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The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions do not justify abuse.
We have seen an exposure of domestic and sexual abuse during the pandemic, but it was at epidemic levels before. We know that domestic homicide is not an inevitable result of the current restrictions, but is a result of male violence against women and perpetrators must be held to account. Between 2009-2018, The Femicide Census recorded 1,425 women murdered by men in the UK, with…
Read moreWomen of Covid Campaign Apology
Welsh Women’s Aid would like to thank Women Connect First and all who have responded for taking the time to rightly point out this fundamental issue with the Women of Covid 19 list. It is not the responsibility of women of colour to educate white women on racism and exclusion- this is entirely on us,…
Read moreCreating Change that Lasts: Responding to VAWDASV following the COVID-19 Pandemic Roundtable
Alongside the Covid 19 pandemic runs a shadow pandemic[1] of violence against women and girls. During the lockdown period, contact with Wales’ national helpline Live Fear Free rose by up to 49%, call time trebled with those making contact often reporting more frequent abuse with shorter escalation periods. Visits to the Live Fear Free website…
Read moreCOVID-19 Guidance and Advice for Survivors and Support Networks
Together with over 25 other organisations across the UK, we have created an accessible safety and wellbeing resource for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and other forms of gender based violence. The resource outlines some key numbers, contacts and spaces for support. Remember that you are an expert in your own situation and only…
Read moreWelsh Women’s Aid stresses urgent need for funding for support services due to COVID-19
Today, we have publicly released our letter to Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt stating that we are deeply concerned that despite previous correspondence with Welsh Government, there has been no ringfenced emergency funding provided to specialist support services to meet the needs of the COVID-19 pandemic. Services providing violence against women, domestic abuse and…
Read moreCOVID 19 Bystander Toolkit
Self-isolation and social distancing may increase violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence and have an impact on survivors’ safety and support networks. Now more than ever, it is vital that we understand violence and abuse and support the needs of survivors. Community response and social solidarity is even more vital in tackling violence…
Read moreCOVID-19 Guidance for Perpetrator Services: Key points for practitioners
The safety of survivors and their children are the purpose of perpetrator programmes. Welsh Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for services for perpetrators of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence has been produced to enable that. Placing an emphasis on safeguarding, this guidance exists to support practitioners to continue delivering vital services throughout these…
Read moreStatement on the use of hotels & B&Bs to supplement refuge space during the COVID 19 pandemic
Early evidence from China, as well as learning from other global pandemics, shows potential increases in Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV)[1]. This comes at a time when specialist services are also under significant strain due to staff shortages and having to adapt services to ensure they can be provided in a…
Read moreResponding to Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence during the COVID 19 Pandemic
Updated 02 April 2020 Introduction Specialist services have been taking action in light of the current and developing situation with COVID 19 and violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV). Welsh Women’s Aid continues to consult with our membership to ensure we’re responding to the consistently evolving situation, and that specialist services will…
Read moreCoronavirus/COVID-19 Update
This page was last updated on 1 July 2020 In light of the current and developing situation with Coronavirus, violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV) services are taking action to continue to provide the lifesaving and lifechanging support to those who need it in Wales as well as protecting survivors and staff…
Read moreOur concerns following the verdict on the killing of Ruth Williams
Many people have expressed their shock by the leniency in the case of the killing of Ruth Williams by her husband. Within the media reporting from court there has been misrepresentation of domestic abuse. Focusing on physical and verbal abuse, not recognising that domestic abuse is a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour in which one person exerts power over another through…
Read moreAsk Me Face to Face Training
Our face to face Ask Me course is a 12 – 14 hour course usually delivered over 2 days in a group setting. Currently all of our face to face training is paused due to COVID-19 and we have no upcoming dates planned. If you are keen to take part, please have a look at…
Read moreSupport still available for survivors throughout lockdown
This festive season, Welsh Women’s Aid want survivors and their loved ones to know that help and support are available whenever they need it. With a lockdown brought in across Wales at midnight on December 20th, there will be less opportunities to meet with friends and family this Christmas and the amount of time spent…
Read moreLockdown resources – support is available 24/7 over Christmas and New Year
Over the Christmas period and into the New Year there are going to be changes in Wales to the COVID-19 guidance. The Live Fear Free Helpline (0808 80 10 800) will be available 24/7 for anyone who is concerned about their own situation, or the situation of a neighbour, friend, or family member. We are…
Read moreTime to Act on Sustainability- Welsh Women’s Aid State of the Sector 2020
It’s Time to Act on Sustainability This year’s State of the Sector report, Time to Act on Sustainability, focuses on the practicalities and necessity of delivering Welsh Government’s commitment to developing a model of sustainable funding for the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Sector. It demonstrates the case for sustainable funding for specialist services,…
Read moreThe Mirabal Sisters- a History of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Today is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women begins the 16 Days of Activism, which ends on December 10th with Human Rights Day. During these 16 days, people all over the world unite to raise awareness and campaign about ending gender-based violence, The…
Read moreSurvey launched into sexual harassment in the workplace
Welsh Women’s Aid is launching its biggest campaign to-date to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace, and we want to hear from as many people across Wales as possible. Our survey aims to gather insight on sexual harassment and how Covid-19 has impacted women’s experiences of this in the workplace. You can access the survey…
Read moreChildren and Young People Support Campaign Toolkit
Introduction Prior to Covid-19 Welsh Women’s Aid conducted research on the specialist services available across Wales to children and young people who have experienced all forms of abuse and found a sector significantly under-resourced against the need. Since March 2020 that situation has only been exacerbated, as specialist services employ increasingly creative methods to engage…
Read more16 Days of Activism 2020
This year, the theme is Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a time to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls around the world. It begins on November 25th with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10th with…
Read moreWales Circuit Breaker Lockdown
The Welsh Government have today announced that a circuit breaker lockdown will be brought in for Wales from 6pm on Friday 23rd October 2020. A circuit breaker involves bringing in a series of restrictive measures from Friday 23rd October until Monday 9th November, to try to regain control over the growing numbers of Covid-19 cases…
Read moreSign up for our National Conference. This will be a collaborative learning opportunity for strategic public sector leaders & the VAWDASV sector. Chaired by the National Advisors for VAWDASV, with a message from @fmwales bit.ly/37q1EVn #PreventingVAWDASV pic.twitter.com/ujiXGJNjKF