18/06/2021 - Women’s Aid Luton

Luton mum Shameya was attending a local mental health wellbeing group when her facilitator became concerned that she may be experiencing domestic abuse at home.

Shameya’s partner would not allow her to have any control over the parenting of their children and she was not allowed to see family and friends. She was restricted to her bedroom, and only allowed into the kitchen to cook meals for her partner and children.

She was unsure whether this was abuse - or whether it was her depression.

Shameya’s partner had never been physically abusive towards her, but exhibited controlling behaviours like tracking her phone and placing cameras in and around the family home so that he would know when she went out.

He kept guns in the house, and Shameya also had concerns around her youngest son’s behaviour – who expressed violent feelings and actions towards his mum.

Shameya was referred to Women’s Aid, one of groups that helps deal with the impacts of domestic abuse in Luton and which has received vital funding from the council’s airport company London Luton Airport ltd (LLAL) for more than 12 years.

She was able to discuss her situation in a safe environment, and the helpline and outreach services supported her with a safety and support plan.

They helped Shameya find a safe place to stay with a friend, before supporting further moves into a temporary refuge and finally a long-term one.

Staff also liaised with her children’s school, Luton Council’s safeguarding services and the police to make sure her children were safe too.

Women’s Aid supports around 900 local women every year.

Chief executive Jane Firmin said: “It is so important that local women and children are able to access support for domestic abuse. If these services were not available in the local community, we would see crisis situations, abuse escalating and potential homicide.

“LLAL funding enables us to have the resources to be able to react and respond flexibly to the needs of women and children in Luton. Refuge is not always an option, frequently our support is to provide information, guidance and practical help so that women are given choice and control about their next steps.

“Without this funding, we would not be able to support the numbers of women and children in the community. We estimate on average around 750 women every year would lose out on crucial support and services at a time they need it the most.”

CEO Jane Firmin and Children, Families and Young Persons Officer Karla celebrating a grant which paid for women and their children to visit the seaside.