Babergh Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum...

is an independent, multi-agency Forum, founded in 2001 who work to raise awareness of domestic violence related issues and the development of domestic violence local resources, policy and agency response.

November saw the launch of the Survivor's Stories DVD, a collection of 13 interviews given by female and male survivors of domestic violence and abuse from across the UK.

Our reporter Kerry Burn went along to the launch to find out more about this project.

The project was the brainchild of Cathy Press, Chair of Babergh Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum who recognised the need for a training tool that would enable front line professionals and managers to understand more deeply the complex experiences and issues that survivors of domestic violence and abuse face.

The launch of the DVD was held at Babergh District Council offices and around 80 people from a number of organisations across Suffolk and Essex attended. After the initial welcome from Cathy Press, Chair of Babergh Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum, we were shown clips from each of the stories from the DVD and then were given a guided tour around the new website. The website incorporates the clips and transcripts from each of the 13 stories and also provides information on how to order the DVD and links to other useful websites.

Cathy Press, (Chair of Forum), and Ann Scott, (Community Safety Officer at BDC), with participants from the DVD (Photo courtesy of Eastern Light Photography)

Since the launch this training resource has received a phenomenal amount of positive feedback with local radio stations, newspapers and even TV reporting on the project.

In addition to this they have already received numerous emails of support and enquiries about using the DVD for training from: The National Welsh Assembly, UK Police Forces, Police in Germany, a domestic violence charity in Japan, Youth Offending Services, County and District Councils all over the UK, Women's Aid, Divorce Aid, and many more.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the project and we wish them every success in promoting this valuable resouce. For more informaiton about this project and how to order the DVD visit: http://www.domestic-violence-survivors-stories.org.uk