A NEW chapter has begun for an organisation that has helped thousands of mid Cheshire families in its 30 year history.

Phoenix Domestic Abuse, formerly Vale Royal Women's Aid, has merged with Cheshire Without Abuse to provide refuge and support across the county.

Speaking at the merger celebration event, Cllr Val Armstrong, chairman of the Phoenix trustees and a member of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: "Domestic abuse has no typical victim.

"It affects people of all ages and ethnicities, men and women, lesbian, gay or transgender, employed or unemployed, poor or wealthy.

"Along with substance abuse and mental health, domestic abuse is one of the main issues leading to referral to our Children in Need teams.

"Domestic abuse, drug and alcohol use and mental health problems – these are what is now called the toxic trio.

"They are having a devastating impact on some of our families."

She added: "I want to reassure everyone that specialist domestic abuse services will be provided by Cheshire Without Abuse.

"It is a charity devoted to preventing abuse and supporting anyone affected by domestic abuse whatever their background."

Vale Royal Women's Aid was formed in 1984, taking on a new name and brand in 2013 as Phoenix Domestic Abuse and Support Services to reflect situations where male partners or people in same sex relationships suffered domestic abuse.

The group also started to promote its work in the community.

Cllr Armstrong said: "Not everyone suffering from abuse wants to go into a refuge and we believed that prevention and community and group work is also crucial if we are ever to reduce domestic abuse."

A merger agreement was signed with Cheshire Without Abuse in December 2015 following a loss of funding for Phoenix.

More than 80 people attended a celebration event at Northwich Memorial Court to mark the merger of the services on International Women's Day, March 8.

Jenny Bowman, a founder member of Vale Royal Women's Aid and Phoenix trustee, said: "Those involved in working with people who have survived domestic abuse and violence will be all too aware of the dramas which unfold – the mothers and children who arrive in a state of trauma, having fled from seriously dangerous situations."

She added: "Many of our former clients, whether from outreach or refuge support, have maintained contact after leaving and it was always heartening to hear their success stories – some to stable relationships, others to study, training, college and careers.

"The most rewarding was to see women who arrived with very low self-esteem moving on with sufficient confidence so they could make a new life for themselves and their children."

For more information about the services offered by Cheshire Without Abuse visit cheshirewithoutabuse.org.uk.

Anyone concerned about themselves or someone else experiencing abuse can ring the Cheshire Without Abuse 24-hour helpline number 01270 250390. 

Domestic Abuse factfile

  • n In 2014-15 there were more than 1,300 reports of domestic abuse to police in west Cheshire.
  • n There were 8,000 domestic abuse incidents reported to police across Cheshire.
  • n Vale Royal Women's Aid and Phoenix had helped 1,900 women since its records began in the 1990s.
  • n One in six men will be victims of domestic abuse in their lifetime.
  • n One in four women experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.