Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (BDAP) Support Hub Scheme (previously Safe Spaces scheme) promotes that certain places in our local communities can:

• Provide a safe space for someone who needs to access support for domestic abuse,
• Provide a safe space for someone to contact a support service to help them safely end an abusive or controlling relationship,
• Provide a safe space for someone who is experiencing domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse affects around 2 million people in the UK every year and is not limited to physical violence. It also includes emotional, psychological and verbal abuse, financial & economic abuse and things like stalking & harassment, sexual abuse, coercive and controlling behaviours, honour-based abuse or forced marriage and other harmful behaviours or practices.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, circumstances, background or culture. It also can happen between ex-partners or following separation or divorce etc. It usually happens in private or in the home but can happen anywhere and can also happen on-line, via social media etc.

We know that approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men (over the age of 16 years old) experience domestic abuse at some stage in their lives. Across Bedfordshire this means that there are more than 100,000 people affected by domestic abuse in their relationship.

With around 1 in 6 adults in the UK experiencing a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression and 1 in 5 adults considering taking their own life at some point; it is vital that we work together to let someone experiencing these feelings know that they are not alone and that there is help and support available. 

Find out more about the types of mental health.

If you think that you are able to provide a safe space to someone affected by domestic abuse then please get in contact with us by emailing your details to: BDAP@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

If you would like to find out more about domestic abuse and the support available, then please go to the Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership website.