Women’s Aid Joins Back Britain’s Charities Campaign!

The Back Britain’s Charities campaign is delighted to announce that anti-domestic violence charity Women’s Aid has signed up to add their support to the campaign.

Women’s Aid is a fantastic organisation that supports over 300 local domestic violence services across the country. Women’s Aid Annual Survey 2013 of around 200 domestic violence services in England found that in 2012/13 these organisations supported nearly 117,000 women and children through refuge accommodation and outreach support. This includes nearly 10,000 women and over 10,000 children in refuge, and nearly 83,000 women and 14,000 children in outreach services.  The first Women’s Aid federation was established 40 years ago, and formed in the aftermath of issues such as violence in the home and other forms of sexual and interpersonal violence to women being highlighted.

The charity aims to empower women who have been affected by domestic violence, meet the needs of children who have suffered as a result of domestic violence, provide specialised services run by women based upon listening to survivors, and promote cohesive inter-agency responses to domestic violence.

As a testament to their excellent work, Women’s Aid has received the support of high-profile figures such as Patrons Julie Walters CBE, and Dame Jenni Murray, as well as Ambassador’s including Will Young, Charlie Webster and Jahmene Douglas.

Explaining their support for the Back Britain’s Charities campaign, Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid said:

“Women’s Aid Federation of England supports the Back Britain’s Charities campaign because it highlights many of the key issues charities are struggling with in some of the most difficult times the sector has ever faced. As a national membership organisation, the network of local specialist domestic violence organisations across England depends on Women’s Aid to talk to government, decision makers and the public about the serious financial issues and spiralling demand for services that are affecting our members, most of whom lack the capacity to engage in publicity, fundraising and tendering for public funds. We are therefore acutely aware of both the local and national challenges charities face, and the need to highlight to local agencies, Government, individuals and businesses the importance of supporting local domestic violence charities who in turn support many of the 1.2 million women and thousands of children who experience domestic violence every year.”

We’re delighted to receive the support of Women’s Aid. We know that many charities across Britain are struggling, with people finding it difficult to give during the tough economic climate, but it’s vital that people from all walks of life do what they can to support charities. Because, as the work of Women’s Aid demonstrates, it is vital that beneficiaries of charities across Britain have somewhere to turn for support. The most vulnerable people in society often rely on the support of charities, and unless we act now to support the sector, there is a real danger that they will have nowhere to go for help. That’s why we all need to pull together and Back Britain’s Charities!