Devon Domestic Violence Service is a Leading Light
Splitz Devon Domestic Abuse Support Service (DDASS) has gained recognition for the quality of its management and service delivery to victims of domestic abuse, after being awarded a nationally recognised accreditation.
Leading Lights is awarded by SafeLives, and is the industry’s accreditation, awarded to domestic abuse services that meet the highest quality standards. Currently there are 49 services nationally that have achieved Leading Lights accreditation. The Leading Lights status is increasingly being recognised by commissioners and funders across the UK.
Chrissy Stower, Service Manager for Devon Domestic Abuse Support Service, said: “We are delighted to have gained recognition for the high quality service that we provide to victims of domestic abuse and their families. This is not a gift. All of the Splitz Devon team have worked very hard to achieve this. We are a tight knit team with a passion for keeping victims safe and improving life for them and their families. I am very proud of the team and feel honoured to be their manager.”
Splitz has been providing support to families since 1989 and has managed the county’s service, DDASS, since 2014. Commissioned by Devon County Council, Splitz supports victims and children of domestic violence and abuse, as well as working with perpetrators of abuse, providing holistic and person-centred services that best meet the needs of families and the communities in which they live.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member with responsibility for improving health and wellbeing, said: “This is a tremendous achievement for Devon’s Domestic Abuse Support Services, which recognises the great strides they have taken in the county towards protecting individuals and families from this often hidden crime.
“There is a strong and committed partnership across Devon, whose goal to eradicate domestic violence and abuse can only be achieved through collaboration, courage and commitment, and this award is a very positive step towards it.”
Since April this year 2047 high and medium risk victims have been referred to the Devon service, along with 524 children and young people.
Fran Lewis, Splitz Executive Director, said: “The Splitz management team and trustees are committed to our work with victims and their families and this accreditation will give those that we work with the confidence that the service they receive will be the best it can be.
"It was a great deal of focussed, hard work by everyone, and the passion, commitment and dedication of the wonderful Devon team that ensured that this achievement was possible."
Kathryn Hinchliff, Leading Lights Programme Lead SafeLives, said: “SafeLives are pleased to award Splitz Devon the Leading Lights accreditation. The whole team have worked extremely hard to achieve this high standard of service delivery."
