Here When You're Ready

We are here for women affected by abuse. You are not alone.

We exist to create somewhere to reflect, connect and be heard, and to rebuild confidence and independence at your own pace.

Learn About Our Programme

The Stark Reality

Every three seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman is abused. Not every three hours. Not every three days. Every Three seconds.

Domestic abuse does not discriminate. It crosses every age, background, culture, religion and income level. It can be physical, emotional, financial or psychological. And for many women, it can be hard to even recognise it for what it is.

It's Ok To Ask For Help

What is happening to you is not your fault.

If any of this feels familiar, there is something important we want you to know.

What is happening to you is not your fault. You are not responsible for their behaviour. They are.

Abuse thrives in silence and isolation. We exist to change that, one woman at a time.

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  • Are you looking for support?

    Whether you have just started to question your relationship or you have known for a while that something isn't right, we are here. No pressure, no judgement, just a safe space to take the next step when you are ready.

    Find out about the programme

  • Are you a <em>professional</em>?

    If you work with women who may be experiencing abuse, we make referring straightforward. Our programme is trauma-informed, evidence-based and delivered by people who truly understand what these women are going through.

    Refer a Woman

About the Programme

The Oasis of Strength: educative, trauma-informed and completely free.

The Oasis of Strength is a 12-week programme designed to support women affected by abuse. It runs both online and in person, so wherever you are and whatever your situation, there is a way to take part. It is a space to reflect on your experiences, connect with other women who understand, and begin to rebuild your confidence and independence at your own pace.

It's Ok To Ask For Help

Our Values

  • Safety First

    Every decision we make, every word we choose, is guided by the safety and wellbeing of the women we serve.

  • No women left behind

    Abuse does not discriminate. Our programme is inclusive, culturally aware and open to women regardless of background or circumstance.

  • Knowledge is Power

    We believe that understanding your experience is the first step to changing it. Education and awareness sit at the heart of everything we do.

  • Rooted in reality

    Our work is grounded in lived experience and decades of frontline practice. We speak from a place of genuine understanding, not assumption.

Every Three Seconds | Trauma-Informed Programme for Women Affected by Abused | Woman Drinking Cup of Tea

Why Every 3 Seconds

Having seen first-hand how abuse affects confidence, identity and independence, Sonia created the Oasis of Strength programme to be part of the solution.

Every 3 Seconds was founded by Sonia Ackun, driven by over 40 years of lived and professional experience working with women affected by abuse. This is not a service built from the outside looking in. It is built from deep understanding, genuine care, and an unwavering belief that every woman deserves to feel safe, seen and supported.

Read Sonia's Story

About the Programme

Supporting Women Affected By Abuse Through Our Programme

Since launching the Oasis of Strength programme, we have supported women across London and beyond, working with over 110 referring agencies to ensure women can find us when they need us most.

Our pilot in the London Borough of Croydon demonstrated positive outcomes for participants, strengthening our delivery model and our resolve to reach more women.

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Our Impact So Far

144

To date we have delivered 144 sessions.

84%

We have a retention rate of 84% on average.

92%

92% of women reported meaningful improvements.

  • “When I first joined the programme I was still in denial that I wasn’t abused and that there was only elements of it in my relationship.

    I also believed that there are other people out there in worse situations than me and justified the fact that what he was doing to me wasn’t that bad. I didn’t expect to learn about how much more I had been abused in a lot more areas.”

  • “I have been well supported, felt relaxed and think I can do and say things I couldn’t.

    I felt safe because it felt like being around family. I am sleeping much better and more uplifted”

  • “Thank you so much for this wonderful group. The last 12 weeks have been filled with so much healing and sisterhood.

    Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I initially joined, and I was scared that I would be too shy to fully express myself. But every week, I saw myself break through self-doubt because of how safe I felt in the group.”

  • "I’m deeply grateful for this journey as it has been such a significant part of my healing process.

    To someone considering support, I’d want them to know- it’s okay to not have everything figured out. It’s okay to feel unsure or overwhelmed—support is available, and you don’t have to face things alone. Every bad situation isn’t the end of the story; there’s hope and help out there for everyone.”

  • "My experience with Oasis of Strength was truly transformative for me.

    It provided a safe and supportive environment where I could open up, share my experiences, and heal from things I didn’t even realize I had gone through. It allowed me to see my journey from a broader perspective and gain valuable insights into how people function, what to embrace, and what to avoid in the future. “

  • "This experience was life-changing and gave me more confidence in the value of therapy and support.

    The sense of community and belonging among the women was incredible—it felt like finding a family of sisters who understood and uplifted one another. The structure of the sessions was perfect—not overly rigid—which encouraged authentic self-expression and deep connection.”

  • "The Oasis of Strength Programme has allowed parents we work with to easily access an online supportive and robust learning group.

    Facilitated by an experienced professional, discussions are guided in order to encourage thoughtful reflection. A large part of its success is the peer support offered, as listening and talking to others with lived experience has a profound impact on parents’ ability to reflect on their own experiences. A recent parent who completed the course said that she had learn to “break lines and how to choose not to go into a toxic relationship and find your partner wisely which is healthy for you and your child…” Overall she was happy to have done the Oasis course as it has taught her how piece of mind and a relaxed atmosphere is so much better than a stressful situation that she has been in before in her relationships.”

  • "I have been well supported, felt relaxed and think I can do and say things I couldn’t.

    I felt safe because it felt like being around family. I am sleeping much better and more uplifted”

  • "I’m a free person and I am only going to worry about me from now on.

    I am thinking more of myself and try not to worry what other people think of me. This programme is what I have been looking for years and so happy I found wonderful ladies and understanding of everybody’s needs. I am listened to and I get support because you feel so lonely in your life.”