07:30, 12 July 2024
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
This year Women's Aid Federation England turns 50 and with that we want to give a look back at the positive legislative and cultural change they have led for the past half a century. Women’s Aid is made up of 4 federations: one for each country of the United Kingdom, and as a whole they continually battle to end domestic violence against women and children.
Smiley News had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Lisa Johnson, Head of Services at Women's Aid Federation of England about their history, the upcoming annual conference and collaboration in ending domestic violence.
Women's Aid has taken the lead in implementing crucial initiatives to support survivors of domestic violence. This includes establishing shelters and refuges to provide a safe space for women and children escaping abusive situations. Additionally, they offer counselling and emotional support services to assist survivors in their journey towards healing and rebuilding their lives. Through their advocacy work, Women's Aid has played a pivotal role in pushing for policy changes that enhance legal protections for victims of domestic violence, ultimately creating a safer environment for those impacted.
Moreover, Women's Aid has actively raised awareness about the prevalence and consequences of domestic abuse through educational campaigns and outreach programs. They provide training and educational resources to empower communities in identifying and addressing domestic violence effectively. Collaborating with various organisations, Women's Aid has constructed a strong support network to deliver comprehensive assistance to survivors of abuse. The federation is made up of approximately 180 organisations that provide 300 local life saving services to women and children across England. Their lobbying endeavours to secure resources and funding have been crucial in maintaining critical services and expanding their outreach to cater to a larger number of individuals in need.
One of Women’s Aid’s most noticeable achievements is their significant contribution to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. When the UK government announced that they were going to make legislative changes dedicated to domestic abuse, Women’s Aid member services and survivors alike shared their points on what should be included in the new law.
Lisa said: “ There's been a lot of change since 1974. However, the reality for countless women and children today, there's just so much work that still needs to be done.”
The Women’s Aid National Conference, also called The Festival of Women’s Aid this year to make their birthday, is a pivotal moment in their mission to #EndAbuseTogether. The event unites member organisations, survivors and influential voices to collaborate, discuss and work together towards ending domestic violence. Despite 50 years of progress being made, the reality of abuse persists, so for their 2024 conference, there is specific focus on collective action.
When asked about the impact of the conference, Lisa went on to say: “The national conference is a landmark event with the domestic abuse sector, and it unites all of our member services with a wide range of leading voices from the domestic abuse sector and beyond the sector.
“I suppose it promotes a feeling of sisterhood, celebrating our achievements. There's no doubt that working in this sector can be incredibly difficult as well as incredibly rewarding. So you kind of come back feeling a bit more energised. And also there's this kind of feeling of one voice and one movement.”
As it is still football season, we would like to bring awareness to two campaigns run by Women’s Aid. In 2022, Women's Aid's "He's Coming Home" campaign focused on raising awareness about the heightened risks of domestic violence during the World Cup and the festive period. While football itself does not cause domestic violence according to Women’s Aid’s website: “factors such as increased alcohol consumption and the high levels of emotion associated with big matches can cause existing domestic abuse to increase in frequency and severity.”
This campaign was built upon in time for the 2024 Euros, with the ‘No More Years of Hurt’ which specifically brought the conversation to sports fans with ads that coincided with England games from the 20th June. This campaign highlighted research by Lancaster University that showed cases of domestic abuse increased by 38% when England lost a match and 26% when they won or drew.
By shedding light on this issue, the campaign sought to empower victims and communities to take action and ensure their safety during vulnerable times.
To learn more about the work of Women’s Aid or access their support and services, head over to their website here: womensaid.org.uk.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Forgotten Women. This is a charity run by women for women, a charity dedicated to helping women in crisis and emergencies. Find out more.
Young Women’s Trust. This is a feminist organisation working to achieve economic justice for young women. Find out more here.
Imkaan. This charity advocates against violence targeting black and minority ethnic (BME) women and girls across local, national, and global platforms. Support them here.
