About us

Who we are and what we do

In Suffolk there were 15,380 related incidents of domestic violence and abuse reported in 2022-23. This was a rise of 7% on the previous year.

We are Compassion, a charity dedicated to providing support for all victims of domestic abuse, both current and historic. This free support is provided to all victims, irrespective of gender or age. We were established in 2002, and are based in Sudbury providing support throughout Suffolk. Over the past two years over 450 people have either approached or been referred to Compassion for support.

What we offer to victims of domestic abuse

Our trained staff and volunteers offer a range of free services with three distinct areas of support:

•  Befriending and weekly coffee mornings – by phone, online and in person either one to one or at one of our weekly coffee mornings, with a wrap-around holistic service through our connection with other organisations for housing, debt, health, addiction and social care. We regularly invite other services such as Citizens Advice to give presentations at our coffee mornings to outline the services and support they can offer.

• Free access to Legal Services via the law clinic dealing with potentially child related issues, divorce, separation and/or injunction proceedings through our active relationship with Birkett’s LLP.

•  Support through Accredited Intervention Programmes for victims.

Our three programmes, VOICE, Who’s In Charge and Escape The Trap are aimed at the prevention of violence from an adult partner or relative, Child to Adult violence in the home and a preventative course providing support for teenagers suffering from relationship abuse at school. Details of courses and the impact of our services are to be found on our website below: https://www.compass-ion.org/services

Transforming Lives

Feedback from programme participants evidences that the interventions transform the lives of those who attend by raising awareness and understanding of the many forms of abuse that can be experienced.

Our work programmes improve victims’ safety, confidence and wellbeing enabling them to process and recover from their abusive experiences, leading them to live a life without fear.

The team