Behind Closed Doors

Who we are

Behind Closed Doors has been tackling domestic abuse for over 25 years. We are there at the point of crisis, working with individuals and families in communities and we stay on to support through recovery. We also deliver preventative activities in the form of training with frontline practitioners, in the workplace and in educational settings.

We have supported thousands of people whose lives have been affected by domestic abuse. Our work with male victim-survivors is recognised as the specialist service in Leeds, and has received Lime Culture accreditation.

We are a key partner in the local authority commissioned Leeds Domestic Violence Service. We deliver practical support to reduce risks and navigate complex housing, legal, statutory and healthcare systems to enable our service users to make the right choices for them and their children.

Behind Closed Doors is also lead partner in the Domestic Abuse Recovery Service (DARS), focusing both on practical assistance and longer-term emotional recovery; supporting service users to better understand the abuse they’ve experienced and protect themselves from future harm. DARS also has a specialist provision to offer more focused support to those with complex needs or additional vulnerabilities that may prevent them moving forwards.

In the past year, we have expanded our role within the LDVS Sanctuary Support project and our commitment to supporting everyone affected by domestic abuse, by taking on an LGBTQ+ Specialist Support Worker. We are also a key partner in the new West Yorkshire Pathfinder Partnership, providing specialist IDVA support in Family Court proceedings.

Our culture and values

Hopeful: We see the possibility in the lives of everyone we support and in the lives of those they love

Courageous: We dare to act because sometimes it takes our courage to help others find theirs

Informed: We understand there are challenges and risks and we’ll work them out together

Collaborative: We work as one with our service-users and with everyone who can help us deliver the best outcomes

Persistent: We are always there for our service-users and we are ever present in the fight against domestic abuse

Inquisitive: We believe our service-users, we take a holistic approach focusing on every person as a whole and taking into consideration external factors