Advocacy - ESDAS | East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service

At ESDAS, our advocacy team is here to stand alongside you, listen to what matters most to you, and help you get the support you deserve.

Someone in your corner

Advocacy means having someone in your corner, someone who will believe you, speak up for you, and make sure your voice is heard. We can:

Work with you to create a safety plan that fits your situation and priorities.
Support you with housing, benefits, healthcare, and other practical needs.
Explain your legal rights and support you if you choose to go to court or speak to the police.
Liaise with other professionals, such as housing officers, social workers, GPs, and schools to make sure your needs are understood and acted on.
Speak on your behalf if something isn’t right, if you’re not being heard, or if you need help challenging a decision.
Represent your views and priorities at Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) so different services can work together to keep you safe.
Give you advice on staying safe online and protecting your privacy if technology is being used to monitor or harass you.

Trusted, experienced support

Everything we do is guided by the Women’s Aid National Quality Standards: we work in a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and needs-led way, putting you at the centre of every decision.

We recognise that domestic abuse is both a personal and a social issue, shaped by inequality and power. We are committed to challenging oppression in all its forms and to amplifying the voices of women and survivors so that systems and services become safer, fairer, and more inclusive.

You stay in control; we provide clear information, practical help, and emotional support so you can make the choices that are right for you.

You can contact us directly, or a professional you trust can refer you to us with your consent. However you reach us, we will be here to listen, believe, and stand with you every step of the way.

Counselling

ESDAS counselling offers a safe, confidential space to process experiences, rebuild confidence, and explore choices for the future.

Group Work

ESDAS group programmes help survivors build confidence, resilience, and skills, with drop-ins offering safe connection and shared support.