Domestic Abuse Commissioner praises Suffolk’s Champions

The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs met today with Suffolk’s Domestic Abuse Champions Network.
Published: 04 Jul 2023

The Domestic Abuse Commissioner is an independent voice that speaks on behalf of victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

Alongside Councillor Bobby Bennett, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities, DA Commissioner Nicole Jacobs, met with Domestic Abuse Champions and representatives from Suffolk’s commissioned Domestic Abuse Services. They presented certificates to Champions, who have gone above and beyond in their role by providing support or raising the profile of Domestic Abuse.

The Suffolk Domestic Abuse Champions Network aims to raise awareness about coercive control and increase confidence across the Suffolk community in order to provide consistent information, advice and support to victim-survivors of domestic abuse.

The Champions are provided with free training to have the skills to spread awareness to other colleagues and act as the ‘Go to Person’ for Information between their own agency and local support services. The Network was launched in April 2019, and since then, the content of the training has evolved, and the delivery has developed to incorporate an online offer as well as face to face.

Over 1,300 Champions have now taken the free training, including representatives from across the county and from a broad range of organisations including health, education, housing, recovery services, mental health support, adult and children’s social care, police and more individuals, voluntary and community organisations.

Suffolk's Domestic Abuse Champions
Suffolk's Domestic Abuse Champions
The work of my office is rooted in the reality of local responses to domestic abuse that enhance our understanding and shape our priorities. My vision is a world where every part of society recognises and understands domestic abuse and plays a role in addressing it, so to see the Suffolk Domestic Abuse champions Network begin to bring that vision into reality for their local community is a real pleasure.
Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales
Cllr Bobby Bennett and Nicole Jacobs, The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales
Cllr Bobby Bennett and Nicole Jacobs, The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales
I’m proud to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Suffolk’s Domestic Abuse Champions today, alongside Nicole Jacobs, The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales. “Our brilliant Domestic Abuse Champions are helping to bring lasting positive changes for victims across Suffolk, through the advice and support they provide. Reaching victims as early as possible is vital to prevent further harm, and the network, now 1,300 strong, is helping more and more people in Suffolk feel confident to offer advice and support to their colleagues, friends or family members.
Cllr Bobby Bennett, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities
Cllr Bobby Bennett, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities

Gary Pinyoun, Domestic Abuse Link worker at Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, and Suffolk Domestic Abuse Champion, has worked to raise the profile of Domestic Abuse and the support available within his organisation, encouraging senior leadership to complete the free training. He said: “I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to meet with the DA Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, and share with her the positive work taking place in Babergh and Mid Suffolk to support survivors of domestic abuse.

“Raising the profile of DA Champion training has been a passion of mine since starting as the Domestic Abuse Link Worker for Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils in March last year. It’s been great to work alongside the Community Safety team to promote the DA Champion Training with many new staff undertaking the workshop since I joined, including our very own CEO Arthur Charvonia.

“The free DA Champion Training gives attendees a greater awareness and all-round knowledge of domestic abuse, which ultimately enables them to provide a greater service to the customers of Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils.”

Cllr Bobby Bennett and Nicole Jacobs presenting a certificate to Gary Pinyoun
Cllr Bobby Bennett and Nicole Jacobs present a certificate to Gary Pinyoun, Domestic Abuse Link worker at Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, and Suffolk Domestic Abuse Champion.

The Domestic Abuse Champions training offer is open to anyone living or working in Suffolk. The trainers welcome individuals or local businesses to come forward and take advantage of the free training and help keep Suffolk safe. To book the free training, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/suffolk-domestic-abuse-champions-network-369439.

Suffolk’s Champion Co-ordinators are also available to attend team meetings or deliver free bespoke sessions tailored to your organisation. Please contact dachampions@suffolk.gov.uk to find out more.

To find out more about Suffolk’s Domestic Abuse Champions, and listen to the latest in a series of podcasts, featuring interviews with specialist support services and survivors of domestic abuse, visit: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/community-and-safety/communities/community-safety/domestic-abuse-and-sexual-violence