The core elements of my role are to support clients in identifying their strengths, addressing risk, making informed decisions, and finding ways to move forward in their lives.
I’ve always been a feminist, and this work helps me live out my values. For me, feminism is not just about equality but about equity. It means being passionate about supporting and empowering people who feel marginalised, powerless, or defeated — those who feel they’ve lost control or autonomy over their lives.
So what’s the most important part of my job? Building trust.
Why? Because survivors of domestic abuse are often judged just as much as, if not more than, the people who cause harm. Partner-blaming comments like “Why don’t they just leave?”, “Why do they keep going back?”, or “There are always two sides” are sadly common. These attitudes stop victims and survivors from coming forward. For LGBTQ+ survivors, there are further layers of stigma, making disclosure even harder.
That’s why I never take it lightly when someone places their trust in me. To disclose abuse takes immense courage — to then trust a stranger with that information is an even bigger step. It’s a privilege I hold in mind every day before starting work.
My working day usually begins with checking emails and my calendar. As we’re a small team, we all pitch in. One day I might be delivering a presentation to professionals or attending a networking event, the next I could be hosting a focus group or joining an LGBTQ+ walking group. All these activities are vital for raising awareness and building a visible, trusted presence in the communities we serve. The more visible we are, the more likely people are to approach us for support.
Today, I’ve prepared for a client session by revisiting their most recent case records. We’d planned to build on the safety planning and goal setting from previous sessions. Unlike the structured behaviour change programme, partner support work is fluid — guided by immediate experiences and risks. My client has shared their struggles with anxiety, which pre-date their relationship but affect their day-to-day life. Together we explored strategies, including a referral to a specialist service and some self-help tools for immediate support.
After lunch, I completed the referral and wrote up my case notes. Tomorrow we’ll review progress as a team at a case management meeting, which is always a good chance to reflect together.
This afternoon was focused on practice development, with training on self-care and vicarious trauma, followed by clinical supervision. These are essential. Supporting people through trauma is rewarding, but it can also be emotionally demanding. Taking time to decompress, reflect, and look after ourselves ensures we can continue to deliver person-centred and empathetic support, while also sustaining each other as colleagues.
It’s been a good day. Not every day is easy, but every step forward matters. Always take the wins.
