History & Impact
Standing Together was formed by women who were passionate about bringing domestic abuse out of the home and into public recognition with the aim that women experiencing violence and abuse in their own homes could live fear-free lives.
1999 to 2025 Timeline
1998
Standing Together was established in 1998 as one of the UK’s first coordinated community response initiatives to domestic abuse
The vision was simple but ambitious, to bring agencies together to ensure victims were supported, perpetrators were held to account and no one fell through the gaps.
2001
Our first Serious Death Review (before Domestic Homicide Reviews and DA Related Death Reviews).
2002
Our first Specialist Domestic Violence Court Coordination in Hammersmith Magistrates Court.
2007
Our first MARAC Coordination across 3 London Boroughs
After years of successful work within Hammersmith & Fulham, Standing Together began supporting local
authorities and partnerships nationally, providing training, coordination and expertise to embed the CCR model across England and Wales
2009
Developed minimum Housing standards, now grown into Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA)
After years of successful work within Hammersmith & Fulham, Standing Together began supporting local
authorities and partnerships nationally, providing training, coordination and expertise to embed the CCR model across England and Wales
2010
Expanding beyond West London
After years of successful work within Hammersmith & Fulham, Standing Together began supporting local
authorities and partnerships nationally, providing training, coordination and expertise to embed the CCR model across England and Wales
2011
Contributed to a domestic violence, health and maternity project with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
2015
Launching national training and specialist projects
By 2015, Standing Together had launched specialist projects on health, housing and criminal justice, helping public services to identify and respond to domestic abuse earlier and more effectively. The charity also began delivering accredited training, reaching thousands of frontline professionals each year.
2016
The Safety Across Faith and Ethnic (SAFE) Communities Project began
2017
Our Pathfinder project brought together expertise and funding for specialist interventions to embed a ‘Whole Health’ approach to domestic abuse in 8 sites across England.
2018
20 years of impact
Co-founded the Faith & VAWG Coalition, with Restored, Respect, Muslim Youth Helpline, Jewish Women’s Aid, Forward UK and Latin American Women’s Rights Service.
First of its kind, The Whole Housing Approach was peioneered by the National Domestic Abuse and Housing Policy & Practice Group, chaired by us, to meet the needs of survivors across all housing tenures and support needs.
2020
Leading through crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Standing Together adapted its training and support to help services respond to the surge in domestic abuse cases and the additional risks caused by isolation, financial strain and limited access to safe spaces
2021
Piloted the first Mentor Court Project, and mapped Courts across England
STADA led two major national programmes: The Whole Health Approach, embedding domestic abuse leads within NHS settings.
The Whole Housing Approach, piloted with Cheshire East Council, integrating domestic abuse support within local housing systems. Both projects demonstrated how coordinated system change saves lives and public resources.
Coordinated Harmful Practices Operational Group which focuses on addressing harmful practices, including ‘honour’ based abuse, forced marriage, and FGM, through research provision and partnership work.
2022
Cocation Hub and Crossing Pathways
The Coaction Hub a partnership with Asian Women’s Resource Centre works to strengthen the CCR to improve responses to Black and Minoritized/global majority survivors of domestic abuse and harmful practices.
Our ‘Crossing Pathways’ project aimed at improving healthcare’s response to domestic abuse, pathways for survivors and develop best practices.
2023
Rebrand to Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA)
Reflecting the broader nature of its work – across health, housing, justice and community systems, the organisation formally became Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse.
The rebrand signalled a renewed commitment to systemic change and survivor centred collaboration.
Our revamped Coordinated Community Response offer, with an experienced and dedicated team.
2024
National influence and strategic partnerships
STADA played a key role in shaping national guidance on domestic abuse within health and housing, working with the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Home Office and NHS England.
The publication of “Never Again, Again”, the national review of domestic homicide and suicide, reinforced STADA’s commitment to learning, prevention and accountability.
2024
Multiple Disadvantage and Homelessness
This programme strengthens the response to survivors of domestic abuse who are also experiencing other forms of severe disadvantage.
Enhanced our training offer with our specialist trainers and dedicated team.
2025 - 2030 Strategy
In 2025, STADA launched its five-year strategy, which sets our course to end domestic abuse by transforming systems and centring survivor voices
“We can only end domestic abuse if we work together — across every service, every system, every community.
Jo Choi, Interim CEO
Our Ongoing Impact
Over 25 years of national leadership on coordinated domestic abuse response
Partnerships with 100+ agencies across health, housing, justice and local government
Thousands of professionals trained each year
Evidence-based change influencing national policy and legislation
Centred on survivors’ voices — shaping systems that work for those who need them most