Working as a Community Safety Officer, where typically 70% of our case load is related to domestic abuse can be emotionally draining, but it is also a very rewarding role.
Tough cases
I remember one particular case really well. A lady had a very abusive ex-partner and although she was separated from him and had a restraining order, it did not stop him from making her life incredibly difficult. I worked to get her moved completely out of the area to start a new life away from her current home and closer to her family. But, just four weeks before her move, she was attacked by her ex-partner who left her unconscious.
When I went to visit her a few days after the incident, she was devastated and her confidence was completely knocked. It was so upsetting – we were so close to getting her moved and then this happened.
However, she was really strong and we got through it. In the run up to the move I visited regularly, helping her with everything that needed to be organised before she left.
Once she moved she became a new person and has started a new life.
The ex-partner has now been arrested and sentenced and the restraining order is still in place.
Outcomes like this are the reason I work as a Community Safety Officer – it’s the best feeling to know I have helped make a difference to someone’s life.
Challenging work
There are some frustrating challenges when working on domestic abuse cases. Because of tenancy restrictions, when a victim lives in a home and is a joint tenant with the perpetrator, it’s really difficult to implement safety measures such as lock changes and management moves due to the legal rights of both tenants. This does, at times cause difficulties as it will often have to be the victim who has to flee the property and go to alternative accommodation or a refuge.
I think one of the hardest things about my job is when I am working with a victim and they then go back to the perpetrator. This isn’t something we can control – we can only offer advice and be there for them when they need us. It’s hard to see someone return and inevitably, see the cycle of domestic abuse happen again.
It’s important in these situations to understand the challenges a victim is going through at these times. It’s an extremely complex issue and many victims feel like they don’t have a choice but to go back, whether that might be due to finances, children, disability or even love.
Incredibly rewarding
Despite the emotional challenges the role brings, it’s incredibly rewarding work. I genuinely feel like our team makes a difference – we can help break the cycle of abuse, make victims safe and help them start new lives. It’s amazing to know that I can help someone who perhaps didn’t even know that any help was out there, or when I check back in on a victim after moving them to a safe place and see how they’ve changed.
Being able to work with other agencies is another really great part of the job. Without being able to build these relationships, I wouldn’t feel as confident as I am to carry out my job. When working together, we can turn to each other for answers to questions, advice and support which in turn, means I know we are giving victims the best possible support.
The Community Safety team provide a specialist service to victims, and we have the training and knowledge to do the best possible work we can to help them people feel safer. I take pride in how, by working with partner agencies, we are able to build a strong network of support around a victim.
Simona De Sio
Community Safety Officer