History
Although the economic recession in the 1980s hit Welsh Women’s Aid and the groups particularly hard, the refuge service expanded rapidly in Wales. This was the period of transformation from purely voluntary to mainly paid work in order to better manage Women’s Aid refuges. Access to and levels of funding for refuges varied considerably with the termination of the Urban Aid Programme. Local authorities reluctantly took on full funding of refuges in the face of other financial priorities. Additionally, there was no rural fund equivalent, and thus, refuge services in rural Wales suffered.
By the end of the decade Welsh Women’s Aid described the serious state of affairs simply as "a desperate scramble for cash to keep going".
In the spring of 1989, a Home Office review stated:
"One of the main problems experienced by the refuge movement is both the inadequacy and uncertainty of funding".
In spite of the recognition of the value of the unique service provided by Women’s Aid, the increased demand for refuge and support could not be met in the 1980s. Many women were forced to accept their dire situation as the chances of obtaining decent alternative housing, an adequate income and legal protection were slim.
In a background paper to the debate, the Welsh Office said:
" This relatively new and rapidly developing service has been, perhaps, enabled by being largely a voluntary and volunteer effort. It has had the flexibility to change and develop as ideas have developed and to create a "grass roots" ethos perhaps impossible to achieve in other ways. There is no doubt that the development of refuges and support systems for battered women and their families has met a need strongly felt but largely unmet for many years previously"
[Welsh Office Seminar on Domestic Violence in Wales, December 1983]
To address the problem of inadequate and unsuitable refuge provision, the growing trend of the 1990s was the development of refuges through partnerships with housing associations rather than local authorities.
Welsh Women’s Aid continued to engage with key organisations in Wales to promote a common definition and understanding of the cause and effects of domestic abuse. This has assisted in the recognition of the interaction and the interdependence between housing and other issues, such as health, education, social needs, state benefits and, social inclusion in relation to domestic violence and abuse.
Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004, has brought about an increased emphasis on multi-agency working between the police and other statutory agencies.
Welsh Women’s Aid is recognised by key statutory agencies as a children’s organisation because it provides specialised services to address the specific needs and particular problems faced by children as a result of family breakdown due to violence and abuse.
Welsh Women’s Aid has grown from a cluster of the ‘grass roots’ pioneering Women’s Aid groups of the 1970s to a leading national provider of domestic abuse services delivered through its 35 local Women’s Aid groups.
The changing demands of women meant that the work environment required adapting and in 2004 Welsh Women's Aid became a hierarchy. It remains true to its original aims and ethos to 'empower women to take control of their own lives'.
Welsh Women's Aid will be celebrating it's 30th birthday in 2008.
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The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline is a confidential, freephone support and information service for anyone experiencing domestic abuse or wanting more information on available support services. Open 24 hours. Click on the logo for more information