Safer Lives Ltd

We work with people who are under investigation for sexual offences or who have been convicted, with the aim of preventing their suicide and changing their abusive behaviours. Our backgrounds are in the Probation, Prison and Youth Offending Services. We work nationally from centres in Leeds and Manchester and using video call facilities. All clients must pay something towards fees.

How does your organisation contribute to preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it?

We offer men an initial telephone call and then a face-to-face consultation within 7 days of contact. Our aim at this point is to offer them a better understanding of their situation within the criminal justice process and what their futures might look like, which is probably more realistic than the catastrophic one that they hold. We offer continuous support until court and sentencing.

What are your current priorities?

To evaluate our service with regards suicide prevention.
To increase our access to vulnerable clients.
To encourage professionals of the value of this work and to educate about the vulnerability of the client group.

What challenges are you currently facing?

Some individual police officers and other professionals do not prioritise the safeguarding of these clients, in favour of solely prioritising their investigation and other organisational needs.