Three new specialist Domestic Abuse Advocates have been appointed to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse in Southampton.

The advocates will focus on providing help to individuals who may face barriers in accessing support services.

The funding for these roles has come from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The pilot advocacy roles will be carried out by Yellow Door and Stop Domestic Abuse, two expert partners in the field.

The aim of these roles is to ensure equality of access to support services for individuals from marginalised communities.

The Domestic Abuse Advocates will offer specialist advice, guidance, and training to professionals who work with victims of domestic abuse.

These roles will contribute to independent academic research on a citywide response to domestic abuse in Southampton.

Nicci King, CEO, Yellow Door, said: “Yellow Door is delighted to be partnering with Southampton City Council and Stop Domestic Abuse to deliver this much-needed specialist support, helping to remove barriers faced by victims and survivors of domestic abuse that are disadvantaged because they are disabled or because of their ethnicity.

“Our specialist Domestic Abuse Educator Advocates are working with our local communities and survivors and victims of domestic abuse to better understand their needs, remove barriers to accessing support and raise awareness of services, to enable us to deliver our person-centred advocacy and also to inform future services in the City. This approach is key to delivering a co-ordinated community response in Southampton and achieving our priorities in the Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women & Girls Strategy.

“For more information including to access our professional training for your staff, or education sessions for your adult service users please contact Yellow Door Tel: 02380 636312 or visit www.yellowdoor.org.uk.”

Claire Lambon, CEO of Stop Domestic Abuse, added: “The funding is supporting a specialist LGTBQ+ Domestic Abuse Advocate in Southampton who is engaging LGBTQ+ victims and survivors of domestic abuse, building trusting relationships to help identify and address barriers to engagement and increase understanding of particular issues affecting LGBTQ+ victims of domestic abuse."

Individuals seeking advice and support regarding domestic abuse, including from the specialist advocates, can contact the PIPPA helpline on 023 8091 7917 or visit the Southampton City Council's website.