Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) supports victims of domestic violence in York (From York Press)

Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) supports victims of domestic violence in York

9:50am Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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WHEN she eventually dialled 999, Janet Redwood had two black eyes and was in a state of shock after being repeatedly punched by the man she loved.

Police arrived at her York home within minutes of the call and after a search of the neighbourhood, her partner was arrested. In court, he pleaded guilty to common assault and was sentenced to eight weeks in prison. He was also banned from making any form of contact with Janet for three years.

Today, Janet urges other victims of domestic abuse to use the excellent support services available in York. These include the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS), which offers advice, accommodation and support to men and women experiencing abuse in their relationships.

Janet, 46, said: “If I hadn’t gone to IDAS, I would never have seen how ridiculous my situation was. After talking to a support worker it suddenly became so obvious what he was doing to me. I burst into tears because I thought why did I not see that? How blind was I?

“My partner was very, very manipulative and I know it sounds ridiculous but I found myself in a position where he was dictating everything I did, even isolating me from my family and friends.

“He used to lie to me constantly and now I don’t think anything that came out of his mouth was true, not even his date of birth. Abuse comes in many forms and for me it was largely mental. The violence was the last straw that finally made me realise.”

Janet, who lives in Heworth with her twin sons and works at York Science Park, was with her partner for 18 months before she decided to seek help.

She said: “At the time you don’t actually know it’s happening. It wasn’t until I started going for sessions with IDAS that it all slotted into place and I saw him as the perpetrator.

“My overwhelming emotion was guilt. I felt responsible for everything that had happened. I thought, I’m an intelligent woman, I should have seen it, I shouldn’t have allowed it to happen. But domestic violence happens to anybody.

“It’s easy for someone to say that’s outrageous, why did you let this person do these horrible things to you? But it’s not that simple.

“I knew I had to cut him out my life, but there are very deep emotions there and I was in love with him.”

Janet praised the help she has received not only from IDAS, but also from the police – who now have specialist Protecting Vulnerable Persons (PVP) units, which have dedicated officers trained in dealing with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.

She said she also received fantastic support from her Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA), who guided her through the court proceedings.

Janet, who is university-educated, said: “My message to other women is that there is somebody there to support you. Get in touch with IDAS and if you call the police, they will be there in minutes. They take domestic violence very seriously.

“IDAS is brilliant. They listen, they are not shocked and they are not emotionally involved. They are not there to give you their opinion, they are there to give you professional advice and support.

“Neither are they there to separate you and partner if that’s not what you want. They are there to help you to work out your problems.”

Janet said she was now keen to use her own experiences to help other victims of domestic abuse by volunteering for IDAS.

She said she was hoping to set up a “buddy” scheme, whereby former victims of domestic abuse, like herself, could use their own experiences to support present victims.

She said: “When these women most need the help is 12 o’clock at night when they are feeling completely distressed and it would be great if they could have a “buddy” who they could phone at whatever time.

“I think it would make such a difference if they could speak to someone who has been there themselves who can take them through it and give them that support.”

After reporting her case to the police, Janet was able to benefit from a scheme called Cocoon Watch, whereby the local policing team contacted her neighbours and asked them to keep an eye out for her.

She said police also fitted her home with an alarm, so if she felt in any danger she could press the button on her remote control and a message would automatically be sent to the police control room requesting help.

“This was a nice reassurance to have,” she said. “There is so much support out there and I just want to urge other victims to take what help is available.”

To get in touch with IDAS, phone 01904 646630.