I found the section on responding appropriately to a patient disclosing domestic abuse very helpful. The training regarding perpetrators was interesting as we often think of the victim only.
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When our service started, over 40 years ago, our aim was to provide a refuge for women and children to keep them safe from domestic abuse and violence.
Over time, we’ve expanded to meet the ever-changing needs of those affected by domestic abuse. Today, we work with high risk victims, whilst also delivering early intervention and education programmes in the community to raise awareness.
We are supported by local people and businesses with generous donations of everything from clothes and household goods, as well as financial donations, without which we wouldn’t be where we are today.
A year in our Outreach Support Centre:
advice sessions attended
telephone calls
crisis telephone Support calls
additional telephone support calls
MARAC referrals
Adult Services accessed
Adult Services clients
individual women attended 97 Freedom Programme sessions
counselling sessions were offered
of clients felt the counselling helped with their issues
A year of our Children and Young People’s team:
individual safety plans created
therapeutic group sessions
individuals have accessed our services
1:1 support advice and guidance sessions
A year of our Healthy Relationships programme:
children educated on Healthy Relationships
primary schools in Bolton visited
teachers trained on DAV and the affects on children
A year training GP’s to recognise and respond, to domestic abuse:
referrals
increase in referrals from the previous year
professionals trained
GP practices worked with
A year in our Lewis House refuge:
of women felt that they had a better understanding of domestic abuse
women stayed with us
children accompanied their parent
weeks was the average length of stay
To find out more about how you can support Fortalice, contact us
What people have to say about Fortalice…
All of the training was helpful and very interesting. I feel I now have more knowledge and a better understanding of domestic abuse and the IRIS service.
Training was very well delivered, very informative and clear. All of it was helpful including discussing the benefit of asking probing questions and different ways of asking the question. I thought the case study of the Domestic Homicide Review was thought provoking and real cases bring the topic to life. I thought the training was excellent. Thank you to all of you at IRIS for providing such a valuable service to people in Bolton.
My IRIS advocate has helped me really get back on my feet and shown such love and empathy that gave me encouragement to get back out there and make a life for myself.
My IRIS support worker has been great. She is helpful, understanding and a great listener. She’s also very knowledgeable about domestic abuse and has helped me so much.
My Advocate Educator has been a fantastic support and kept me strong when having to face court against my ex-husband. She has given me valuable advice and helped me through the court process.
When you suffer domestic abuse as a man in a relationship it is just laughed off by pretty much everyone and it makes you feel utterly hopeless and alone. Thankfully, with your help I’ve been able to find a way to deal with my partner’s erratic behaviour and I can see some light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you
Fortalice is a brilliant place to work. The work environment is positive and supportive of its staff and there are always opportunities to complete further training in domestic abuse awareness to enhance understanding and knowledge. I feel empowered in my role at Fortalice and I get to work alongside inspirational professionals that encourage my personal development.
Working for Fortalice has helped me to grow, both personally and professionally. I’ve actually worked for Fortalice twice! It’s the only place I’ve ever wanted to return to after leaving!
I feel as a team we support each other and are able to rely on one another for help, guidance and a friendly ear when days can be challenging. We are there to empower each other so that we are able to give the best of ourselves in supporting victims.