The Haven Women's Refuge

4 Women
Leaving an abusive relationship		Case Studies
Women's Forum (*New*)
The all new interactive electronic Women’s forum from The Haven Wolverhampton is a new and fresh form of communication for all to enjoy. It is intended to become the hub of residents’ communications, and a place where issues can be discussed and debated. From which future strategies and services maybe to improve The Havens structure, or ways of tackling concerns for all within the Haven. As well as a place for all too simply socialize and talk. In addition a way for all women to find services, activities within their local area.
To visit the forum please follow the link below:
http://www.havenrefuge.org.uk/Forum/index.php
The Haven Wolverhampton is hosting Artsic – Music & Arts Festival on Saturday 6th December in order to raise awareness about Domestic Violence and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. The event will include live music, live art, raffle, auction, food, drink and the chance to win £5000! Tickets for the festival cost usually £10, HOWEVER, free tickets will be awarded to the first 20 women registered and using The Haven Wolverhampton forum. The forum is the perfect opportunity to have your say, talk to other women and let Haven staff know what you like / don’t like about the organisation. The tickets will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis – and will cost £6 thereafter. The festival promises to be vibrant, exciting and eventful and all proceeds will go towards The Haven Wolverhampton. Please help us to make music and end violence!
Disclaimer
Please note: Any posts in the Haven Forum are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Haven. By using the forum, individual posters agree not to post any defamatory or libelous posts and to accept full responsibility for the items they post. If you participate in any forum on the site, you must not:
Defame, abuse, harass or threaten others
Make any bigoted, hateful, or racially offensive statements
Advocate illegal activity or discuss illegal activities with the intent to commit them
Post or distribute any material that infringes and/or violates any right of a third party or any law
Post or distribute any vulgar, obscene, discourteous, or indecent language or images
Post or distribute any software or materials that contain a virus or other harmful component
Site members and visitors shall remain solely responsible for the content of their messages. Information obtained in a forum may not be accurate or reliable. Never assume that people are who they say they are; know what they say they know; or are affiliated with whom they say they are affiliated within any forum. The Haven shall not be liable for any statement, misstatement, inaccuracy or omission of any type for any content submitted by a site member or visitor on any forum.
The Haven will remove or edit any content posted to any forum at any time and for any reason. By submitting or uploading any materials to any forum, you represent and warrant that you are the owner of such materials and by that action grant the Haven a perpetual, royalty-free, irrevocable, nonexclusive right and license to use and reproduce any such material for display on the site or a derivative created from the site. Please also note that all IP addresses are recorded when items are posted.

Safety Planning (Leaving an abusive relationship)
When considering leaving a violent relationship you will have many questions and apprehensions about what will happen next.
When devising a Safety Plan (or Escape Plan) these are some of the things you should consider:
You should know where to go and what to do in an emergency.
You should call 999 in the event of an emergency.
Teach your children what to do in an emergency. Call 999 and give address. An escape route out of your house. Where is the nearest working phone box. Have any bruises or injuries recorded by a doctor for future use in any legal proceedings, rehousing procedures etc.
"Where can I go?"
Be prepared! Know your your local services:
Local refuges/hostels National Women's aid Number Homeless family unit (council) Social Services/Out of hours Social Services Solicitors
"What do I take with me?"
If you are leaving your home you will need identification. This will be important in trying to apply for benefits, accessing housing and legal proceedings. It is also a good idea to do this gradually as not to draw attention from the perpetrator. Do not endanger yourself further if you can get out. These items are useful but not worth putting yourself at further risk.
Child benefit/Benefit books Passport Birth certificate Full driving license
If possible you should have at least two forms of identification for yourself if not covered by the above items:
Medical cards Bills Tenancy agreement Letters addressed to yourself Library card
Pack a small bag if possible - try to include the following items if you need them:
Medicine Underwear Nappies/bottle Photos Children's favorite toy
Additional measures:
Is there anyone else whom you could involve who you can trust? If someone else knows of your plans this can be added safety measures, BUT this must be someone you can trust - maybe:
Head teacher/form teacher Neighbour Employer
Before leaving:
If the last number you dialled from your phone was a taxi company, refuge or the place where you are going, dial another one before you go - for example, the Speaking Clock (1234) - then your abuser cannot press redial and find out where you have gone to. Do not leave pieces of paper with numbers/addresses on. Remember that writing is imprinted through more than one page on a jotter/note pad.
Other useful information:
Free Helpline Numbers for Orange phone users - You can call more than 240 charity and helpline numbers (supported by the Telephone Helplines Association) free of charge from any Organge phone. Please note that you'll need to have credit on your phone if you are a pay-as-you-go customer, although you won't be charged for the call. Calls to these charities and helplines will not appear on your bill, enabling you to seek help or advice with a greater degree of anonymity. Click here to find out more.
Metropolitan Police Advice - Click to download
Case Studies
Click here to read more about the experiences of women who have been helped by The Haven Wolverhampton.
If you have been helped by The Haven, and want to include your story on our website, please email it to info@havenrefuge.org.uk. Names and personal details will be changed in order to protect your identity.

Page reviewed
on 03/08/06

Visitors since
01/01/05: