Stop Domestic Abuse hosted its Annual General Meeting on 20th October at King’s Community Church in Chandler’s Ford. Chair of Trustees Gill Butler and CEO Claire Lambon presented an overview of the charity’s achievements to an audience of 160 people, including Mayor’s from various Boroughs of Hampshire as well as Councillors, Police, commissioners, local businesses, charity partners, staff, and volunteers. 

Claire Lambon CEO said, “I am proud of how much this amazing organisation has achieved during a year of organisational growth and intensive support for our clients. We respond with care, resilience and professionalism ensuring that all our clients have support to recover and heal. Our service users have faced significant challenges due to the cost of living crisis, which places further limits on a survivor’s access to advice and support. With vital support from funding partners, we have provided welfare support to families facing hardship and upgraded facilities in our refuges.” 

In 2022/23 across Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Stop Domestic Abuse supported 384 women and 422 children through safe accommodation in refuge; and 3361 adult victims and survivors and 1343 children and young people in the community. The Children and Young People Team delivered workshops in schools to 6943 children and young people, promoting healthy relationships with the aim of understanding and avoiding engagement in domestic abuse behaviour. The charity’s Helpline team responded to 36,509 calls for advice. The charity delivered training to over 1000 professionals who provide community support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse. 

Claire Lambon noted that in 2022 51% of all Stop Domestic Abuse’s community-based clients identified surveillance, harassment and stalking as factors in their abuse experience. To tackle this growing issue, the charity has been awarded the contract to deliver the new Stalking Advocacy & Support Service by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Hampshire & Isle of Wight. The charity’s team of specialist stalking advocacy workers are available to help anyone concerned about stalking or cyber safety.

Click Here to Download our 2023 Annual Report