For 8 transformative years, First Light has been proud to launch and deliver Safer Futures, an integrated Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence service supporting individuals and families across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
From its launch in 2018, Safer Futures was more than a service delivered by First Light, it was a commitment. A commitment that everyone affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence deserves to be heard, believed and supported, and that safety, dignity and recovery should be accessible to all, wherever they live.
As First Light comes to the end of its delivery of the Safer Futures service, we are taking a moment to reflect on the extraordinary impact created by survivors, staff, partners and communities working together.
A Service Built on Collaboration and Care
Safer Futures began in 2018 through partnership working, bringing domestic abuse and sexual violence services together into one coordinated, accessible system for the first time.
This integrated approach transformed how people accessed support, offering a single point of contact, trauma‑informed responses and specialist pathways for people at every level of risk.
From the very first year, demand was high and remained so throughout the life of the service, reflecting both increased awareness and significant unmet need across the region.
8 Years of Impact Across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Between 2018 and 2026, First Light supported tens of thousands of people experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence. Each year brought increasing demand, growing complexity and continued innovation, ensuring no one was left without help, including during the Covid‑19 pandemic and periods of system‑wide pressure.
Across the eight years:
- Over 100,000 helpline calls were answered, offering immediate advice, safety planning and reassurance to individuals, families, friends and professionals across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
- 5,000+ high‑risk individuals and families received specialist advocacy through IDVA, DASA and court‑based services, ensuring protection, representation and safety at the most critical moments
- Tens of thousands of adults, children and young people were supported through whole‑family, whole‑life approaches, recognising the long‑term and intergenerational impact of domestic abuse and sexual violence
- Thousands of people accessed recovery pathways, therapy, mentoring and long‑term emotional support, helping survivors move beyond crisis and rebuild safer, healthier futures
- Victims in rural and island communities, including the Isles of Scilly, saw significant improvements in access to specialist help, with year‑on‑year increases in referrals and support reaching isolated communities
While statistics demonstrate scale, the true impact of Safer Futures is found in the lives changed, in survivors gaining safety, confidence and independence, and in families beginning new chapters free from abuse.
Innovation, Early Intervention and Specialist Pathways
Over 8 years, First Light continually evolved support to meet emerging needs.
This included:
- Primary care and GP‑linked pathways, enabling earlier identification and faster intervention
- Domestic Abuse Support Advisors (DASA) providing accessible, practical and emotional support
- Specialist services for children and young people, older victims, LGBTQ+ survivors and those with complex needs
- Strong multi‑agency working across health, housing, policing, courts and voluntary services
This ensured people were supported at the right time, in the right way, whether at the point of crisis or during longer recovery journeys.
A Legacy of Compassion and Change
Safer Futures has shaped not only the lives of those it supported, but also the wider system around it. The service model developed over these eight years has been widely respected, trauma‑informed at its core and rooted in belief, dignity and empowerment.
Safer Futures has always been about more than interventions, it has been about human connection, advocacy and standing alongside people when they need it most.
Looking Ahead
As First Light concludes this chapter delivering Safer Futures, we are proud of the legacy created and deeply grateful to every person who contributed, from survivors who trusted us with their stories, to staff and partners who brought commitment, courage and compassion to the work every day.
First Light is excited to continue providing vital support across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly through our First Light Family Domestic Abuse Service Advisors (DASA), our Court IDVA Service and our Family Court IDVA Service, ensuring that safety, advocacy and recovery remain at the heart of everything we do.
