situation in as quick and financially viable a way as possible.

Why is domestic abuse such a big problem in the British Army?

Our Armed Forces Advocates are linked to forces lives themselves: and their understanding of the community is a hugely important part of the service. The armed forces landscape is a world away from most people’s reality. It comes with added complications – financially, logistically and emotionally – and reporting an incident (and getting the support necessary) can feel like a minefield.

“The majority of our clients come to us with a great deal of fear. The army is an incredibly insular community – while the survivor knows that they need help, they’re scared to share what they’re going through and their private life becoming common knowledge. They also have no idea what they are even entitled to and what would happen to them if they upped and left the only life they have ever known. It’s terrifying – the women who come to us are incredibly brave,” says Lynne, Aurora Armed Forces Advocate.

As with the police force, power and authority is central to how the military operates. Not only are individuals working within a culture of hierarchy and strong elements of patriarchy, they are also likely to have a high level of control in the household – particularly when it comes to finances. Coercive and financial control is therefore a massive issue in the military, with instances of financial abuse being particularly high in the wake of COVID and the currently-unfolding cost of living crisis. This brings with it additional barriers to women and girls trying to escape.

As well as these barriers – and the scale of the issue – survivors also face problems when trying to access methods of support.

“The armed forces are complex – they’re widespread in so many ways but ultimately, they are culturally very small. Everyone knows everyone. They’re tight knit – a victim may be the wife of a senior officer who is being abusive, and those who would typically investigate the incident may be close friends of his or work alongside him. Especially for serving soldiers, victims don’t want their community to know that they have asked for support. This is proven in the fact that almost a quarter of those who come to us from the military self-refer – that’s a seriously high number for a domestic abuse charity,” says Dr Shonagh Dillon, Aurora’s CEO.

Aurora and the British Army – supporting from the inside.

Thanks to our Armed Forces Advocates – and their position within the British Army community – we are able to provide independent support to survivors from people who know how the military works. From practical to emotional support, we have the necessary conversations to help victims understand that their situation isn’t normal and that there is a way out of it.

“Welfare teams have good intentions, but the reality is that because people are reposted every couple of years the staff turnover is high, and processes, messages, information and referrals can get lost. Plus, the soldier will always come first; it’s just the way it is. What we provide is something totally centred on domestic abuse victims and their unique situation and needs. We also manage their expectations and timelines – more often than not, we’re fighting the clock when it comes to getting a victim out of a dangerous situation, and because we understand that (and the challenges that we are likely to face along the way) we are expertly equipped to get them through the process quickly and safely,” says Shelley Aven, Armed Forces Advocate.

Unfortunately, it isn’t just a case of one bad apple – the lack of control and independence for wives within the Armed Forces communities is deeply ingrained and embedded. This is particularly evident for those from the foreign and commonwealth communities, where if a survivor is living abroad and decides to flee their relationship, the husband would have the power to cancel their visa.

“Wives rarely go into an armed forces marriage knowing their rights – we, however, do. It’s our job to give survivors a safe passage and a financially secure life outside of their abusive relationship,” says Lynne.

Sadly, the rate of referrals from the military is rapidly rising. On average, Aurora accepts one per week and Shelly has recently joined Lynne as an Army Advocate to increase our capacity for supporting women in crisis. Slowly, the tides are turning and the Army is focused on improving how it supports people who report domestic abuse or violence. Working with Aurora New Dawn has seen a big change in attitudes because we are not only supporting survivors, but we are providing education and support to those working in the forces too, to improve how cases are dealt with.

Dr Shonagh Dillon says: “We are pleased to continue our conversations with the Royal Navy and be offering support to the RAF as well. Things are changing slowly and we work with some dedicated professionals within Armed Forces communities who want to systematically alter the culture of military responses to victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking. The onus must rest firmly with the perpetrators of these crimes and the response needs to be robust. Our work within the forces is very important to us and we look forward to working in partnership with our colleagues in the forces to foster change and end male violence against women.”

If you would like to support the Aurora New Dawn charity and you are able to donate you can do so here:

If you would like to support our female only group work and you are able to donate you can do so here:

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816

This year’s theme for the International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) and the 16 days of action is UNITE! Here we share the importance of working with partners to effectively, safely and continuously support victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking.

For 31 years, the United Nations has spearheaded the annual international campaign, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Kicking off on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25) and ending on Human Rights Day (December 10), the campaign calls for global action, awareness and activism to end violence against women and girls. This year’s theme is UNITE! – and here at Aurora New Dawn, it’s a concept that underpins everything we do.

Working together to end domestic violence against women and girls

In order to build a better future for survivors of domestic abuse, organisations must work together to end violence against women and girls. Collaboration is not only necessary, but paramount if we want to help them live a life free from fear. From food banks to refuge spaces, the armed forces to police departments, at Aurora New Dawn we work with representatives, advocates and partners from all over to ensure that we can support survivors as much as possible.

“It’s the union between like-minded organisations that makes what we do impactful. We simply couldn’t do it all on our own; we rely on our partners and agencies to help us help women and girls more effectively. We’re fully behind this year’s theme for 16 Days of Activism – we hope it will encourage the many people, companies and charities out there supporting the cause to explore partnerships as a way to leverage their mission,” said Dr Shonagh Dillon, Aurora’s CEO.

How can communities help end domestic violence against women and girls?

Community support and understanding also has an enormous part to play in ending violence against women and girls. Our volunteers and supporters are fundamental in raising much needed funds for our survivors and – especially relevant at this time of year – providing gifts and items that they can then make use of.

We know that the Christmas period can bring a stark rise in cases of violence against women, and even when a survivor leaves an abusive perpetrator, often the abuse doesn’t stop. In fact, around 75% of the women and girls that we support have already left their relationship. Thanks to our incredible community, we are able to provide things such as food vouchers and Christmas gifts that can really help victims as they navigate this enormously stressful period.

Domestic abuse and the cost of living crisis | What are the risks for agencies?

Domestic abuse and the cost-of-living crisis are two phrases that we are likely to hear in tandem more and more in the coming months. We know that perpetrators will use any means possible to increase their levels of power and control, and the difficulties that will likely come with these looming economic challenges.

One in six women in the UK have experienced economic abuse by a current or former partner – and this abuse rarely happens in isolation, normally occurring alongside other forms of domestic abuse. We are approaching a pivotal point. As families struggle with a choice between heating and eating, women can be made to feel economically dependent on their partner, limiting their freedom. Abusers may sabotage their victim’s income and access to money, restrict what they spend it on (and what they own) and exploit their economic situation.

Recently, Aurora formed part of a national statement from the End Violence Against Women Coalition to call for immediate support for those impacted by domestic abuse and inequality, heightened through the cost of living crisis. While we believe this is a step in the right direction, the truth is that we don’t have a solution – but we do know that, now more than ever, we need to unite in raising our voices and breaking down the added barriers stopping women and girls from living lives free from domestic abuse and violence.

Unfortunately, those barriers extend to the agencies supporting women who are being subjected to male violence – and it’s something that organisations large and small need to be aware of.

“As an organisation, we’re still recovering from the increased demand caused by COVID – and now we’re braced for a whole flood of new calls for help. It’s crisis upon crisis and we know that we aren’t alone in this,” said Shonagh.

“Local food banks are on their knees. Refuge spaces are being stretched to their very limit. Charities are struggling and jobs are falling by the wayside. Donations are going – and will continue to go – down. We may not feel the immediate impact right now, but we’re all being pulled in endless directions. We predict that in six months or so, the repercussions will be widespread.”

Which is why continued collaboration matters. Together, we can find ways to navigate this changing and difficult landscape so that support can still be there when women and girls need it most.

How is Aurora New Dawn supporting 16 Days of Activism?

Throughout the 16-day campaign, we will be sharing resources, articles and content centred around the different organisations that we – as a charity – are united with, to help raise awareness of the many different ways people can seek support. Keep an eye on the ‘news’ section of our website and also our social media: and please do help us share this vital message.

#IDEVAW2022
#EndMaleViolenceAgainstWomen

If you would like to support the Aurora New Dawn charity and you are able to donate you can do so here:

If you would like to support our female only group work and you are able to donate you can do so here:

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816

In October, we were very proud to receive an award from Hampshire Constabulary for our work supporting the force’s Workplace Domestic Abuse service.

The service was launched earlier this year after police officers and staff highlighted barriers to reporting domestic abuse, and feedback showed that some had felt unsupported in reporting domestic abuse or violence in the past.

We were approached to form part of a specialist panel that includes Stop Domestic Abuse and the YOU Trust, and together we meet to discuss any issues raised and provide expert advice and guidance on how victims and perpetrators can be effectively supported to reduce risk and cope with damaging behaviours.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Dr Shonagh Dillon, received the Chief Constable’s certificate of gratitude, which states that “Your role in shaping the new service has already made a positive difference and will continue to do so for years to come”.

Shonagh said:

“We were honoured to be asked to be part of the workforce domestic abuse panel and we’ve been using our expertise to support the constabulary in how they investigate reports of violence and abuse and empower victims.

“The cultural issues around how police forces across the country handle domestic and sexual abuse have been close to the headlines in recent years. Our police colleagues in Hampshire have been open in their desire to effect change and though it’s a long road, we have already seen a positive shift in attitudes and the action taken to support staff reporting incidents.”

Hampshire Constabulary Domestic Abuse lead, Detective Chief Superintendent Fiona Bitters, said:

“We would like to congratulate Aurora New Dawn for this well-deserved Chief Constables commendation. They played a key role in supporting, and providing expert guidance, on the delivery of our domestic abuse service – and for that we are grateful.

“Hampshire Constabulary, working alongside Aurora New Dawn and other locally commissioned services, are fully committed to identifying children and adults who are living with violence and abuse, and increasing their trust and confidence to report domestic related incidents. That includes those that work for the constabulary.”

If you would like to support the Aurora New Dawn charity and you are able to donate you can do so here:

If you would like to support our female only group work and you are able to donate you can do so here:

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816

Rosie

I am one of the Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers at Aurora New Dawn. In my spare time I enjoy watching documentaries and listening to music and podcasts. I love quizzes and general knowledge, my best categories being history and geography!

I started at Aurora New Dawn as a placement student in 2020, and felt I was able to make a real difference to people’s lives. I later began working at Aurora as a full member of staff in 2021 and was pleased to be able to focus more of time to supporting clients experiencing stalking and help them to start to regain control of their lives. Stalking is a difficult and frustrating crime, being able to listen and advocate for clients is a key part of the process and is hugely beneficial. I hope to continue working within this sector and growing as an advocate.

Gemma

I really enjoy keeping active by lifting weights and running and I like to relax by reading and watching stand-up comedy. I’ve worked at Aurora since June 2021 and enjoy working in a lovely team with like-minded women.

For most of my career, I have worked in the private sector, but after the COVID 19 pandemic hit I wanted to, as clichéd as it sounds, make a difference and help to support those who have been experiencing stalking. Stalking is a unique crime, sometimes you can’t physically see the crime that has been committed – like you would in a burglary. It’s important to me that my clients know that not only do I believe them and that I will be there to support them every step of the way but that stalking is a crime and is not acceptable – whatever the circumstances.

Lynne (Armed Forces)

As the armed forces advocate for domestic abuse sexual violence and stalking I am unbelievably passionate about what I do.

No one thinks past DA to what might come next. It’s always looked at as a continuation of the abuse and to use the word stalking can sometimes be seen as us being “dramatic women”, especially within the forces. Even more so if it’s not an ex-partner.

We hear phrases like “well she is a pretty thing, she should love the attention” or “you’re behind the wire, whoever it is can’t get you so it’s not that bad”.

You can never underestimate or even fully understand the horrifying impact stalking has on victims.

I learn something new about the lengths a stalker will go to in every case. Whether we know who the stalker is or not.

I am the voice of the victim when the situation is terrifying yet no one will listen.

I am the safety net always ready to believe them I will help educate the armed forces to understand that stalking is very real and won’t just go away.

I will never stop fighting for my clients.

Why do I do this work?

Because serving soldiers are human and suffer the impact of stalking like every other victim. They deserve to be believed, supported and most importantly safe.

#BridgingTheGAP #NSAW2022 #TeamAurora

We are funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the IOW and for our Armed forces work we receive funding from the Army Central Fund.

If you would like to support the Aurora New Dawn charity and you are able to donate you can do so here:

If you would like to support our female only group work and you are able to donate you can do so here:

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816