Who We Are

We are a specialist team who understand and supports frontline services to ensure that there is coordinate approach for victim and survivors of domestic violence.

Anthony Wills, Chief Executive, since 2007

Anthony has been Chief Executive of Standing Together since 2007. The realisation that domestic violence is both a serious crime and a fundamental social ill - and that partnership could change the culture around the issue - led him to support the project from the outset. Following his retirement as Chief Superintendent of Hammersmith and Fulham Police, and a stint as a Community Safety consultant to the council, Anthony took on the new post of Chief Executive.

A key part of Anthony’s work is to assist in developing domestic violence partnerships throughout the UK. He also worked closely with central Government to increase the number of Specialist Domestic Violence Courts, and for the Tackling Violent Crime Programme.

'Standing Together synthesises principles with effective practice. Since the very beginning, we have maintained the importance of safety for the victim and her children and the need to hold perpetrators to account. Partnership is difficult. But the expertise of staff within our organisation allows us to get better outcomes for survivors in a multi-agency setting.'

Beryl Foster, OBE, Finance Director, since 1998

Beryl has a background in community work in the 1960s and 1970s followed by 20 years with Women's Aid.  She was part of the multi-agency team which developed the 'Standing Together' initiative in the 1990s, inspired by the example of Ellen Pence in Duluth, Minnesota, USA.

Beryl's role as coordinator at Standing Together has changed over the years since 1998, and she now manages the finances and governance of the charity, sharing her experience with a new generation of coordinators.

Peta Sissons, Training and Information Officer, since 2002

Peta was a founder member of Standing Together and served on its Steering Committee for several years, moving into the new post of Training Officer in 2002. Peta has 19 years experience of designing and delivering training on domestic violence and partnership development across a wide range of statutory and community organisations. In her freelance training role she has developed national training programmes on the issue for police, magistrates and specialist domestic violence agencies.

She is passionate about building the skills, consistency and confidence of workers to respond safely and effectively to domestic violence in all its forms.

Sally Jackson, Partnership Manager, since 2011

Sally recently joined the joined the team, in November 2011, to manage the Hammersmith and Fulham Domestic Violence Partnership and to ensure delivery of the multi-agency Action Plan for the borough. 

Sally started her working life in nursing but moved in domestic abuse around 15 years ago. Based in Portsmouth she managed the local helpline and then the City Councils Domestic abuse services. This involved setting up the first health based IDVA service and one of the first IDVA/ISVA services.  Along with partners she developed the city’s Specialist Domestic Abuse Court and MARAC. She managed the city’s response to Violence against women and hate crime services and supported a very active DV Forum.

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Tanya Allen, Data and Research Officer, and SDVC Coordinator, since 2004

Tanya has worked for Standing Together for a number of years, having previously been a Crime Analyst for the Metropolitan Police Service, and worked in the private sector. She developed the data provision within the partnership and has conducted research on behalf of the organisation (see Completing the Jigsaw). More recently she has undertaken the role of the SDVC Coordinator.  

Venetia Boon, Children and Health Coordinator, since 2010

Venetia has been the Children and Health Coordinator since January 2010. Her role is to help improve the response to survivors of domestic violence accessing health services and children’s services.  She brings experience of having worked in the statutory sector (Children’s Services and the NHS), and as a coordinator in a voluntary sector partnership.

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Jessica Donnellan, Domestic Violence, Health and Maternity Coordinator, since 2011

Jessica joined the team in January 2011 to coordinate the Health & Maternity Project.  She brings experience of working in both local authority Children’s Services and specialist domestic violence services.

Elinor Crouch-Puzey, Domestic Violence and Housing Coordinator, since 2011

Eli joined the team in July 2011 to coordinate the Housing Project. She brings knowledge and experience of domestic violence from working in a women’s refuge. Prior to this Eli worked in Public Relations.

Shasca Foster, Finance Administrator, since 2005

Shasca joined Standing Together in 2005 and assists in all day to day areas of finance and fundraising. 

Jenny Bowes, Training and Project Officer, since 2006

Jenny brings her experience gained from working in events, publishing and marketing in the private sector to the training department at Standing Together, where she plans, manages and organises their domestic violence training courses.  Jenny joined Standing Together as a part-time administrator in 2006, following a career break to start a family, and her role has since expanded to include managing the training and several ongoing projects within the organisation. 

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Last Modified: 1st July 2011