Safety Unit

What is the Safety Unit?
In Birmingham, women who are unsafe due to abuse can get support from a worker from the Safety Unit. It may be that you feel you need to leave your home, or you want it to be made safe so you can stay. You may also feel unsafe because your abusive partner is having to go to court on a criminal charge related to abusing you.

The Safety Unit has five projects (click on the project name for more information):

  • Outreach: workers meet with women in community venues to discuss support in terms of housing, money, health services and community support.
  • Courts Project: works alongside women who are victims of abusive crimes, whose perpetrators are being prosecuted in the criminal courts.
  • Civil Orders Project: helps women to apply for injunctions – such as non-molestation orders – to keep them safe.
  • Community Resettlement: workers meet with women who are living in temporary accommodation (e.g. hostels, ‘B&Bs’) to support them to move on and secure tenancies.
  • MARAC Project: workers attend MARACs (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences) which are meetings to discuss how to support women who are at ‘high risk’ of repeated domestic violence.

What can the Safety Unit do for me?
When you call the Safety Unit, you will first speak to a Duty Worker – you can tell her your circumstances and she will see if this service is suitable for you. She will make arrangements so that you can have an appointment with the Worker who will support you.

Appointments are usually made at a community venue near you or Birmingham city centre. They are held in places like libraries, health centres, etc. We can also see women on our own premises.

Your Worker will help develop a support plan with you which suits your needs.

Includes information and support with:

  • access to emergency temporary accommodation, via the Single Access Point (Birmingham RefugeLine)
  • initiating applications for housing/ transfers
  • application for Sanctuary Scheme measures and/ or civil injunctions
  • Understanding the legal/ court processes – criminal and civil courts.
  • Applying for non-molestation orders (inc. DIY), occupation orders,  anti-social behaviour injunctions against abusers.
  • The roles of different agencies within the courts such as the police, Crown Prosecution Service, magistrates, judges and any other court officials.
  • Protection available to witnesses. Access to special measures, separate entrance and waiting areas.
  • Attending court, and keeping you up-to-date with the progress of the case.
  • Safety planning.
  • Other social welfare issues, e.g. housing, benefits, sanctuary, health, etc.

How do I access the Safety Unit?
The number to ring is 0121 685 8687 – the automated message will ask you to press ‘1’ for the Outreach team. You can also dial 227 or 341 when you hear the message, which will take you to the Duty Worker for that day.