What does the survivor journey look like?
Passionate about preventing Domestic Abuse
Kevin Forsey, pictured with Healthwatch South Tees’ Volunteer and Engagement Officer, Vicky Jackson
5 years from now, what does the survivor journey look like?
This is what I think of during my day to day work as a newly appointed Domestic Abuse Survivor Liaison Worker at Middlesbrough Council.
The role is kind of ground-breaking in a stigma abolishing sense. Stereotypically, I don’t look the type to have that job title added to my name. I am follicly challenged and muscular with several scars on my face. Some might think, what could he know about being a domestic abuse victim? Maybe a survivor society would have us once believe that but for first impressions and all that!
Underneath that layer, I carry heavy internal scars from lived experience of abuse and years of mental health problems from childhood onwards.
I’m also teetotal, drug free and train religiously as a means to build positive resilience. A complete turnaround from how I used to be, where my outer shell would have displayed a more “media ready, victim-like” state.
The fact is domestic abuse is a human problem and everyone and anyone can be affected by it. Therefore, it’s all our duty to bring domestic abuse awareness to our lives to shine the spotlight deep and bright, regardless of our sex or demographic.
Some fantastic services are already doing this in our humble town, including My Sisters Place with their ASK ME ambassador training which is open to all. This short course packs enough pointers in for people to develop a solid foundation of awareness to build on.
There are also survivor groups in ongoing development, catering to a huge spread of society and the variety of characteristics that come with it (from AgeUK to Creative Minds BAME, Hart Gables LGBTQ+ etc). It’s through the survivors voice we can start putting the individual at the heart of provision, heading to a holistic horizon which can empower every service and service user going forward.
I’m approx. 9 weeks into my quest to reach and engage all corners in our voluntary and statutory community but I am hopeful the barriers can be broken down across the board and by the curtain close of 2022, I know we can have a stronger DASP (Domestic Abuse Strategic Partnership) and a stronger grasp on what needs amplifying, what is missing and what works great for all our survivors in all our communities.
So, what do I see 5 years from now? I see the rise of empathy and compassion, the rise of engagement, the rise of ‘by the people for the people’ approaches. I’m proud to be a part of South Tees Wellbeing Network, Middlesbrough Council and HealthWatch Middlesbrough.
Kevin Barry Forsey, kevin_forsey@middlesbrough.gov.uk Middlesbrough Councils DA Survivor Liaison Worker
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