Our Domestic Abuse division in the South, DVIP Turns 30!
Looking back on our work over the past three decades.
The Domestic Violence Intervention Project (DVIP) is one of the longest running projects of its kind in the UK.
Founded in 1992 DVIP was one of the first organisations to run programmes for the perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse.
DVIP continued to innovate and respond to changing needs, whilst also sharing its knowledge and expertise far and wide. In 2000 the AL-Aman project was established serving specifically London’s Arabic speaking communities. In 2005 we started working with children affected by domestic violence and abuse, through our Children’s Therapy Team. In 2010 DVIP started the YUVA project, working with young people using violence and abuse within the family. Alongside it all, our specialist domestic abuse assessments of risk and vulnerability have been supporting local authorities in child protection processes and care proceedings through the work of the Family Courts team.
In 2018 DVIP became a division of Richmond Fellowship and with it, joined the Recovery Focus group. Stability and funding in our sector has always been tough, becoming part of a larger charity ensured our long-term sustainability. Just as importantly it meant that our services and staff could learn from each other and our partners in the Group, developing and improving the support we offer.
Looking ahead
The domestic abuse sector is facing a landmark moment, with the Domestic Abuse Act in 2021 really bringing this issue to the forefront of society. The need for specialist domestic abuse intervention continues to be as relevant now as it was 30 years ago. Our mission continues to be about increasing the safety of victims/survivors by providing innovative, holistic interventions and working towards the reduction and elimination of domestic abuse.
We will continue to strive for a world in which our services will no longer be needed. A world in which inequalities are acknowledged and addressed and where misogyny is no longer tolerated in any streets, workplaces or homes. A world in which there is no domestic abuse to address.
As DVIP turns 30 we invite everyone to celebrate 30 years of working for the safety of families in London victim to Domestic Abuse. We want the people that use our services, the volunteers that help us reach farther, the staff that daily commit to the work at hand, the partners fighting alongside us, the commissioners enabling us to do the work that we do and the sector we are proud members of, to join us in this anniversary.
Over the next few months, we’ll be hearing from staff over on our social media about their work, sharing the stories of people we support, fundraising for our services and much more. Make sure you’re following our DVIP Twitter to stay up to date.
Want to support our vital work? To celebrate 30 years, DVIP are going the distance! DVIP staff are moving 3000km, to raise £3000, to mark 30 years. Check out our fundraising page and support our work here: Richmond Fellowship: Distance for DVIP- Celebrating 30 years (enthuse.com)
