Breaking the Silence operates in various parts of England and Wales (the exact structure sometimes varies by local authority) to tackle domestic abuse through community empowerment. Its name reflects a core philosophy: urging survivors and witnesses to speak out and access early interventions, including advice on family-law remedies.
The organisation often partners with churches, community centres, and local councils, ensuring marginalised groups – like BAME communities or non-English speakers – have approachable, culturally attuned avenues for help
Their workshops go beyond standard domestic-violence awareness, sometimes teaching financial literacy (to counter economic abuse) or digital safety tips to avoid cyberstalking. In family law contexts, Breaking the Silence staff and volunteers help survivors grasp how to get protective injunctions, whether they qualify for legal aid, and what children’s contact arrangements might look like post-separation.
Crucially, they maintain close ties with local solicitors or law clinics, ensuring survivors with limited finances aren’t forced to navigate the system solo. The charity also focuses on prevention, offering healthy-relationship education to young people – shaping future generations less tolerant of abuse.
Key Services
- Community Workshops: Education around domestic abuse, safety planning, and signposting to legal services.
- One-to-One Support: Survivors can meet an advocate to discuss protective measures, child contact, or separation strategies.
- Financial & Digital Safety: Guidance on dealing with financial control or harassment via technology.
- Youth Engagement: Instilling respect and mutual support in relationships from an early age.
Why It’s Valuable‘
Some survivors never step into a traditional refuge or mainstream family-law practice, feeling intimidated or culturally disconnected. By hosting sessions in neighbourhoods, Breaking the Silence meets people where they’re most comfortable, like a faith group or youth club. This inclusive approach means they often reach individuals who’d otherwise remain silent.
For those considering separation or divorcing an abusive partner, the charity’s local knowledge and networks are a godsend: bridging them to pro bono services, legal drop-in clinics, or in extreme cases, crisis accommodation. Essentially, Breaking the Silence ensures vital family-law information permeates deeper into communities, giving survivors a fighting chance at justice and healing.
Website: https://breakingthesilence.org.uk/ (Regional variants may apply)
Registered Charity Number: (Varies regionally; check local listings)