3S are a relatively new charity created by victims of domestic abuse for victims of domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse support groups run by charity Safe, Strong, Secure (3S) have started in Ramsey and Douglas.
The charity was formed by victims of abuse for victims of abuse and aims to help anyone who has been affected by any type of domestic abuse.
Abuse affects one in four women, one in four teenagers and at least one in six men. The figure for men may be higher than that because men are even less likely to report it.
At present, a morning support group takes place at the Alpha Centre, Broadway, Douglas, on Mondays from 10am to 11am. Also a Ramsey group meets at the Sure Strike Bowling Alley from 8-9pm.
In time, volunteers will start to lead groups and it is hoped groups will eventually meet across the island. It is free to attend, but there is a collection towards room hire.
Groups are anonymous and confidential. The only time confidentiality may be broken is if the abuse is current and involves children.
The structure of the groups is flexible. Usually the format will be taking it in turns to say how our day or our week has gone. If someone doesn’t want to speak at all that is fine.
Posters and postcards about the groups are being made available at the probation service, police, social services and churches.
Alternatively contact 3s@safestrongsecure.im or 383050.
If a call is not answered victims are advised to send a text including a phone number where it is safe for 3S to return their call: ‘Because we know the danger of some abuse situations 3S will not normally phone a victim back unless we know that doing so will not put the person at risk.’