launch of Kirklees Domestic Abuse Specialist Services (KDASS)
Kirklees Council has announced the launch of Kirklees Domestic Abuse Specialist Services (KDASS), which was developed in 2024 as a collaborative and innovative ambition to improve the experience for individuals experiencing abuse, fulfil the aspirations of the Domestic Abuse Strategy, and bring together a partnership of Specialist Domestic Abuse Services across Kirklees.
This partnership has been developed in collaboration with Bridges Outcomes Partnerships | People powered partnerships), to be delivered as a Social Outcomes partnership, building on the success of the flexible, accountable and person led approach used for the Kirklees Better Outcomes Partnership. It will be the first Domestic Abuse Social Outcomes Partnership in the country.
The specialist services within KDASS are:
- PDAP – Providing high-quality specialist support, advice, information and safe accommodation to anyone affected by or experiencing domestic abuse
- RASAC – Offering therapeutic, advisory and helpline services for people, aged 13+, who have experienced rape, sexual and domestic abuse, at any time in their lives, living in Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield.
- Women Making Changes (WMC) Project – Delivered by WomenCentre in Kirklees, to support women impacted by domestic abuse, who have a range of concerns and complexities. The service offers interventions which could include support to attend a one-off appointment, immediate housing issues or specific access orders.
KDASS offers a range of bespoke support to anyone over the age of 18 who has experienced or is experiencing domestic abuse, with specialist services for people from ethnically diverse communities and LGBTQ+ people. Please see KDASS website for further information.
To support the launch of KDASS, the Council’s Domestic Abuse Team has developed a range of resources to help people understand the impact of domestic abuse and how professionals, practitioners, community leaders, family and friends can help people who may be affected.
Staff can also access e-learning to get a better understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on children, via eLearning Courses (event-booking.org.uk)
Further information and advice is available from the Kirklees Council website: Domestic abuse | Kirklees Council