SafeLives Charity

SafeLives statement on the inspection into Metropolitan Police recruitment and vetting standards SafeLives welcomes the Government’s decision to commission an urgent independent inspection into recruitment and vetting standards at the Metropolitan Police.

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Rebuilding trust means meaningful vetting, real consequences for misconduct, and safety prioritised over institutional reputation. Survivors deserve nothing less.

Read our statement ⬇️

'Dereliction of duty': Met Police relaxed vetting to meet recruitment targets Thousands of officers and staff were hired or retained without proper checks, with more than 130 going on to commit misconduct or crimes.

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This is not an administrative failure. It is a profound failure of leadership, accountability and culture and we welcome all steps being taken now to address this, both by the Met and the Government.

Ambition is welcome. Delivery is the test.

Today the Government published its new Violence Against Women and Girls strategy. While we welcome the strategy, we cannot call VAWG a national emergency and resource it as anything less.

➡️ Read our full response: ow.ly/cwVR50XLxaNead

Group of six diverse professionals collaborating around a table with laptops and documents. Along the top, in pink box, 'Celebrating 25 years 2000-2025' and The Drive Partnership logo. In the centre 'Launched 2015.'

First established in 2015 by Respect, @safelives.bsky.social and @socialfinance.bsky.social, @drivepartnership.bsky.social was founded on a shared ambition to break the cycle of domestic abuse by challenging and changing the behaviour of those causing harm and supporting victim-survivors.

Here's to many more years partnering to break the cycle of domestic abuse 💙

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When abusers lock bank apps, control passwords or block access to digital accounts, it’s not just financial control - it’s digital violence.

Ending violence means challenging both.

#16DaysOfActivism #16Days #NoExcuse #DomesticAbuse #VAWG #DigitalAbuse #EconomicAbuseAwareness

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This Economic Abuse Awareness Day learn to spot the signs with Surviving Economic Abuse's challenge.

With the theme of 16 Days of Activism being 'End digital violence against all women and girls', let’s remember: economic abuse can happen through digital control too.

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We are proud to be part of the Drive Partnership. Together, we can continue strengthening responses to those who cause harm and improve the safety of domestic abuse victim/survivors.

#16DaysOfActivism #16Days #NoExcuse #ActToEndViolence #DomesticAbuse #VAWG

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It was inspiring to hear from our colleagues at the @drivepartnership.bsky.social, who presented findings from the Pan-London process and implementation evaluation of the Drive Project, alongside Restart’s newly published feasibility report.

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We were pleased to attend the Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) 16 Days of Activism event, “Mapping Harm, Measuring Success: Evaluating Perpetrator Programmes in London,” held yesterday at City Hall.

Foundation: Idva training Idva Foundation Training enhances practical knowledge of domestic violence, helping provide the best possible support for domestic abuse victims and survivors.

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Suitable for practitioners and line managers who are currently case holding, preparing to case hold, or supporting colleagues managing active domestic abuse caseloads.

Ready to start changing - and saving - lives? ✨

Learn more and sign up via the link below ⬇️
ow.ly/QrKX50WVKMb

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Successful completion of this accredited course will give you an OCNLR Level 3 certificate in Domestic Abuse: Prevention and Intervention.

SafeLives post with text that reads "Online training. Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) training. This programme is designed to support learners with diverse access needs, including those who are deaf, neurodivergent, or require adjustments. Training info this way".

SafeLives post with text that reads "Support Survivors. Build Confidence. Improve Practice".

SafeLives post with text that reads "98% of previous learners felt more confident in their role after receiving our IDVA training".

SafeLives post with text that reads "I feel more confident discussing certain topics now, such as legal aid and civil routes. I also had no previous experience of courts, but now feel I have learnt a lot from the course (Previous learner)".

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📢 Learn how to best support #DomesticAbuse victims, survivors and their children.

We have a number of accredited #IDVA courses now open, with our accessible course starting in 2026.

About our Leading Lights programme Leading Lights is SafeLives’ gold standard accreditation programme for community-based domestic abuse services across the UK

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Southampton’s Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) service supports domestic abuse survivors by offering safety planning, advocacy, and practical help.

For more information about our Leading Lights accreditation ⬇️
ow.ly/pXro50Xt1VE

SafeLives Leading Lights post with graphic of a firework and text that reads "congratulations! Southampton IDVA Service".

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✨ We want to shout out our colleagues at Southampton IDVA service who have successfully achieved #LeadingLights accreditation.

This is a great achievement which demonstrates their dedication to providing essential support for those impacted by #DomesticAbuse.

About our Leading Lights programme Leading Lights is SafeLives’ gold standard accreditation programme for community-based domestic abuse services across the UK

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Changing Lives Middlesborough offer safe accommodation and trauma-informed support for women and children escaping abuse, along with practical help, advocacy, and six weeks of move-on support.

For more information about our Leading Lights accreditation ⬇️
ow.ly/LRxX50XsXaO

SafeLives Leading Lights post with graphic of fireworks and text that reads "Congratulations! Changing Lives Middlesborough and NIDAS Refuges".

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✨ We want to shout out our colleagues at Changing Lives Middlesborough and NIDAS Refuges who have successfully achieved #LeadingLights accreditation.

This is a great achievement which demonstrates their dedication to providing essential support for those impacted by #DomesticAbuse.

Children’s Domestic Abuse Advocate (Chidva) training This qualification equips professionals with knowledge, tools and strategies essential when working with children affected by domestic abuse.

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🗓️ Next online intake:
Block 1 = 20–22 Jan 2026
Block 2 = 24–26 Feb 2026

🔗 Apply now or register your interest: ow.ly/9wMq50XsVr2

Together, we can break the cycle of domestic abuse for children - and create safer futures.

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What you’ll gain:
🔹 An OCNLR Level 3 certificate in Domestic Abuse: Prevention & Intervention.
🔹 An understanding of children’s experiences of abuse, trauma and how to respond effectively.
🔹 Practical skills to assess, plan and support families using a multi-agency approach.

SafeLives post with text that reads "Children’s Domestic Abuse Advocate (CHIDVA) training. This OCNLR Level 3 accredited course equips you to support children and families impacted by domestic abuse."

SafeLives post with text that reads "Why this training? Understand children’s experiences of domestic abuse and trauma. Develop the skills to assess and plan support for children and families. Tackle the current training-gap for professionals working with children and families."

SafeLives post with text that reads "Key info. 6 days (in-room, online or hybrid) with eLearning modules. Subsidised places available. OCNLR Level 3 Certificate in Domestic Abuse: Prevention & Intervention".

SafeLives post with text that reads "Apply today or register your interest for future dates!"

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📢 Are you ready to become a specialist in supporting children and families affected by #DomesticAbuse?

Apply for our accredited Children’s Domestic Abuse Advocate ( #CHIDVA ) #Training this #WorldChildrensDay.

Specialist: Ypva training This specialist course aims to increase understanding of how domestic abuse differs for young people and how to make young people safer

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Learn more and sign up via the link below ⬇️
ow.ly/Pjjw50XsTNh

#DomesticAbuseTraining #DomesticAbuse #VAWG #YPVA #YoungPeople #Youth

SafeLives post with text that reads "Why is training vital? Young people experience the highest rates of domestic abuse of any age group. But are often invisible to services".

SafeLives post with text that reads "Why is training vital? The abuse young people experience is very different to that experienced by adults. But is no less severe".

SafeLives post with text that reads "Why is training vital? Young people are experiencing abuse in new ways, through new technologies and social media".

SafeLives post with text that reads "Why is training vital? Young people have vulnerabilities and risks that are unique to their age group".

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Suitable for IDVAs, DA practitioners and service managers carrying (or about to start carrying) active caseloads and have completed another SafeLives Foundation course to gain the YPVA qualification.

🔔 Application deadline: 1 December 2025
🗓️ Course: 3-6 March 2026

SafeLives post with text that reads "Responding to young people affected by domestic abuse. Training info this way".

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📢 Specialist training: Responding to young people affected by domestic abuse

Enhance your practical knowledge, and more, via our Young Person’s Violence Adviser (YPVA) training.

🔹 Online
🔹 Accredited
🔹 Super-subsidised places available

Independent Domestic Abuse Advocacy (Idaa) Training: Scotland Idaa training helps practitioners in Scotland gain the knowledge and skills to offer a safe and effective response to high risk victims of domestic abuse.

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🗓️ Spring 2026 course!
🔔 Applications deadline - 24 November 2025

Learn more and apply below ⬇️
ow.ly/q5uA50X47y2

#DomesticAbuseScotland #ScotlandTraining #DomesticAbuseTraining #DomesticAbuse #DomesticViolence #VAWG

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🔹 Suitable for DA practitioners and managers carrying, or supporting those who carry, active caseloads, with at least six months of experience.
🔹 Delivered in partnership between SafeLives, ASSIST and Scottish Women's Aid.

SafeLives post with text that reads "Scotland. Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate (IDAA) training. Learn how to best support domestic abuse victims, survivors and their children. Training this way".

SafeLives post with text that reads "The course is: online, accredited and developed in partnership with ASSIST and Scottish Women’s Aid".

SafeLives post with text that reads "Learn how to: increase the safety of DA victims, boost your confidence through group work, improve your career prospects and learn alongside other Scottish DA practitioners".

SafeLives post with text that reads "Important note. This is not an entry level course. The broad range of topics covered means it is only suitable for practitioners with at least six months of experience".

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Interested in IDVA training but live in Scotland? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Our ‘Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate (IDAA) course’ is ideal for Scottish practitioners.

🔹 Just like our IDVA course, you'll learn how to best support DA victims, survivors and their children, but within the Scottish context.

The Starfish Club - make a lasting difference Join our community of regular givers and help transform the response to domestic abuse across the UK.

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Your regular support means we can be there for more survivors, children, and families - for the long term.

Every tier makes a difference. Every badge tells a story.

🔗 Choose your membership today: ow.ly/AOAF50Xqtnt

#StarfishClub #MakeADifference #DomesticAbuse #VAWG #FridayFundraiser

SafeLives post with graphic of two people on a beach surrounded by starfish and text that reads "The Starfish Club. Become a member today and make a lasting difference".

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📢 Say hello to The Starfish Club - our brand new fundraising programme:

🌟 Bronze – from £2/month: Welcome pack + newsletter + pin badge
🌟 Silver – from £30/month: All the above + powerful survivor audio
🌟 Gold – from £100/month: All the above + exclusive behind-the-scenes podcasts

Respect is deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Baroness Helen Newlove.

Baroness Helen Newlove suffered such terrible loss and turned that pain into her purpose. She was a tireless champion for victims of crime, whose dedication to justice and safety has left an enduring legacy.

The Starfish Club - make a lasting difference Join our community of regular givers and help transform the response to domestic abuse across the UK.

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👥 Let’s show that when we come together, we can create lasting change.

🔗 Join now: ow.ly/AOAF50Xqtnt

#StarfishClub #MakeADifference #DomesticAbuse #VAWG #WorldKindnessDay #ActsOfKindness