Milestones for Violence Against Women in UK

History of The Haven Wolverhampton

1970

The Suffrage movement (also known as the Women's Movement or Women's Liberation) begin a series of campaigns on issues such as reproductive rights (sometimes including abortion), domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, sexual harassment, and sexual violence.

Concerned Wolverhampton professionals start pressing for better facilities to meet the needs of homeless local women.
Geoff Webster supports The Haven in development and has continued to support to the present day.

1971

Refuge opened the first safe house for women and children experiencing domestic violence in Chiswick, London.
Jack Ashley MP raises the issue of domestic violence for the first time in Parliament.

1973

MAY: The Haven Project, Wolverhampton is established with all party support which has continued to this day. The Haven is staffed by two Community Service Volunteers - the first of many whose contributions have become a permanent, essential and valued part of The Haven Project.
15 OCTOBER: The Haven accommodates its first resident at a council house on the Scotland estate. There is room for 6 residents who must be older than 17 and not have children. The rent is £8 per week for board and lodging.
The Charity Commissioners are told that The Haven Project exists "For the care and treatment of persons in need who are homeless or suffering from psychological or physical infirmity, adverse circumstances, ill health or being in need of help in finding a settled way of life through hostels or residential accommodation, and that their conditions of life may be improved."

1974

Women’s Aids Federation was set up.

House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee on Violence in Marriage recommends the establishment of 800 women's refuges nationwide.
It also recommends a minimum of 1 family place in a refuge per 10,000 population.

Appointment of co-ordinator, A. Devine.

Half day Conference on homelessness.

The first Domestic Violence Bill (the Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act) gave new rights to civil protection orders for those at risk of violence

The Haven closes 31 Tennyson Road and opens 2 new hostels
The Haven takes its first student placements from Hatfield, Birmingham and Swansea Universities.
Formation of Wolverhampton Homeless and Exceptional Needs Group (WHEN).
Local Authority Homeless Families Unit formed.
Appointment of Sandra Horley as Director.
Community Service introduced in Wolverhampton probation.
Report of Wolfenden Committee - The Future of Voluntary Organisations.
Committee agree to name one of the Hostels after the late Rev Chown, "Chown House". A donation to help furnish the hostel was given to The Haven in memory of his late wife.

The Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977. Women and children at risk were acknowledged as homeless and gained the right to state help with temporary accommodation

New research in Scotland revealed that I in 4 reported violent crimes were classed as‘wife assault’.

The Haven begins its partnership with Copec Housing Trust (later named Focus Housing Association) and first purpose built refuge in Britain is designed.
The Haven is asked by Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council to extend its services to Asian women, after a local Asian women's refuge closes.
The Oak House hostel opens.

The Haven employs 3 salaried employees. Its first director, Sandra Horley, leaves to take over the running of Chiswick Family Rescue. Sue Coleman becomes a Director.

Massive press campaign after official figures point to 28,000 assaults against women in their homes in London alone.
Balwant Kaur stabbed to death by husband at Brent Asian Women's Refuge.

Crown Prosecution Service takes over decisions about whether or not a public prosecution should be brought in rape cases. By 1998 the numbers of rape cases brought to trial by the CPS have dropped by one third to one fifth. 

The Metropolitan Police open the first domestic violence units in the country.

New purpose built hostel opened, with funds from the Housing Corporation.
Inner Areas funding Grant allows the purchase of Amstrad computers. Christopher Heywood, a volunteer, writes a programme specific to The Haven's needs to collect data on referrals and admissions.

The establishment of first new local multi-agency forums on domestic violence.

The Housing Act 1988 - Introduced assured tenancies and de-regulated rents which led to a more insecure future for women and children escaping domestic violence and seeking housing in the private sector. However the Act paved the way for greater development of supported housing services which helped refuge service development. 

Inner Areas Programme funds a "Care Link" telephone system to link two hostels.
Wholesale change to benefit system includes introduction of "Social Fund" loans replacing grants. The Haven establishes stores of essential household items for ex-residents setting up new homes.
Supplementary Benefit replaced by Income Support placing single women under 25 at great financial disadvantage and jeopardising the fundamental Haven aim of resettling homeless young people in the community. The Haven policy shifts to finding employment for the young homeless. 16-18 year olds become ineligible for Income Support making it difficult for them to pay for their stay in The Haven.
Community Programme funding ends with the inadvertent loss of most black project workers.

The Children Act 1989 - The Act placed great emphasis on child protection and parental responsibility but ignored domestic violence.

The Haven's Oak House becomes "single women only" and records increasing numbers of young, single homeless women - usually teenagers.
The Haven helps develop a training and action programme to combat domestic violence for West Midlands Police Force.
Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Initiative (WDVI) set up with £15,000 from the Home Office Safer Cities initiative. It is managed by and based at The Haven and employs a consultant, Karen Holden, who:

• develops drama and discussion workshops with Leisure Services and Education Dept to raise issues of awareness in schools and youth clubs;
• helps Wolverhampton MBC develop a Corporate Policy on Domestic Violence helps develop the West Midlands Police Force Policy on domestic violence;
• contributes towards the Community Care Plan for Children;
• supports the establishment of PAX, a voluntary organisation for male, abusive partners who refer themselves for help.

The Law Commission Enquiry into Domestic Violence make recommendations for a new law after taking evidence from a wide range of legal and court professionals.

Crisis as central government funding withdrawn. Wolverhampton MBC Social Services Committee picks up the shortfall.
Haven workers begin National Vocational Qualification in Care courses to become 'properly' qualified.
Appointment of a Play Development Worker.

Women and Violence: Perspectives for Change, a national conference organised by Wolverhampton MBC and Wolverhampton DV initiative with funds form the Home Office Safer Cities project.
Over 30 agencies participate in the Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum.
The Haven Equal Opportunities Statement adopted.

Review of all voluntary organisations in Wolverhampton by Borough Council forces The Haven to reassess its operations.
Two new staff appointed: Volunteer Organiser and Mental Health Worker.
Counselling services established at The Haven.

1993/94 - The Home Affairs Select Committee Enquiry into Domestic Violence recommend that funding to ensure effective provision of refuge services is the single most important measure the government can take.

Sue Coleman leaves to become Director of the Home Office Drug Prevention Initiative in Wolverhampton.
Kath Rees becomes Chief Executive of The Haven.

The Haven struggles with the introduction of the contract culture, new charity laws, single regeneration budget bids and changes in the Housing Corporation system of funding.
The Haven employs an Asian Project Worker.

The Haven together with Wulfrun College and the Wolverhampton Training and Enterprise Council, with funding from the European Social Fund launches its first Women's Training Programme with nine modules to enable women to learn more skills such as computing and office administration, money management and confidence building.
The Haven and The Body Shop (through the 'One in Five' Campaign) combine to launch a petition demanding more backing for women's refuges nationwide.
The BBC Children in Need appeal funds the Haven's Play Development Worker for 3 years.

The amendments to the Family Law Act Part IV, which gives more effective civil remedies for protection from violent partners with automatic powers of arrest where violence has been used or threatened.

The Haven counsellor, Barbara Downs, begins a programme of support for partners of men ordered to attend the 15 week Domestic Violence Perpetrators' Programmes run by the Wolverhampton Probation Service as part of their probation orders.
Forging links with international partners.

Family Law Act 1996 – Part IV: expands ‘associated persons’ making civil injunctions available to a wider group of people, law governing ‘ex-parte’ applications relaxed and ‘balance of harm’ test established; and
Protection from Harassment Act 1997: introduced as a response to ‘stalking’ – created a criminal offence of harassment and civil remedy for restraining of damages for such an offence.

LifePlans began providing a unique one to one service to reach and establish positive working relationships with extremely alienated, emotionally fragile and suspicious young women (16-25 year olds). Project funding came from The National Lottery Charities Board.

BMA (British Medical Association) published "DV: A Health Care Issue" guidelines, which put Domestic Violence on the public agenda, raising awareness amongst all health professionals.

Wolverhampton and Nottingham police begin national pilot schemes to decriminalise prostitution in the under 18s and to treat young teenage prostitutes as victims of child abuse. The pilot involves staff and volunteers from The Haven.
The Haven participates in the making of the Channel 4 Despatches documentary, "Men Behaving Badly". .

Women Ministers launch ‘Living Without Fear’, a national strategic approach to violence against women

The Haven celebrates 25 years of helping Homeless Women and Victims of Domestic Violence.
The Haven goes on-line: www.havenrefuge.org.uk
On the 5th July The Haven realised a long term plan when it opened a charity shop, The Clothesline.
On 26 July 1999 The Haven opened its fifth hostel providing an additional 18 beds for five or six families. Within days it was full and has stayed full. The provision is sensitive to cultural issues.

Safeguarding Children in Prostitution Guidance

The Haven receives the Investors in People Award.
A member of staff is appointed to deal with referrals and provide continuity to referring agency.
The Show Me Support Project was established in November 2000 and it aims to continue the existing LifePlans Programme, whilst developing new areas of work (for example, Peer Support).
Recruitment of a Counselling Co-ordinator, Play Worker and Administrator/Counsellor have been fulfilled as have the successful appointment of a team of 8 specialist sessional workers to provide support for children and ethnic minority groups within The Haven. Refurbishment of the Counselling premises has been carried out.
The Haven Wolverhampton worked with The Crisis Centre "Ekaterina", Russia and BE Training UK on the project funded by the British Know How fund to create a network of social partnerships between NGOs, local authorities, police and business communities, in order to address the problem of domestic violence.

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) – first Domestic Violence Policy and Guidance and monitors performance once a year.

Introduction of Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements for sexual offenders.

Major refurbishment of the largest family hostel, providing twelve units of accommodation including facilities for disabled people/children. All units have en-suite facilities; there is a non-smoking lounge as well as a smoking lounge. The kitchen area has extended massively increasing to accommodate open plan kitchen areas and a large accessible dining space. There are cooking and washing facilities for disabled resident in one kitchen.

2001/03 - The Haven Wolverhampton was involved in "Strengthening the Russian Association of Crisis Centres (RACC)" project, commissioned by Women's Aid and funded through the Department for International Development (DfID), UK.

Rape Action Plan launched following the publication of HMIC/HMCPSI Joint Thematic Without Consent

Economic Development Officer, IT Support Officer and a new Play Worker are appointed.
Expansion of the Criminal Justice Support Services.
Individual Support Plans are now developed for every resident.
Supporting women and children in this country and abroad (projects in Russia, Uzbekistan and Tanzania).

Home Office launch of 'Safety & Justice' Consultation Paper
Launch of the 24hr National Domestic Violence freephone helpline, run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge.

Female Genital Mutilation Act

Sexual Offences Ac

2003/04 - Development of 14 Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs)

2003/05 CPS Domestic Violence project to pilot Specialist Domestic Violence Courts and develops Good Practice Guidance for prosecutors

2003/06 - Gender Equality Public Service Agreement (PSA)

The POPPY project set up.

April: Under the new Supporting People programme the current complex funding arrangements for housing-related support services is combined to form a single budget. The Haven welcome supporting people and set up a number of Floating Support schemes.
The Haven receives a number of awards: NIACE Award for LifePlans project; Lifetime Excellence Award won by Mrs Honor Pringle for the first Black Country Inspirational Women Award.
The Women 4 Women group was recognised for its work in empowering women survivors of domestic violence.
Research programme for Counselling for Children is launched.
Criminal Justice Support Services Coordinator is appointed.
The Haven Wolverhampton has been nominated by The Guardian Appeal as one of seven Charities who are involved in working with domestic violence around the country.
The Haven celebrates 30 years (1973-2003) of supporting women and children escaping domestic violence; a conference is held to mark the anniversary.

The Haven was re-accredited for the Investors in People Award.
The Haven Mission Statement and the definition of Domestic Violence were reviewed.
The External Training Department was developed to deliver a wide range of training to volunteers, sessional workers and external agencies to include subjects related to domestic violence. The Haven became OCN accredited training provider.
Welfare and Benefits Advice Worker Appointed.
The Haven Wolverhampton opens a new building in the centre of the city to provide Advice, Counselling, Training, Information, Volunteering and Education for women and children who are homeless and/or escaping domestic violence, known as the A.C.T.I.V.E. Centre.
The FATE Trust funded a pilot programme delivered by the Haven and The Crisis centre “Ekaterina”, Russia, which identified the need for further training of all JPs and legal professionals in the area.

March is National Domestic Violence Month
Official launch of the Forced Marriage Unit
National Report and National Delivery Plan
Launch of the Corporate Alliance Against Domestic Violence
Domestic Abuse Strategy for Wales
Announcement to establish 25 Specialist Domestic Violence Courts by end of 05/06
“Tackling Violence at home” strategy for domestic violence and abuse, NI
Joint Police and CPS Training programme started
2005/06 – 100 Independent Domestic Violence Advisors trained with over 70 trained in 2006/07
2005/06 - Forced Marriage Consultation on creation of a specific offence

Appointment of a part-time Independent Advocacy Worker.
The Haven successfully passes Supporting People Review.
‘The Clothesline’ ceased trading in September 2005 due to the relocation of the Business Office to Herian House, Fold Street, Wolverhampton.

Over 400 refuges in the UK

2006/08 - Gender Equality PSA
Pilot of the first Integrated Domestic Violence Court
Coordinated Prostitution Strategy
The UK Human Trafficking Centre opened
Homicide Review guidance published for consultation
Funding of Independent DV Advisers and Independent Sexual Violence Advisers
20006/07 – Publication of health professionals’ domestic violence handbook and DVD

The Haven opens Pearl House increasing the accommodation capacity to 46 units.
2006/09 - The Haven works in partnership with The Crisis Centre “Ekaterina”, Russia on the 3 year project  funded by the Big Lottery Fund to support women of the Sverdlovsk Area in taking their cases through the criminal justice system.
2006/09 – Working in partnership with the Socio Economic Development centre "SABR" within a Technical Support Partnership Agreement to protect the interests of and improve the living standards women and girls in Samarkand Area, Uzbekistan.

Government publishes response to 2006 consultation on Convicting Rapist and Protecting the Public: Work to continue on general expert model.
Cross Government Sexual Violence and Abuse Action Plan is publishes.
Cross Givernment Rape performance Group is established to monitor police and CPS perfornace.
Intriduction of special measures to enable victims of sexual violence to five evidence in court.
MAPPA Guidance updated tpo eunsure 3rd party disclosure is considered in all sexual and violent  cases to better protect victims and potential victims.
Gender Equality Duty
Action Plan published on Human Trafficking

The first Stakeholders' Day is held to inform local partners of The Haven's activities.
New Hostel Shirlin House is opened, providing 10 units of accommodation.
The ACTIVE centre closes as an office and the Floating Support, Advocacy, Resettlement and External Training services move to the same city centre premises as the administrative office. Counselling Services also move to join the other services, providing a central base for the Haven's non-residential services.
The Haven was accredited under European Voluntary Service (Youth In Action)  with status as a Hosting organisation in 2007 until 2010.
The Haven Wolverhampton took part in the Commonwealth Professional Fellowship scheme, hosting Mr. Hasrat Arjjumend, Director of Indian charity Grassroots India

In October 2007 British delegates including representatives from Home Office, Wolverhampton’s Magistrates’ Court and The Haven Wolverhampton delivered speeches at the first of it’s kind in Russia conference on Domestic Violence held Ekaterinburg as part of the project “Life Without Fear”

2008-2013 New PSA announced – PSA 23(1) Reduce most serious violence, including tackling serious sexual offenders and domestic violence.
Cross Government – Tackling Violence Action Plan launched includes a number of commitments to tackle sexual and domestic violence.
Home Office review into methods for dealing with prostitution
Launch of SARC expert team by HO and DH.
Tackling the Demand for Prostitution Review
CPS Report of Forced Marriage and Honor Based Pilots
Launch of the Forced marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 and Statutory Guidance
UK ratified the Council of Europe Convention Against Human Trafficking.

Launch of V-Involved project to inspire young people aged between 16 and 25 to volunteer within various organisations and develop different projects in order to make a difference.
First volunteers from Italy and France were hosted by the Haven.
Refurbishment of the hostel for single women.
The Haven delivered training to two delegations from Saudi Arabia.
The Haven delivered sessions at 10th International Interdisciplinary Congress On Women in Madrid and at World first Conference of Women's Shelters in Canada.

The Haven appoints a Public Relations Officer

The Haven hosts a music and arts festival to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

The Haven Wolverhampton supports the first WoW Women's Fair

CPS revises Domestic Violence and Rape Polices and Guidelines.
Over 200 Multi- Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) operational
104 Specialist Domestic Violence Courts operational
Home Office launched the largest ever cross-government public consultation to tackle violence against women and girls: The Together We Can End Violence Against Women And Girls* (new window)

October 2009 - Coordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse (CAADA) launch the Safety in Numbers Report. The report detailed the work of IDVA services across the UK, of which The Haven Wolverhampton was one. The report found that in 57% of cases, domestic abuse ceased completely following the intervention of an IDVA.

November 2009 - The Government launches the 'Together we can end violence against women and girls' strategy. This cross-government strategy sets out a coordinated approach to ending violence against women and girls. It includes a range of actions for the police, councils, the NHS and government departments across three areas: prevention, provision and protection.

March 2009 - The Haven Wolverhampton International  Conference ‘Improving Futures: Working Together to End Domestic Violence – New Solutions for a New World’ fell during International Women's Week and featured speakers from across the globe.

March 2009 - The Haven Wolverhampton welcomes Casey Gwinn and Gael Strack from the Family Justice Centre Alliance, San Diego, USA to meet and talk with Wolverhampton officials about the Family Justice Centre Model

March 2009 - Delegates from The Haven Wolverhampton visit partners from the Crisis 'Ekaterina' in Russia to support the evaluation of the three year project 'Life Without Fear'

The Haven Wolverhampton launched a new 3 year innovative counselling service funded by Big Lottery to women and children who have experienced domestic violence, homelessness and other forms of abuse.  From April 2009, the ‘Beyond Surviving’ team will offer counselling support one-to-one, in group sessions and on the telephone and on-line.

In April 2009 The Haven Wolverhampton expands its referral line to become a helpline with more staff and volunteers able to answer a greater volume of calls.

April 2009 - The Haven Wolverhampton receives funding from Wolverhampton Learning Partnership to open an IT suite at one of its refuges. Workshops in basic IT skills are offered to residents once a week.

June 2009 - The Haven Wolverhampton becomes Sainsbury's Wolverhampton Local Charity of the Year. The partnership is launched with a balloon race.

June 2009 - Staff from The Haven Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton Magistrates Court visit partners in Uzbekistan.

September 2009 - Staff and volunteers raise funds for The Haven Wolverhampton by taking part in the Carvers Wolverhampton Marathon around West Park.

October 2009 - Residents, staff and volunteers at The Haven Wolverhampton take part in a week's fire awareness training course in conjunction with West Midlands Fire Service.

October 2009 - The Pearl of the East Women's Cultural and Business Forum - UK/Uzbekistan is held in London to celebrate the 10 year partnership between The Haven Wolverhampton and SABR, Uzbekistan.

November/December 2009 - The Haven Wolverhampton Celebrates White Ribbon Week with a display at the Wulfrun Centre in conjunction with Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Fourm.

December 2009 - The Haven Wolverhampton launches the Community Advocacy Support Team during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign.