Webwell - Sandwell Women's Aid

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Domestic Violence / Sexual Abuse

Sandwell Women's Aid

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Sandwell Women’s Aid provides services to women experiencing domestic violence. We are a registered charity providing support services and emergency accommodation to women since 1985. The support and facilities are recognised as one of the most leading within the Sandwell borough.

Domestic violence is one of the most common forms of crime in our society today.

1 in 4 women experience domestic violence
Domestic violence offences comprise around 25% of all assaults recorded by the police
Women aged 16 - 29 are at the greatest risk of experiencing domestic violence
90% of children are in the same or the next room when violence is taking place
70% of women in refuges say their partners have also been physically violent to their children

There is no single definition for the term domestic violence, but it can usually be defined to include any form of psychological, emotional, economical, physical or sexual abuse carried out in a relationship involving a partner or spouse. Any women regardless of age, class, ability, race, religion or sexuality can experience domestic violence.

Sandwell Women's Aid have a range of external services to reach women and promote agency partnerships to create a network of support.

Confidential one to one meetings
Counselling
Specialist Asian Women support services
Joint working and partnerships with agencies through community development
Training and awareness programmes
Volunteering programmes
Empowering women programmes and support groups
24 hour helpline for advice and referrals
Emergency accommodation

Domestic violence can affect a woman and her children in many ways. A woman may become depressed, lose self confidence and find that her health and well-being is being affected. Sandwell Women's Aid provide a range of specialist activities and programmes to encourage women in self development and opportunities for change.

Emergency Accommodation

Our refuge is considerate of women with children, single women and those who may need wheelchair access. Within the refuge the support services are diverse and practical with emphasis on empowering the woman to make change, recognise her choices, recognise her choices and plan for their future.

This is encouraged through:

Advice, information and practical help (with the availability of the Asian specialist service)
Counselling
Advocacy and Befriending
Confidentiality and cultural sensitivity
Links with Housing and Legal Advice services
Training and Guidance opportunities
Alternative and complementary therapies
Specialist Family support service
Resettlement and aftercare service

How can you help?

All organisations and service providers who may have direct/indirect contact with women experiencing domestic violence should be knowledgeable of some simple steps in providing direction for getting help.

Women and their children experiencing domestic violence are reliant upon a multi agency approach to prevent this issue from becoming unnoticed. Statistically research has found that a woman will approach between 5 to 12 agencies for help before she receives a sympathetic response. Sandwell Women's Aid encourages agencies to be aware of the issue and impact and thier responsibilities in dealing with domestic violence.

Making a referral

Referrals can be made via an agency or directly by a woman. Details of the woman/family will be taken with a brief overview of her situtation, support needs and possible agency involvement.

Useful advice

To be able to provide help in a domestic violence situation it is useful to know and advise the woman to :

Contact the police if they feel at risk of danger
Provide the woman with contact details of support available, this may help the woman make an informed decision about her life
Make as many preparations as possible if the woman intends to leave the home, like remembering to take documents such as passports, birth certificates, benefit documents, money and bank details if she intends to leave home.
Inform the woman to gather as much evidence as possible about the abuse and the abuser as this will support any prosecution.