You do deserve help - domestic abuse survivor

Mother-of-four Hannah said help with breaking a cycle of abuse had been invaluable

When Hannah's abusive 17-year marriage broke down, she said the impact on her children was obvious.

"The children saw a lot that children shouldn't have to see," she said.

"They were hurting, but I'm a dental nurse, I'm not a therapist. And, with them all having different issues, I didn't know how to help them."

Hannah reached out for help and was supported by a Family Domestic Abuse Support Advisor - or DASA - that works alongside social work teams.

The 37-year-old said: "She helped me by making me feel like I wasn't going insane.

"She didn't just offer emotional support and help around feeling safe, she was also there for practical things so it really helped."

Hannah said the children had all benefitted from individual support as well.

Sian Lawrence from charity First Light said families have different needs when dealing with domestic abuse

Hannah said she has chosen to speak publicly to encourage others to seek support.

She said: "You don't feel like you deserve the help because you are an adult; you put yourself in that situation. But I highly recommend taking that help and you do deserve it."

The project that helped Hannah and her children has worked with almost 900 families across Cornwall in two-and-a-half years.

First Light, a domestic abuse and sexual violence charity commissioned by Cornwall Council, employs the DASAs.

Family DASAs work alongside designated children’s social workers to provide face-to-face support, advice and guidance to families impacted by domestic abuse.

Team leader Sian Lawrence said it was very much about breaking a cycle of abuse within a family.

She said: "If you've been brought up in a family and there's been abuse, that's normal for you, and it's about us making sure that that doesn't continue."

'Reduced risk'

Rebecca Sargent, head of service and lead for the project at Cornwall Council, said domestic abuse could have a far-reaching impact on the lives of children and families.

"It can impact on a child's health, education and social needs, and there may be other issues such as housing and financial difficulties that children and families experience as a result of domestic abuse.

"The family DASAs are able to work together with social workers and other social care staff to enable children and their families to access support which means they quickly get the right help they need."

Ann Toms, domestic abuse manager at First Light, said: "The DASA project has really gone from strength to strength and now plays a vital and integral role in child safeguarding.

"Since it began, we have shown that the family DASAs have improved families' lives and reduced risk."

Hannah said: "With the help the children are getting, and the help that I've got, I know which way is forward now.

"I'm not going backwards, I'm back on track."