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Getting Help

You are not alone. Lotus is here support you. See our current services list below.  Let's start the journey towards healing together by discussing how we can provide the support you need.

We're here to listen and help. Your experiences are valid, and your feelings matter. Your safety and privacy are our top priorities. Take the first step towards reclaiming your life and let's work together to empower you and create a safer, brighter future.

You can connect with us by submitting an on-line referral form, leaving a phone message or email. Choose the option that feels most comfortable for you, and let's start the conversation. Survivor strength is real, and we believe in yours.

Reach out to us, and let's channel that strength together to navigate through the challenges you're facing.

 

Our Services

Domestic Abuse Recovery Programme:

Empowering Women to Rebuild after Domestic Abuse:

A transformative 6-week group, with one-to-one IDVA support, designed for women (born female at birth, aged16+)  who have been subjected to domestic abuse and have now left their perpetrator. This service will help you reclaim your confidence, process trauma, and equip you with the tools to keep both you and any children you have, safe from future harm.

SafeLives Leading Lights Quality Standard accredited - the gold standard for domestic abuse services.

Child / Adolescent to Parent Violence / Abuse Programme

Restoring Parental Assertiveness and Strengthening Family Bonds:

8-week  group with one-to-one tailored IDVA support for any parent/carer dealing with violence or abuse from children aged 8-17. The service will help you feel less isolated, rebuild relationships, and establish clear boundaries with safe, meaningful consequences.

Recognising the need for a more relevant and impactful approach, we created a new programme to replace the now outdated "Who's in Charge?" group content. Acting on feedback from previous parent/carers, it is tailored to address the challenges local families currently face.

The new programme, launched in April 2024, is aligned with SafeLives Leading Lights Quality Standards - the gold standard for domestic abuse services.

TNBI (Trans, Non-binary and Intersex) IDVA Service for victim/survivors recovering from domestic abuse

Specialised Support for a Vulnerable Minority Group:

Tailored one-to-one assistance for TNBI survivors and their children, ensuring access to critical support including personalised safety & support plans.

This service can provide you with the targeted care you need to feel secure and supported as you rebuild your life.

“Lotus Blossom“ Peer Support group:

Empowering Women Survivors to Lead:

Domestic abuse survivors are trained as facilitators, using their lived experience to guide others through the recovery process.

By supporting fellow survivors, you not only accelerate your own healing but also play a key role in empowering others to rebuild their lives.

Opportunities for experienced peer group facilitators to apply to become a Lotus Families Trainee IDVA.

Managing Money Safely in Relationships

A three hour on-line session for women. Join our empowering workshop designed for women, where you'll learn practical tips to manage your money confidently and securely in relationships. Take control of your financial future, gain valuable insights, and protect your financial well-being in a supportive and informative environment.

Relationship Goals

A one-hour session on healthy relationships for young people aged 13-16, available for delivery in secondary school assemblies or PSHE classes free of charge.

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Testimonials

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I’ve never felt more empowered in my life than I do now. This course has helped me 1000%

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If it wasn’t for this course I wouldn’t have picked up on the red flags at all, I’d be right back where I was.

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My daughter said the change in me has been unbelievable in these last 4 weeks, since I've been doing this group.

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It sounds shallow, but I feel like I can get my hair done now. I have highlights done and put nice oil on my hair and I know I don’t need to ask for permission.

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I feel like I can recognise the warning signs.

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I’m not feeling so guilty about having some me time. I’ve put the house rules and chores back in place. We are talking instead of bottling things up. It’s positive being a calmer household and having everyone respect each other.

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I am being more open and communicating better with the children and building relationships.

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J has improved how he speaks to me. He’s now having good days at school – he was a year behind. Massive improvement.

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When I am less reactive the children are calmer.

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The house rules have really made a difference. We’ve made progress in communicating better and being less reactive.

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They listen to me more and I can deal with them in calm way or be more assertive depending on the situation.

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I know how to deal with them better. I feel the children want to spend time with me now I’m less stressed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Each service has it's own eligibility criteria. 

Our women's recovery groups are eligible to women who are not living with their perpetrator.  All recovery groups are delivered in line with our Single Sex Policy.  

Our child to parent violence groups are eligible to parents or carers of abusive/violent children aged 8-17.

 

 

 

 

Anyone can submit a Referral whether it is on behalf of themselves or others.

If an agency would like to make a referral, they must first gain consent to share the personal information requested on the form. 

For more information email [email protected]

We aim to respond to you within five working days.

Please click here to fill in a referral form.

Referrers are asked to complete a referral form, first ensuring they have consent to share personal information.

Anyone who would like to self-refer can either

  1. complete the referral form
  2. 2. email [email protected] if you require any additional support with completing the referral form.  We recognise that completing forms can be tricky if you can only access them via phone.  

We aim to respond to you within five working days.

Lotus Families provides a valuable service as part of the coordinated response to domestic abuse in East Sussex, and we are committed to working with other agencies to promote, support and improve the response locally to victims of domestic abuse.

If you have self-referred and you do not meet our eligibility criteria we will signpost you to a trusted service that can support you.  

Any ineligible professional referrals will be returned with a recommendation of where they should be signposted/referred, based on the little knowledge we may have of the victim-survivor.

Where it is identified that a client needs additional support that we are unable to provide, we will signpost to a specialist local service.

We aim to make first contact with you, within five days of receiving the referral, to acknowledge receipt, confirm eligibility and share an update on when you might expect to be offered a place on a programme.

You will then join the waiting list, during which time, we may not be able to offer you any safety advice or support until your group starts, although during 2024 we are transitioning to a triage approach. You can expect to hear from us we are able to allocate you to one of our programmes. You will receive an email inviting you to book an initial call in the month leading up to the programme to discuss your current situation and confirm whether the programme is still suitable for you. This call will include a risk assessment.

Before accessing any of our services, you will be asked to sign a privacy notice which covers our data protection and confidentiality policies.

If you are referred by a professional, we will update them on the progress of the referral.

Most of our services have a waiting list.  Particularly our recovery and child to parent violence groups.

You (and your referrer) will be notified of an estimated wait time once the referral has been accepted and you are on the waiting list.  We may not be able to offer you any safety advice or support until your group starts, although during 2024 we are transitioning to a triage approach.  We will contact you via email once a place becomes available.

At the moment, if you are on a waiting list we may not be able to offer you any safety advice or support until your group starts.  However, your safety & wellbeing are our top priority so during 2024 we are transitioning to a triage approach where we can discuss safety & support on referral.  

We take a proactive and comprehensive approach to managing risk, ensuring that you feel supported and empowered throughout your journey.

Here's how we do it:

We work closely with you to create a personalised Whole Family safety & support plan tailored to your unique situation. This plan includes practical steps to reduce risk and enhance the safety & wellbeing of all family members, giving you peace of mind.

Our experienced team conducts thorough risk assessments using proven tools and methods. This helps us understand your specific risks and needs, so we can provide targeted support and interventions.

We collaborate closely with other agencies and professionals, ensuring a coordinated response to your situation. This collaborative approach maximizes resources and support networks, giving you access to a wide range of assistance.

 Your safety is an ongoing priority for us. We regularly review and update your safety plan, taking into account any changes in your circumstances or risk factors. This ensures that you always have the support you need, when you need it.

Above all, we believe in empowering you to make informed decisions and take control of your life. Our advocacy and support services are designed to help you regain independence and rebuild your future with confidence.

At Lotus Families, you can trust that you're in safe hands. We're here to support you every step of the way, and together, we'll work towards a brighter, safer future.

Lotus families has been awarded the nationally recognised SafeLives Leading Lights quality standard.

The SafeLives Leading Lights Quality Standard is a prestigious accreditation that reflects our commitment to providing the highest quality support and services to survivors of domestic abuse. Receiving this accreditation means that we have met rigorous standards of excellence in our practices and procedures, ensuring that you receive the best possible care and support.

When you choose to access our services, you can feel reassured knowing that we have been recognized for our dedication to excellence in supporting survivors of domestic abuse. The Leading Lights Quality Standard demonstrates our commitment to your safety, well-being, and empowerment, and serves as a testament to the quality and effectiveness of our services.

By choosing an accredited provider like us, you can trust that you are accessing support from an organisation that prioritises your needs and operates to the highest standards of professionalism and care. 

 
 

Your confidentiality is of the utmost importance, and we take your privacy very seriously. Here's how we ensure that your information remains secure and your trust is upheld:

We have a strict confidentiality policy in place to protect your privacy. Your personal information and discussions with our team members are kept confidential, unless there are exceptional circumstances that require disclosure for your safety or the safety of others.

 Before sharing any information, we always seek your informed consent whenever possible. This means that you have control over what information is shared and with whom, empowering you to make decisions about your own safety and well-being.

We handle your information with the utmost sensitivity and discretion. Our team members are trained in confidentiality protocols and understand the importance of maintaining your trust and confidentiality.

While we prioritise your confidentiality, we also have legal and ethical obligations to safeguard individuals who may be at risk of harm. In situations where there are concerns about your safety or the safety of others, we may need to share information with relevant authorities or agencies. However, we always aim to do this in a way that minimises any risk to you and respects your rights and wishes.

We believe in transparent communication with our clients. If there is a need to share information, where possible, we will explain the reasons for this and keep you informed throughout the process. We value your input and will involve you in any decisions that affect you.

Our staff and volunteers are required to sign confidentiality agreements, further ensuring that your information remains secure and confidential.

You can trust us to handle your information with care and respect, while also taking the necessary steps to ensure your safety and well-being. If you have any questions or concerns about confidentiality, please don't hesitate to discuss them with us. Your trust and confidence in our services are essential to us, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

 

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