Domestic Abuse Awareness Month: With Survivors, Always – The Power of Support, Understanding and Change

October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions and remind every survivor that they are not alone.

This year’s theme, ‘With Survivors, Always’, highlights the importance of standing alongside survivors, listening without judgement and creating a society where everyone can live free from violence and abuse.

Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, background or circumstances. However, for women who are already experiencing disadvantage or who come into contact with the criminal justice system, the challenges of seeking safety and support can be particularly complex.

As a service supporting women involved in the criminal justice system, at LAT we recognise the importance of understanding the impact of domestic abuse, recognising the barriers women face and ensuring that survivors receive the support, compassion and opportunities they deserve.

 

Why awareness matters

Domestic abuse is not always visible. It does not always leave physical injuries and it can take many forms, including emotional, psychological, financial and sexual abuse, as well as coercive and controlling behaviour.

For some women, reaching out for help can feel impossible. Fear, shame, financial dependence, threats, isolation and concerns about children or pets can all make leaving an abusive relationship incredibly difficult.

The following statistics highlight the scale and seriousness of domestic abuse:

• It has been widely reported that the police receive a call relating to domestic abuse every 30 seconds. (Refuge)
• According to Victim Support, on average up to 35 incidents can happen before a woman reports an incident.
• One woman every five days is killed by an abusive partner or ex-partner in England and Wales – that’s six women just in October. (Refuge)
• Leaving an abusive relationship is rarely a straightforward or one-time decision. A woman may attempt to leave up to seven or eight times before she is able to establish lasting safety.
• Concerns about children, keeping their lives as stable as possible, pets, housing, finances and personal belongings can all create significant barriers to leaving. (Women’s Aid)
• Every year, women continue to lose their lives at the hands of current or former partners, highlighting the potentially fatal consequences of domestic abuse.
• According to Refuge each week around 30 women attempt to take their own life because of the abuse they are enduring, and every week 12 succeed.

These figures and realities remind us that domestic abuse is not simply a private matter between two people. It is a wider societal issue that requires awareness, understanding, prevention and action.

 

How friends, family and colleagues can support survivors

The theme ‘With Survivors, Always’ reminds us that support does not have to begin with a specialist service. Sometimes it begins with a friend asking if everything is okay, a colleague noticing a change in behaviour or a family member offering a safe space to talk.

You could be the first person someone feels able to confide in. You may also be the person who notices that something doesn’t seem right.

A woman experiencing abuse may not directly ask for help. She may become withdrawn or anxious, lose confidence, miss social occasions or appear increasingly isolated from the people around her. There may be explanations for these changes, but approaching someone with kindness and concern can open the door to a conversation that makes a difference.

 

Improving support for survivors through the justice system

In 2025, rape cases took an average of 424 days to complete once they had reached the Crown Court, and in one in 10 adult rape prosecutions the victim withdrew from the process as they could not go through the continued waiting. These long waits can place enormous emotional strain on victims and survivors, potentially affecting their wellbeing and confidence in the justice process.

In September 2026, the Prime Minister announced that the Government is investing £23 million in the rollout of specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offence cases across every Crown Court in England and Wales. The plans include prioritising cases, trauma-informed training for court staff, private waiting areas and facilities to support pre-recorded evidence. These measures aim to reduce delays and improve the experience of victims and survivors navigating the court process.

This is an important development in recognising that the way survivors are treated throughout the justice process matters. Specialist provision can help create an environment in which people feel safer, better supported and more confident that their needs are being considered.

For women who have experienced domestic abuse and are also navigating the criminal justice system, trauma-informed support is particularly important in helping them feel safe, heard and understood, reducing the risk of re-traumatisation and ensuring their experiences and individual needs are recognised throughout the process.

We must continue to build on this progress and consider how similar trauma-informed principles can strengthen the support available to women experiencing domestic abuse.

 

How can you get involved this October?

Domestic Abuse Awareness Month is an opportunity for all of us to take action. Raising awareness is important but turning that awareness into meaningful support is what helps create lasting change.

Here are four ways you can make a difference:

• Wear purple on 15th October – purple is a recognised colour of domestic abuse awareness. Wearing purple is a simple way to show your support for survivors, start conversations and demonstrate your commitment to ending abuse.

 

•  Speak up – have conversations with friends, family members and colleagues. Challenge harmful myths and attitudes that excuse abusive behaviour or place responsibility on the person experiencing abuse. A conversation can help someone recognise that support is available.

 

• Share knowledge and experiences – share reliable statistics, educational resources and awareness campaigns. If you feel comfortable doing so, sharing lived experiences can also help others feel less isolated. Always respect privacy, consent and personal boundaries.

 

• Educate yourself and others – take advantage of free webinars, training opportunities, specialist resources and relevant news articles. Learn to recognise the signs of domestic abuse, understand coercive control and find out what support is available locally.

 

Awareness should not stop when October ends. We all have a role in creating safer communities and ensuring that survivors are supported throughout the year.

 

With survivors, always – how LAT is making a difference

At Lincolnshire Action Trust, we believe no person should have to face domestic abuse and that everyone deserves safety, support and hope.

We work alongside local and national partners such as EIDA,  Women’s Aid, EDAN Lincs, Blue Door,  Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Service to ensure the safety of our clients. Our work is holistic and trauma-informed, focussing on empowering individuals to rebuild their lives with confidence.

Our Women RISE project for women and girls supports those across Lincolnshire who have come close to the criminal justice system because of the abuse they have experienced, helping them build resilience and reduce risk.

This Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, we encourage everyone to speak up, challenge harmful attitudes, learn to recognise the signs of abuse, and listen without judgement. Together, we can help create a future where every woman feels safe, supported and valued.

Need support for yourself or someone you know? Find out more about our women’s services or contact Lincolnshire Action Trust:

Telephone: 01522 806611

Email: hello@LATcharity.org.uk

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999

Everyone deserves to live free from abuse, with the safety, support and hope to build a brighter future.