Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS)
Helpdesk: 01452 726 570
Email: support@gdass.org.uk
Website: GDASS Website
Facebook: GDASS Facebook
Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) provides support to all victims aged 16 and older across the county, regardless of ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, or their current relationship status with their abuser(s). They will assess a victim/survivor’s risk (in conjunction with other agencies as needed) to inform the provision of a variety of services including:
Helpdesk
- First point of contact, providing general advice and facilitating access into their service.
- Helpdesk: 01452 726 570
- For victims, and their family and friends who might be concerned or worried.
- Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (excluding bank/public holidays).
- GDASS also provides a Professionals line (01452 726 561) to provide advice/guidance to professionals who are working with anyone experiencing domestic abuse.
Floating support
- For victims/survivors who are assessed as being at a standard/medium risk of harm from domestic abuse
- Packages of support tailored around the victim/survivor
- Can be done face-to-face, over the phone or by email (or a mix)
- Create a support plan with a support worker who can provide: safety planning, increasing awareness of domestic abuse, confidence building, advocacy between you and agencies, finances, housing, signposting.
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA)
- Specialist support for victims/survivors who are assessed as being at a high risk of harm from domestic abuse.
- Specialise in assessing and reducing risk of harm.
- Work closely with partner agencies on your behalf to create safety plans.
- Integral to the Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) process.
- Support for victims involved in the criminal justice system, the health system and court proceedings.
Group work programmes
- Delivered across the county based on the needs and requirements of victims/survivors.
- May be delivered with partner agencies.
- Promote independence, recovery and helps victims/survivors to move on from domestic abuse.
- May include activities to help reduce isolation and build resilience.
Support for victims involved in criminal, family or civil court proceedings
- Referrals to:
- Refuge accommodation
- Places of Safety - self-contained units of safe accommodation in a safe accommodation scheme
- Gloucestershire Sanctuary Scheme - a victim centred initiative which aims to make it possible for victims of domestic abuse to remain in their own homes, where it is safe for them to do so and their choice, and reduce repeat victimisation through the provision of enhanced security measures (target hardening), Sanctuary Scheme measures and support.
- And support in safe accommodation for victims/survivors in Places of Safety and target hardened properties.
