A new three-year project has been launched to improve support for military families affected by domestic abuse, as SafeLives and the Army Benevolent Fund join forces to deliver targeted resources, training and collaboration across the Armed Forces and wider public services.
The initiative will focus on both serving and veteran communities, aiming to deliver a consistent, trauma-informed response for those experiencing abuse. It comes as domestic abuse is formally recognised as a national threat in the UK’s 2023 Strategic Policing Requirement—alongside terrorism and serious organised crime—and follows the Ministry of Defence’s publication of its Domestic Abuse Action Plan (2024–2029).
Military families can face unique challenges that make accessing support more difficult, including frequent relocations, isolation from support networks, and complex dynamics around service life. Evidence suggests domestic abuse is significantly underreported in these settings.
A tailored approach for the military community
Peter Monteith, Chief Operations Officer at the Army Benevolent Fund, said the specific demands of military life require a tailored response: “We are delighted to be partnering with SafeLives on the development and delivery of a new national programme to transform the response to domestic abuse among military communities. This is a society-wide issue, but the specific demands of military life require a tailored response so that individuals get the right help at the right time.”
The first phase of the project will gather lived experiences from survivors, service personnel, and frontline professionals. These insights will underpin the development of a Spotlight Report on domestic abuse in military life, alongside a multi-agency toolkit and a national training programme.
Frontline training and pilot phase
Training will be piloted with Unit Welfare Officers (UWOs), Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) staff, and Army Welfare Service (AWS) professionals, with a focus on risk assessment, safeguarding, and engaging those who cause harm. Independent domestic violence advisors (IDVAs/IDAAs) will also receive bespoke training tailored to the realities of military life.
Liz Thompson, Director of External Relations at SafeLives, said: “When someone discloses abuse, the response must be immediate, compassionate and expert. This partnership will help ensure those who serve, and their families, can expect that kind of response every time.”
A long-term shift in systems and culture
Following evaluation of the pilot, the training will be rolled out nationally and supported by an awareness campaign. The project’s aim is to embed early intervention and coordinated care, ensuring survivors receive the same level of support whether they access help through military or civilian services.
By centring survivor voices and improving professional confidence across services, the programme hopes to create lasting change in the way domestic abuse is understood and addressed within military contexts.
The initiative will involve collaboration with the Army Welfare Service, Defence Medical Welfare Service, and the national IDVA network, with the overarching goal of ensuring no military family faces abuse alone or without access to appropriate, timely support.
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