History of Haven Network and Chris Casey… 

1983 – Chris Casey founded the Waltham Forest Incest Survivors Group after finding there were no support services for survivors of abuse such as herself.

The organisation was run from the Waltham Forest Women’s Centre in Hoe Street, Walthamstow.

Incest was a taboo subject making it difficult to find sources of funding so Chris began fundraising herself, taking on additional jobs to finance the group.

1988 – Chris Casey’s work attracted the interest of Waltham Forest Council who soon recognised the value and need for this service in the community. The Council provided basic funding for the provision of counselling and support services.

1992 – The Waltham Forest Incest Survivors Group became a registered charity.

1999 – Seeing a need for support for survivors of rape and domestic abuse, the organisation decided to broaden the scope of its services. To reflect the development of the service the organisation was renamed Waltham Forest Haven.

2010 – Funding from Waltham Forest Council discontinued. The organisation changed its name to The Haven – The Survivors’ Network.

Chris Casey was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Life Changers for pioneering work.

2011 – Haven was awarded funding from central government.

Chris was awarded the 2011 Londoners Peace Award by the Mayor of London for an outstanding contribution to her community.

To help us continue to provide support to survivors of abuse, find out how you can support our work.

2015 – Haven’s name is amended to Haven – The Survivors of Abuse Network

2018 – Launched new website as Haven Network – For Survivors of Abuse

2019 – Coming Soon…