A BOROUGH charity that supports survivors of domestic abuse, has received £6,905 from Thames Valley Police (TVP).
The money comes from the force’s Community Fund, a pot of more than £1.2 million taken from criminals.
Police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley Matthew Barber met with Kaleidoscopic Uk founder Vickie Robertson, patrons Danielle Baron and Anouska Lancaster, and survivors of domestic abuse.
He presented a cheque and chatted with the group to discover out more about Kaleidoscopic’s TVP funded Liberation programme, which is for adults subjected to abuse.
Women survivors shared with Mr Barber why they had found it valuable.
“Meeting face to face can be very good, but it can also make victims vulnerable,” said one, “Women can be physically followed, so having an online group is actually very important.”
“The first meeting is the toughest, but then there’s a lightbulb moment when you realise you’ve gained a family,” said another.
“This group has saved me,” said a third, “I don’t know whether I’d be here without it.
“The Liberation programme, and the Fun With Mum group gave me some much needed peace.”
Fun With Mum is another of Kaleidoscopic Uk’s projects, where youngsters who have experienced domestic violence can meet with others who share and understand their experiences.
Ms Robertson said:“I’d like to say a huge thank you to TVP for all they do to combat domestic abuse, and for their ongoing support which makes a huge difference to our Liberation project.
“They enable us to deliver it all year round, supporting 10 or more women at a time, and giving them the tools to break the cycle of violence.
“It’s so important because even when you are out of a relationship, post separation abuse can escalate.
“We want to empower women, give them knowledge, and liberate them.
“It’s our most referred into programme, and it really needs to keep going.”
Educator, coach,and children’s therapist Danielle Baron became a patron after attending a conference Kaleidoscopic held last year.
“I fell in love with everything they’re doing,” she said.
“Children are impacted so much by domestic violence, and it can feed into other forms of abuse.
“Kaleidoscopic is doing great work to tackle this issue, and that’s why I’m here.”
The charity’s most recent patron is interior designer, entrepreneur and TV personality Anouska Lancaster.
She said: “I’m a victim of domestic violence myself, and suffered post separation trauma, with abuse continuing for eight years.
“Post separation trauma isn’t talked about, but I saw a video that Vickie made about it, and it really spoke to me.
“Now I’ve rebuilt my life, and I’m in a really good place.
“I want to share that with victims currently going through it, to give them light and a hope that there really is life after domestic abuse.
“I’m also passionate about the charity’s Educate to Eradicate scheme, working with children in schools.”
“I want to support Vickie in rolling this out because I firmly believe that prevention is the best way to put a stop to domestic violence.”
Mr Barber said: “We’ve worked with Kaleidoscopic for a while, and they do fantastic work to support victims, both women and children, who’ve been victims of domestic abuse.
“This crime is probably the biggest police workload on a daily basis.
“It’s often unseen by most people, but it’s a hugely traumatic crime.
“By working with people, particularly children, hopefully we can achieve a generational shift, to reduce domestic support in the future, as well as supporting victims now.”
For more information, visit: www.kaleidoscopic.uk and www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk
