Working in partnership with three independent charities; The Sanctuary, Chapter 1 Housing and South East Domestic Abuse, and with Surrey Police, together we provide a vital lifeline for Surrey residents affected by domestic abuse.

The North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (NSDAS) run by Citizens Advice Elmbridge (West) supports victims affected by violence, abuse or threatening behaviour from a partner or family member.

Each year the service receives over 3,000 referrals or visits from Surrey residents who need practical help and emotional support to see them through their difficult circumstances.

Empowering victims

NSDAS aims to empower Surrey residents affected by domestic abuse by giving them skilled practical help, ongoing emotional support and advice on issues such as risk and safety planning, housing rights, relationships and separation, managing debt, issues affecting children, the legal system and welfare benefits. As well as one to one support, NSDAS offers a wide range of services:-

• Freedom Programme – an 11 week course providing the opportunity to talk with others who share similar experiences
• Self Esteem Group – designed to help women restore / maintain confidence and wellbeing
• Sanctuary Scheme – enables clients and their children to remain safely in their own homes, thereby not disrupting family life
• Specialist Domestic Violence Court –the service supports victims in court by giving advice about the court process and enhancing victims’ access to appropriate bail conditions, restraining orders and special measures
• Representation at MARACs (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) – professionals only meetings to form an appropriate safety plan to protect clients and their children from further harm
• Pro Bono Legal Advice

NSDAS is run by a small team of trained independent domestic abuse advisers.

Domestic violence is a hidden horror across the UK. More than 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16 and on average 2 women per week are killed in England and Wales.

Contact us

For more information about how our citizens advice domestic violence service could help people in your area, visit their website for further details.