Nadia Hockley is a Community Safety Officer at Abri. Working as part of our Community Safety Team, she tackles Anti-social behaviour (ASB) and domestic abuse in our communities.
Every year on November 25th, the world observes the White Ribbon Campaign, a global movement to end domestic abuse and violence against women.
The campaign is more than a symbol; it’s a call to action. It reminds us that domestic abuse is not just a private issue, it’s a societal one that affects families, communities, and generations. It requires all of us to speak out, stand together, and take meaningful steps toward change.
My journey at Abri
I’ve worked at Abri for 23 years in total, with 18 of those as a Community Safety Officer. During this time, I’ve had the privilege and the responsibility of advocating for and supporting customers, colleagues, family, friends, and the wider community impacted by domestic abuse.
I am proud to work for Abri, an organisation that doesn’t just acknowledge the problem but actively empowers us to make a difference. We are given the tools, resources, and partnerships to protect victims and challenge perpetrators. Every day, we strive to create safer homes and stronger communities.
How we make a difference
Domestic abuse is complex, but our response is clear: we act. Here’s how:
See Something Say Something: At Abri, we believe that we all have a duty to speak up if we see something that doesn’t look right. This service was created to enable colleagues to easily report any concerns that may be seen during a home visit or call. It helps us to identify potential safeguarding concerns and gives us a chance to put things right before they go wrong.
Working collaboratively: the Community Safety Team works together quickly and prioritises the actions that will make the biggest difference. We also work closely with agencies such as the Police, Domestic Abuse Services, Social Care, Probation, NHS, Local Authorities, and voluntary organisations. Sharing information, conducting joint visits, funding projects, and making referrals helps us to protect and support victims.
Creating safer homes: We provide practical security measures like window alarms, security lighting, video doorbells, fireproof letterboxes, dummy cameras, and personal attack alarms. We also change locks, install additional locks and chains, fit window locks, and fund repairs or build fencing and gates.
Providing safe options: Through our management transfer policy, we can move customers within our housing stock when they feel unsafe in their current home.
Taking action against perpetrators: We use the tools and powers available under tenancy agreements to take enforcement action against those responsible for violence and domestic abuse.
Educating colleagues: We deliver training on safeguarding and domestic abuse to ensure our teams can identify and respond to cases effectively.
Why awareness matters
Domestic abuse thrives in silence. Campaigns like White Ribbon break that silence. They remind survivors that they are not alone and encourage communities to take a stand. As an organisation, we have the strength and ability to raise awareness - not just for this campaign but for every survivor who needs support and safety.
How you can help
Share the message: Use your platforms to spread awareness about domestic abuse and the White Ribbon Campaign.
Donate: Support organisations that provide life-saving services to victims
Speak out: Challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence.
Together, we can make homes and communities safer for everyone.
Join us. Wear the white ribbon. Speak out. Act now.
There is still a lot of work to be done. Statistics tell us that one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and two women a week are murdered by their current or former partner. In addition, one in six men will also experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. It is for these reasons that we will continue be proactive with our commitment to tackle domestic abuse in our communities.
We’re here to help those experiencing domestic abuse. We work with partners, including local police, to help people make their home a safe place to be. This could include arranging a move to a new property, away from where the abuse was happening. Additionally, we work with Independent Domestic Violence Advisors to put an action plan in place to stop the cycle of abuse.
Learn more about how we can support victims of domestic violence here.