Finding freedom from abuse

Who we are

Our charity was originally established in 1975 as the Andover Crisis and Support Centre by two local magistrates who created a community resource for local people in crisis or needing support. In 1989, the charity expanded to provide accommodation for women and women with children who had been subjected to domestic abuse. And over the next few years, we increased our refuge accommodation for families, alongside the expansion of our Outreach, Educational and Therapeutic Programmes, and Counselling services. In 2022, we rebranded to reflect the charity’s growth, and we offer a broader range of support services to people in the Test Valley area who experience, witness, or fear domestic and sexual violence or abuse. 

Our Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advisors (IDVA and ISVA) are specialist support workers who work with people who have experienced abuse, violence, rape and sexual assault, irrespective of whether they have reported to the police. We provide physical and emotional safety and help survivors to make informed choices about their future and build honest and open relationships in a safe space, to all, regardless of differences and choices. 

Our culture and values

Safety

We provide physical and emotional safety

Choice

We respect all differences and choices, and support survivors to make informed decisions

Trust

We build homes and open relationships in a safe place

Collaboration

We work together with our survivors and partner organisations, allowing us to achieve far more than we could alone

Empowerment

We enable survivors to have control over their own lives

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We particularly welcome applicants from BAMER communities who are currently under-represented in our organisation.