A safe, just and equal world for women

Advance’s new East Sussex service aims to be a ‘one-stop shop’ for emotional and practical help with everything from housing and employment to finances and mental health, including referral to other specialist services where appropriate. Support will be provided face to face, over the phone, and via video calls.

Amy Glover, Director of Domestic Abuse Services at Advance, said:

“We are so pleased to have taken over the role of delivering such a critical service for anyone experiencing domestic abuse in East Sussex, expanding our expert support into yet another county. Alongside dedicated hubs, our staff will be working closely with other organisations, including housing, the police and healthcare. It’s estimated that nearly half a million survivors of domestic abuse seek help from medical professionals every year demonstrating the need for this crucial work.”

Advance will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the service, being an organisation with almost 30 years’ experience of supporting survivors of domestic abuse, across London and the South and East of England.

Mark Stainton, Director of Adult Social Care and Health at East Sussex County Council, said:

“Domestic abuse affects thousands of people in East Sussex and providing the best possible support for those affected is a top priority for the council. We are delighted to be working with Advance to ensure those people in East Sussex whose lives are affected will have easy access to support and advice that will help them find safety and recover from the abuse they have experienced.”

Support for survivors of domestic abuse living in the county have previously been supported by Change Grow Live, a national health and social care charity.

This year’s Sunshine on Sea festival in Hastings will be fundraising for Advance.

Chris McKenna, founder of Sunshine on Sea Festival, said:

“This year Sunshine on Sea celebrates phenomenal women. It therefore seemed appropriate to use it to fundraise for Advance which helps many women who show great courage in dealing with the multiple impacts of domestic violence.”

About Advance

Advance is an innovative national charity, founded in 1998 to support women and girls to lead safe and equal lives.

We support women and girls affected by trauma as a result of their experiences of domestic abuse and involvement with the criminal justice system. Many of the people we support experience multiple, intersecting challenges, such as concerns around personal safety, unstable housing, and mental ill health. We offer practical and emotional support whenever and wherever it is required. Advance works with a wide network of partners across London and six other regions to deliver coordinated, effective support and values collaboration with local services.

Whilst the majority of our work is focussed on women and girls, we recognise that people of all genders can experience abuse. We have a number of domestic abuse services that work with all genders, including in East Sussex.

Media enquiries

For more information, please contact Tracie Couper, Press Officer at Advance, at tracie.c@advancecharity.org.uk or on 0743 2700 287.