The first forty years
2015 is our 40th anniversary and we have much to celebrate. SAFE has made a huge impact on the lives of 1000s of victims of domestic violence and abuse. SAFE established the Exeter Women’s Refuge and over the decades developed and delivered a range of vital services for victims of domestic violence
Forty years ago SAFE set out to help women and their children escape domestic violence by establishing a refuge in Exeter under the name Exeter Women’s Aid. Our services in those years were reliant on the efforts of volunteers and it was expected “that the women in the refuge should run the house as their own home.” Over time more reliable funding from local authorities allowed the service to grow, employing trained staff, moving to better accommodation, providing a 24/7 service and quality facilities for children in the refuge.
From 2002 statutory and voluntary agencies worked together across the county to tackle domestic violence and abuse. For the next decade this provided secure and generous funding to help victims. During this period new services were funded and developed and SAFE expanded providing specialist Outreach services in the communities of Exeter, East and Mid Devon. We also pioneered preventative work in schools and services were enhanced by the introduction of our Pattern Change courses. Soon after, specialist services and multi-agency responses for victims at high risk of murder or serious harm were introduced and from 2005 SAFE also appointed Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) providing pro-active support to these victims in the community and in the newly established Domestic Violence Court.
Later, in 2009 and in recognition of SAFE’s focus on the whole family and the need to also support male victims, we changed our name and re-branded ourselves Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE).
Our work continued in a background of increasing financial insecurity, and budget cuts to our traditional funders, local authorities, police and health services. Domestic violence services in Devon were put out to tender and SAFE responded as part of a consortium with sister providers in north and south Devon. We failed to gain the contract. At the end of March 2014 this resulted in the very distressing loss of the majority of our Outreach services; the loss of many staff, including the CEO, and after 40 years the closure of the Exeter refuge.
After some difficult months and with dedication and perseverance of volunteers and staff, SAFE has stabilised and progressed. We have attracted new trustees and have a strong Board, gained new funding, continuity funding from Children in Need and new grants from statutory groups - all enabling consolidation and growth in the services we offer. We have recruited staff, including the new post of Volunteer Coordinator and volunteers as well as an experienced and ambitious CEO.
