Natasha* was referred to us by her social worker. Her ex-partner had just been released from prison for violent offences, and had already made contact. Natasha had a two-year-old son, and was part of a child protection plan due the abuse from her ex. She was vulnerable and had become isolated. Due to the coercive control Natasha had been a victim of, she had become estranged from her family, and this was one of the first things she wanted to address – but they didn’t live nearby and Natasha...

Ashley* was referred to Staying Put though the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC). At just 23 years old, Ashley had been dominated by her husband throughout their relationship and things had started to become violent. Now pregnant with their second child, Ashley decided to leave following her husband’s threats against their 3-year-old daughter. When we first began working with Ashley, she was very quiet and we could hardly hear her on the phone. She said she wasn’t used to making...