GDASS Newsletter July 2025
A monthly update of news, training and opportunities from GDASS.
Spotlight
Domestic Abuse Doesn’t Take a Summer Break
As July unfolds and routines shift for the school holidays, it’s easy to assume that summer brings a welcome pause. Yet for those facing domestic abuse, the season can intensify risk, deepen isolation, and create new barriers to seeking help.
The Illusion of Safety
From the outside, summer can seem like a time of joy such as family days out, holidays, and sunny afternoons. But behind closed doors, it often looks very different.
For many victims, the shift in routine means:
- No safe space – With children home from school, there's little to no private time to ask for help/
- Fewer trusted adults around – Professionals like teachers, social workers and youth mentors may be unavailable or off duty.
- More time at home – For victims living with their abuser, summer often means prolonged exposure and increased risk.
The warm weather and smiling photos mask the reality for many: summer can be one of the most dangerous times of the year.
Summer Stress = Heightened Risk
Summer brings its own pressures that can exacerbate abusive behaviour:
- Financial strain: Costs rise with childcare, food, and activities.
- Disrupted routines: The lack of structure adds stress and tension to already volatile situations.
- Isolation: Support networks are stretched thin while friends and services take time off.
Keep Domestic Abuse on the Radar
While it may feel like the world slows down during summer, our vigilance can’t afford to. Whether you’re a professional, a neighbour, a volunteer, or a friend, now is not the time to look away.
- Don’t assume someone’s silence means they’re safe.
- Make space for conversations. Listen without judgement.
- Be a quiet constant. Your presence might be the only reliable thing someone has access to right now.
By keeping domestic abuse on the radar through the summer, we ensure that support isn’t seasonal and neither is safety.
How You Can Help
- Reach out: Even a casual message or check-in can open the door to support.
- Challenge assumptions: Just because someone looks “fine” doesn’t mean they’re safe.
- Share information: Let people know that services like GDASS are still open and ready to help.
GDASS Is Here All Summer
No matter the season, GDASS remains open to support anyone affected by domestic abuse:
- 01452 726570 (Mon–Fri, 9 am–5 pm)
- www.gdass.org.uk
- 999 in an emergency
Domestic abuse doesn’t take a holiday and neither do we. If you or someone you know needs help, reach out today.
Sector News
Call for Police Training on Pet Abuse in Coercive Control
The Naturewatch Foundation is urging mandatory training for police in England and Wales on recognising how perpetrators use pets to manipulate and control victims. Only around 60% of forces currently provide such training, despite widespread evidence that threats to or harm to animals can keep victims trapped. This highlights an often-overlooked tactic of abuse and the need for more pet-friendly refuge options. Read more here.
Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse publishes new report on recommendations for health services
A new report from Stand Together Against Domestic Abuse (Stada) criticises the NHS for inconsistent safeguarding practices and undertrained staff. With over 90% of domestic abuse-related homicides involving safeguarding failures, the NHS has been called upon to prioritise training and coordination for both mental health and physical health professionals. Read more here.
Gloucestershire Police Introduces 'Words Matter' Reporting Guidelines
In collaboration with the charity This Ends Now, Gloucestershire Police have launched new reporting guidelines to reduce victim-blaming language in media communications. The 'Words Matter' initiative emphasises placing responsibility on perpetrators and aims to foster a culture of accountability and support for victims. Read more here.
Improved Social Housing Access for Domestic Abuse Survivors
As of June 2025, updated government guidance strengthens access to social housing for victims of domestic abuse. Councils are now required to give priority to those fleeing abuse, even if they lack a local connection—ensuring survivors are not forced to choose between safety and housing eligibility. The new measures aim to make it easier for people escaping abuse to access secure accommodation quickly and without unnecessary barriers. Read the full GOV.UK article.
Research and Resources
Strangulation in the Media: IFAS Report Highlights Gendered Reporting
Between November 2022 and November 2024, IFAS analysed 294 UK online article titles about strangulation. Their content analysis explored how media headlines frame victims, perpetrators, and violence against women and girls. In a new report, IFAS examined word frequency in titles about fatal and non-fatal strangulation. A key finding: the word “wife” appeared frequently in fatal strangulation headlines, while “father” and “husband” appeared only twice, highlighting a gendered disparity in how victims and perpetrators are portrayed. Learn more here.
Podcast: Domestic abuse in pregnancy and how to improve support for families affected by it
In this powerful episode, Lauren Seager-Smith (The For Baby’s Sake Trust) and Paddi Vint (NSPCC) discuss why babies are particularly vulnerable to domestic abuse and what professionals must do to ensure they are seen, heard, and safeguarded. Listen here.