A review of the nation’s first multi-agency hub that offers whole-family support to victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse and stalking has been hailed for its effective, impactful approach to ending abusive behaviours. 

 

An 18-month review of data from the Surrey Steps to Change Hub show it is increasing survivor safety and reducing harm from perpetrators of domestic abuse and stalking. 

 

The hub, led by Interventions Alliance, brings together independent and expert services from the Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership and Waythrough Surrey’s Youth Using Violence & Abuse team and the police, to provide a trauma-informed and multi-agency approach to end abusive behaviours. 

 

The most unique aspect of the Hub is that it offers more than any individual domestic abuse or perpetrator service could do alone.  

 

The Hub takes referrals from doctors, social services and the police; carries out frequent and integrated case reviews, real-time information sharing and works collaboratively to scrutinise referrals to better identify risk, prevent escalation, and provides tailored support to all those affected by domestic abuse adult or child, victim or perpetrator.  

 

The Hub offers opportunities for out of court resolutions, with potential for police to refer individuals to the Hub’s perpetrator services, meaning swifter access to interventions without the need to place further demand on the Criminal Justice System. 

 

To make a referral to the Hub, visit the dedicated website.

 

The evaluation can be accessed here and the supporting research document is available here. Please contact us for more information about the Hub or the evaluation published today.

 

Steps to Change in Action 

 

Interventions Alliance Vic Curtis – Regional Service Manager  

 

“Instead of just helping an individual to process the trauma of being a victim of domestic abuse or stalking, or just working with a child who uses violence and abuse in the home (or the parent of that child), or just working with an adult to address their domestic abuse or stalking behaviour, the hub provides support to every member of a family, ensuring no-one falls through the gaps of services. 

 

“It enables individuals and families to be connected to the right services for them, especially in cases where someone, often a woman, is using retaliatory violence, and where, rather than a perpetrator intervention, domestic abuse services are needed.” 

 

 

What the evaluation shows

 

The review found that the Hub is:

 

• Identifying victims earlier and more accurately – including cases of retaliatory violence where women are mislabelled as perpetrators. Within the Hub, 41% of women initially referred as perpetrators were correctly reallocated to victim services after multi-agency review.

 

• Reducing harm and strengthening protection for children and adults – with practitioners able to access operational intelligence, background checks and a fuller picture of risk.

 

• Closing gaps between services – ensuring whole-family needs are addressed so that no one falls through the cracks.

 

• Delivering promising outcomes – of 32 people who engaged in a behaviour change intervention and for whom we have complete police data, 27 had no relevant police contact in the six months after.

 

Interventions Alliance CEO Suki  Binning 

 

“We’re incredibly proud of the Steps to Change hub in Surrey. Nationally it’s a leading model, showing what’s possible when we develop approaches to tackling violence against women and children rooted in evidence and forward-thinking practice. This work gives real hope, and every day our colleagues prove that harm can be prevented. To build on this success, we need long-term funding and the flexibility for Police and Crime Commissioners to adopt this model where it’s right for their communities.” 

 

Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, who secured £2 million Home Office funding to establish Steps to Change, said the Hub had changed the lives of families in Surrey.

 

Lisa Townsend , Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner

 

“The Steps to Change Hub closes the gaps between services to make sure that no one in need of support falls through the cracks. It also helps families, providing care to those who have been victims of abuse at home. We believe in a world where domestic abuse is preventable through the work of services like Steps to Change.”  

 

 

Interventions Alliance Vic Curtis – Regional Service Manager

 

“The Hub facilitates high-level information sharing, enhancing victim protection and providing multi-agency insights into issues that may not be identifiable by a single organisation. The involvement of police enables background checks and the incorporation of operational intelligence, ensuring the safety of victims and any children present. Practitioners working with perpetrators benefit from access to additional risk data and can better assess for potential impression management from perpetrators.  

 

“Through this initiative, we are seeing previously unidentified victims and perpetrators being brought into the light, thanks to enhanced communication and joined-up practice.” 

 

Shereen from the Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership said: 

 

“I am very privileged to be a part of the Surrey Hub because it allows me to offer two essential lenses: supporting victims of abuse, while also providing bespoke, trauma-Informed interventions to individuals who are coming to the attention of police due to their own resistance to abuse. These are often victims themselves responding to ongoing harm in ways that are misunderstood or mislabelled. 

 

“The Hub’s structure enables us to recognise and respond to these complexities with compassion and precision. As far as I’m aware, this is a truly unique piece of work, with few -if any – other agencies nationally addressing retaliatory violence in this way. It’s a privilege to contribute to an approach that challenges traditional narratives and ensures every individual is seen in the full context of their experience.”

 

Stories of Hope 

 

The review provides insight and stories that the Steps to Change Hub provided invaluable support to participants, specifically improving their physical and psychological safety and their overall wellbeing. In all three cases, the women explained how, without the tailored support of the Hub services, things might not have changed and improved for them, and moreover, might even have got worse. 

• Claire was initially referred to the Hub for a perpetrator intervention, however following a thorough assessment instead needed the support of Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership. Claire said without the insight and support of the hub her needs and identity as a victim/survivor would have been unmet. 

• Jas was also initially referred for a perpetrator intervention and soon assessed as needing the support of Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership. As Jas had previous involvement in the justice sector as a young adult, she had never had support as a vulnerable young woman carrying significant trauma from past relationships and in need of domestic abuse support. 

• Jodi, initially did not know which way to turn for the highly complex support she needed for her whole family. She was a mum seeking help and support for a child using violence and abuse in the home, support for a younger sibling impacted by the violence, and support for herself. Jodi’s account also documents her ex-husband’s pathway to working with the Hub’s perpetrator services.  

For more information about the Surrey Steps to Change Hub, please contact us.