About Ahimsa
Who we are
Ahimsa is a Respect-accredited charity that has been working to end domestic abuse since 1990. We began as the Everyman Centre — one of the first services in the country to work with men causing harm in relationships — and have been known as Ahimsa for over two decades.
Our name comes from the ancient Sanskrit principle of non-violence — the commitment to non-harm, through words or actions, towards all living beings. This principle reflects our values and our vision for relationships built on respect rather than harm.
Based in Plymouth, we work with people who come to us from across Devon and Cornwall. We have a track record of partnership working across the South West and are committed to growing our regional reach.
We are one of the most established specialist providers of domestic abuse behaviour change work in the region, working with those causing harm across the full risk spectrum — from specialist preventative work with young people, to standard and medium-risk cases through to the most complex, high-risk, high-harm situations.
Our integrated model
What makes Ahimsa distinctive is our integrated model. When someone joins our programme, our dedicated Integrated Partner Service team simultaneously reaches out to support their (ex)partner or family members. Those two teams work in close communication - sharing what they need to in order to manage risk and build a full picture of what's happening - but what each person shares with their own worker is kept confidential from the other.
This approach creates accountability and keeps people safer in a way that working with those causing harm in isolation cannot. It also means we work with young people aged 16–25 displaying harmful behaviour through our Youth Service - a genuinely preventative strand of our work, recognising that healthy relationship patterns can be built before they become entrenched.
We have developed a unique approach aimed at opening hearts as well as minds, so that change is rooted in a responsible and loving attitude — not just a change in behaviour, but a deeper shift in how people relate to themselves and those around them.
Compassion & accountability
Abuse is a choice. We hold people fully accountable for their behaviour and its impact — and we do that with humanity, honesty and respect. Our work focuses on the present: on identity, emotional regulation, and the capacity to relate differently. Compassion and accountability are not in conflict. Both are essential to real change.
Our values
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Embodied Mindfulness
We bring presence and awareness to our practice. Real change happens through conscious attention to ourselves and our patterns.
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Responsibility
We hold ourselves and others accountable. Those who cause harm must take responsibility for their behaviour and its impact.
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Emotional Vulnerability and Sensitivity
We create space for difficult emotions and honest reflection — essential for genuine behaviour change.
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Love and Empathy
We approach people with humanity while never excusing harmful behaviour. Accountability and compassion can coexist.
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Creativity
We meet people where they are and adapt our approach to create meaningful pathways to change.
Our people
Ahimsa is a small organisation of around 20 people, many of whom have worked in this field for years - some for decades. We are a predominantly survivor-led organisation. Many in our team bring personal lived experience of domestic abuse alongside deep professional expertise in trauma, therapeutic practice, and behaviour change.
We are a trauma-informed organisation. We apply the same values of curiosity, mindfulness, and compassion to how we care for our team as we do to our work with clients. We invest in professional development, provide reflective supervision, and work hard to create the conditions for good, sustainable practice.
Our place in the wider sector
Ahimsa is part of the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector — not separate from or opposed to it. We work collaboratively with IDVAs, refuges, victim services, and other specialist providers, sharing information and coordinating on safety planning. Behaviour change work is one essential part of the coordinated community response to domestic abuse — holding perpetrators accountable while protecting current victims and preventing future harm.
Our Respect accreditation demonstrates our commitment to evidence-based, safety-first practice with regular external oversight.
Registered charity
Ahimsa is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 328598) and a company limited by guarantee (No. 2455838).
If you'd like to find out more about our services or get in touch, we'd love to hear from you.
Call Us
01752 213535
Not sure if Ahimsa is right for you? Call us and we'll talk it through — whatever brings you here.
