When summer doesn’t feel safe

By Saskia Lightburn-Ritchie, CEO of MyCWA (Cheshire Without Abuse)

For many families, the summer holidays are something to look forward to. A break from the school run, more time together, days out, playdates, trips to the park, and the chance to make memories.

But for adults and children living with domestic abuse, the summer holidays can feel very different.

When schools close, some families lose much more than routine. School can be a place of safety, structure and support. It can be where children see trusted adults, where worries are noticed, and where parents may have small windows of time to speak to someone or seek help.

During the holidays, those opportunities can become much harder to find.

For someone experiencing domestic abuse, summer can mean spending more time at home with the person causing harm. It can mean being more closely monitored, feeling constantly on edge, worrying about the children, missing the usual chances to talk privately, and becoming more isolated from friends, family and professionals.

Domestic abuse does not always look the way people expect. It is not only physical violence. It can include coercive control, threats, intimidation, financial control, isolation, emotional abuse, harassment and manipulation. It can leave people feeling frightened, trapped, confused and unable to see a safe way forward.

This summer, it is more important than ever that we keep looking out for one another.

A friend, neighbour, colleague or family member may not be able to say directly that something is wrong. But you might notice changes. They may seem quieter or more withdrawn, cancel plans repeatedly, appear anxious about getting home, stop replying freely to messages, or seem worried about their partner’s reaction. You do not need to have all the answers. A gentle check-in, a quiet offer of support, or simply letting someone know you are there can make a real difference.

If you are worried about someone, try to create a safe and private opportunity to talk. Listen without judgement. Believe what they tell you. Avoid confronting the person causing harm, as this can increase risk. Encourage them to contact specialist support when it is safe to do so.

For anyone affected by domestic abuse, there are free, confidential resources available.

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. It is free, confidential and run by specialist domestic abuse advisers.

MyCWA’s website also includes helpful information and resources for anyone who may be experiencing abuse, or for friends, relatives and professionals who are worried about someone else. These resources can help people better understand domestic abuse, recognise the signs, and think about safe next steps. Step Forward to Recovery, available on our website, is a free, self-paced online recovery programme for adult survivors. It has been designed to help people understand the impact of abuse, rebuild confidence, and begin to move forward in their own time, at their own pace.

For anyone who is not ready to speak to someone directly, AimeeBot, MyCWA’s online chatbot, can also help people explore information and support in a more private and accessible way.

Visit www.mycwa.org.uk for information, resources, Step Forward to Recovery and AimeeBot support.

You can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

In an emergency, always call 999.

For more information about workplace domestic abuse training and support, visit www.domesticabuseexperts.org.uk