The Domestic Abuse Lived Experience Police training has been off to a great start this year. As a charity, we actively encourage client involvement within our programmes and services. This training simply could not take place without our amazing clients as the sharing of their stories and experiences of domestic abuse and police involvement give an insight to officers of what it is like for victims.
A powerful message
Two of our clients have told us more about what being on the training means to them.
I’m Jo and over the last 18 months I have been a client at Future Living attending one to one counselling and the Monica Programme.
Last month I started sharing my experience of DA and how the police reacted to my calls for help, at the training of Hertfordshire front line police officers.
“ Because I had felt I had no voice or influence in my contact with most police officers It was important to me to use my experiences to be heard and to speak for the many stories I witnessed at Future Living.”
Whilst it has been difficult to share my story the reaction of most attendees about the poor response and support, I got has been validating. I also get to hear from the police officer’s viewpoint how a lack of resources and limitations in the law frustrate them.
I’m thankful to Future Living and Hertfordshire Police for the opportunity to share what would have made a difference to me and I am hopeful that things will change.
My Voice is being heard
Another of our clients, Sam, who attended The Wise Guys programme answered some questions to tell us about how he has found being part of the training so far.
- What does it mean to you to be involved in the Police training?
Being involved I feel like my voice is being heard and I hope that by sharing my story I can help make a difference and it can help someone else come forward and ask for help.
- How has Future Living Hertford helped you?
Future living helped me feel like I was not alone. The zoom calls made me feel part of a community and listening to other people’s stories helped me realise just how many people go through domestic abuse. We all supported and helped each other through the sessions and it helped me to learn about healthy relationships and boundaries.
Future living referred me for counselling which was also a great opportunity to open up and was a huge help for me.
“ I feel that with the support I have received from future living, I have much more confidence, I am much more motivated and can see that what I was going through was not good.”
- How have you found the response from the officers on the training so far when you have shared your story?
The police officers have all asked questions to gain an understanding of my story and listened to what would have helped me at the time. It was also interesting to hear their perspectives and how they have to make the right decisions to help people. All of the officers have been very positive and it’s been a joy to hear their questions.
The feedback we have received so far reflects the fact that the training is both impactful and informative. The training also gives the officers the opportunity to ask questions and collaboratively share their own views and experiences, which adds further insight on the day. So far this year, we have trained over 300 officers. With more sessions planned up to the end of the year, this number will continue to rise, ensuring more officers are equipped with the knowledge to enable them to support victims.
