Stop Domestic Abuse

What Stop Domestic Abuse does

Stop Domestic Abuse, legally constituted as Southern Domestic Abuse Service, is a registered charity and private limited company (Company Number 07975563, Charity Number 1146773) founded in 1977 in Havant, Hampshire, originally as Havant Women's Aid. It operates as the principal provider of domestic abuse services across Hampshire, Portsmouth, and Southampton, employing 87 staff and reporting annual income exceeding £10 million. Its service portfolio spans a 24/7 advice line, real-time live chat, 18 refuges with 120 family bedspaces plus dispersed accommodation units, community-based one-to-one support, group work programmes (Own My Life, Freedom Programme, Rockpool Recovery Toolkit, Power of Change, Phoenix), specialist advocacy for stalking and LGBTQ+ survivors, dedicated male victim support, behaviour change programmes for perpetrators (Stop. Think. Change., Up2U), and multi-tier training for community members, professionals, and organisations.

The organisation's technology footprint is modest and operational rather than product-led: a WordPress-based website with LiveChat for discreet support delivery and Stripe for donation processing, supported by Google Analytics and YouTube embeds for content distribution. The substantive "platform" is the integrated network of refuges, health-embedded advocates in three NHS hospitals, housing advocates co-located in local authority housing teams, and the 24/7 helpline infrastructure, which together handle 45,000+ calls and nearly 14,000 referrals annually.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through statutory commissioning by Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire & Isle of Wight, supplemented by grants (notably £785,821 from the National Lottery Community Fund in July 2024), donations, and fundraising events. All services to beneficiaries are free and confidential. The organisation is overseen by a voluntary Trustee Board chaired by Gill Butler, with day-to-day operations led by CEO Claire Lambon alongside Operations Director Rachel Windebank and Finance Director Elaine Herlihy.

Name

Stop Domestic Abuse

Legal name

Southern Domestic Abuse Service

Website

https://stopdomesticabuse.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Stop Domestic Abuse is a UK registered charity and the principal provider of domestic abuse services across Hampshire, Portsmouth, and Southampton, operating 18 refuges, a 24/7 helpline, community support, specialist advocacy, perpetrator programmes, and professional training, with annual income exceeding £10 million.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Abuse Support Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH)

Keywords

• Domestic abuse services
• Refuge accommodation
• Victim support services
• Behavior change programmes
• Specialist training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Havant

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government contracts: Commissioned services from Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, and Police & Crime Commissioner to deliver domestic abuse services across the region.
2. Donations and fundraising: Voluntary donations from individuals, corporate partners, and community fundraising activities including marathon participation, The Big Give campaigns, and sanctuary refuge appeal.
3. National Lottery funding: Grant funding from National Lottery Community Fund for specific initiatives including £785,821 for tackling domestic abuse in south east Hampshire and £75,000 from government's Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Stop Domestic Abuse delivers free, confidential domestic abuse support services across Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton as the principal regional provider. Core offerings include 18 refuges and dispersed safe accommodation, a 24/7 advice line, live chat, community-based one-to-one and group support, specialist advocacy for stalking, LGBTQ+, and male victims, behaviour change programmes for perpetrators, and accredited training for professionals and the wider community. All services are commissioned by local authorities and statutory agencies and delivered at no cost to beneficiaries.

Product overview

Stop Domestic Abuse provides a comprehensive suite of domestic abuse support services as the principal provider across Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton. The organisation offers an integrated service portfolio including 24/7 advice lines and live chat (digital access channels), 18 refuges plus dispersed accommodation (safe housing), community-based one-to-one support and group work programmes (recovery services), specialist advocacy for stalking, LGBTQ+, male victims, children and young people (targeted support), behaviour change programmes for perpetrators, and professional training services. The core offering is free and confidential support accessible via helpline, chat, referral, or in-person, with group programmes including Own My Life, Freedom Programme, Rockpool Recovery Toolkit, Power of Change, Phoenix, Polari (LGBTQ+), Fortis (male survivors), and APA programmes. Training services span community awareness, professional development, and bespoke organisational training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 24/7 Advice Line and Live Chat Support Confidential helpline (0330 0533 630) and website live chat providing advice, support and practical guidance for anyone affected by domestic abuse, free of charge and accessible by individuals or via professional referral.
• Refuge Accommodation and Dispersed Housing 18 refuges delivering 120 family bedspaces across Hampshire (92 across 13 refuges), Portsmouth (16 across 3 refuges) and Southampton (12 across 2 refuges), plus dispersed safe accommodation for those unable to access mainstream refuge, providing practical and emotional support for women, men and children fleeing domestic abuse.
• Community-Based Support and Group Work Programmes Tailored one-to-one support and structured group programmes for adults and children affected by domestic abuse, including specialist programmes for women (Own My Life), LGBTQ+ participants (Polari), and male survivors (Fortis), with practical safety measures and embedded advocates in hospitals and housing offices.
• Children and Young People Services Specialist support for children and young people affected by domestic abuse, including education and prevention workshops delivered in schools, individual intervention, group work, and the APA Programme for parents/carers of children aged 8-16 exhibiting abusive behaviour.
• LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Support Services Specialist advocacy, advice, and assistance for adults in the LGBTQ+ community affected by domestic abuse, including specialist programmes, safe accommodation, and the Polari 12-session trauma-informed psychosocial group.
• Male Victims Support Services Dedicated confidential support for men affected by domestic abuse, including safe accommodation, access to specialist practitioners, and the Fortis 12-session recovery programme.
• Behaviour Change Programmes for Perpetrators Structured programmes supporting people who want to take responsibility for abusive behaviour and stop causing harm, including the Stop. Think. Change. programme available across Fareham, Gosport, Havant and Portsmouth.
• Stalking Advocacy and Support Service Specialist advocacy service supporting people affected by stalking across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, offering safety planning, emotional and practical support, and cyber stalking advice.
• Professional Training Services Accredited professional training for practitioners across police, health, housing, education and social care, including Risk Assessment training, Suicide 1st Aid, Domestic Abuse Champion training, and domestic abuse and suicide combined sessions.
• Bespoke Organisational Training Tailored domestic abuse training designed and delivered for organisations across housing, health, education, social care, and community services, addressing their specific context, workforce and safeguarding responsibilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of high-risk clients felt safer after support received
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire & Isle of WightcoreOthers · 1 July 2023Commissioned stalking advocacy and support services, victim services, and perpetrator programmes. Partnership covers Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
• Women's AidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational membership organization working to end domestic abuse. Stop Domestic Abuse is a member, demonstrating adherence to national quality standards and access to wider network resources and best practices.
• Finding Freedom from AbusecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSub-contractor partnership delivering victim services in Test Valley area. Working with Stop Domestic Abuse on the Hampshire County Council and Police & Crime Commissioner commissioned service for 11 Hampshire districts.
• Yellow DoorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Southampton delivering the domestic abuse and sexual violence service commissioned by Southampton City Council and Police & Crime Commissioner as part of the PIPPA alliance.
• No Limits (Solent)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Southampton delivering the domestic abuse and sexual violence service commissioned by Southampton City Council and Police & Crime Commissioner as part of the PIPPA alliance.
• PIPPA AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance group of specialist sexual and domestic services in Southampton working to end domestic and sexual violence and abuse. Includes Stop Domestic Abuse, Yellow Door, and No Limits.
• Hampshire County CouncilcoreOthersCommissioning body for the victim service contract covering all 11 Hampshire County Council districts. Major funder of community and accommodation-based domestic abuse services.
• Portsmouth City CouncilcoreOthersCommissioning body for domestic abuse support services in Portsmouth including refuge and community-based services.
• Southampton City CouncilcoreOthersCommissioning body for domestic abuse and sexual violence services in Southampton delivered in partnership with Yellow Door and No Limits.
• Royal Hampshire County HospitalsecondaryOthersLocation for Domestic Abuse Health Advocate providing confidential advice and support to patients and staff affected by domestic abuse.
• Andover War Memorial HospitalsecondaryOthersLocation for Domestic Abuse Health Advocate providing confidential advice and support to patients and staff affected by domestic abuse.
• Queen Alexandra HospitalsecondaryOthersLocation for Domestic Abuse Health Advocate providing confidential advice and support to patients and staff affected by domestic abuse.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Southerndas
• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/company/stop-domestic-abuse
• Instagraminstagram.com/southerndas

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stop Domestic Abuse