Portsmouth City of Sanctuary (PCoS) has co-founded the first female-only drop-in service ‘HAVEN’ for women living in Portsmouth who have experienced any form of gender violence.

HAVEN has worked with many women needing help since it opened in May 2021. We have supported survivors of sexual gender based violence – FGM, forced marriage, domestic violence, trafficking, sexual exploitation and women engaged in sex work.

The group consists of various weekly activities that promote independence, increase confidence and empower women to be the best version of themselves. We use a trauma informed approach, and feedback from the women is key in shaping our term time activity schedule.

It is a safe space where women have activities ranging from knitting, sewing, baking, dance and we invite key speakers from across the City. The most popular sessions are arts and crafts which promote good mental health.

Do you work with women suffering gender violence?

The Referral Form below is for professionals who work with asylum seeker, refugee and migrant women suffering gender-based violence (e.g. FGM, forced marriage, honour abuse, breast ironing, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, trafficking and other forms of harm).

Stop Motion animation workshop

The women and girls in the HAVEN group welcomed the wonderful, multidisciplinary artist, Anna Barzotti to lead a creative workshop. Anna shared her skills with the group, creating stop-motion animation. This is a filmmaking technique that makes objects appear to move on their own by photographing them, moving them slightly, and playing the sequence of images back rapidly.

Our participants handcrafted the backgrounds and moving objects and, with Anna’s help, created numerous short films showcasing their creativity.

Engagement with the arts is proven to improve mental health and we ensure we connect with local Portsmouth artists in order to provide a range of different arts-based activities that promote wellbeing and integrate our women into the local community.

Artist, Anna Barzotti, edited the following film showcasing the work created. Enjoy!

The ‘UNSEEN Women’ film

There a women suffering gender violence in Portsmouth, facing exploitation but who are ‘unseen’. PCoS worked with a local film company to produce this film to increase awareness.

Portsmouth City of Sanctuary’s HAVEN project is in partnership with Vista, Spa 31.