Stockport Without Abuse is a local charity which offers a range of services to help and support women, men and children who are affected by domestic abuse.

Everyone has the right to live their life free from fear, violence and abuse. Sometimes it is difficult to know what is happening and you can feel confused and unsure about whether you are in an abusive relationship and the options available to you. You may feel frightened, humiliated and isolated.

Mission

Stockport Without Abuse believes that everyone has a right to live in safety and to have a future without fear.

Aims

• - Prevention of domestic abuse through education& awareness raising
• - Protection and support to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse
• - Empowerment to victims to increase resilience & regain lifelong independence

History

Stockport Without Abuse has been around for over thirty years. In the sixties and seventies there was a huge drive by the women’s liberation movement to recognise and combat the issue of domestic violence and abuse, which was largely ignored by the police and courts, and accepted by society with the attitude ‘it’s only a domestic’.

Heaton Moor Women’s Group tried to find out what service provision was available in Stockport to help women and protect them from violence. This group formalised itself in 1975 to become Stockport Women’s Aid and opened the first refuge for women and children in Stockport.

Over the years, they have grown considerably and developed a whole range of services. Attitude to domestic abuse has changed considerably and they now work in close and strong partnership with their statutory, private and voluntary sector partners to keep victims safe and challenge public awareness of domestic abuse. 

In 2011, they changed their name to Stockport Without Abuse to reflect the support they offer to male victims and children as well as women.