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Latest News

» Welsh Women's Aid Publishes Executive Summary of Annual Statistics Report 07/08

Welsh Women's Aid Annual Statistical Report 2007-2008 was launched on the 16th July 2008 at the National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff.

» Everyclick - Online Fundraising for Charities

Everyclick is an online resource that enables everyone to effectively engage in "online giving" to any UK charity.

» Support is available over the Christmas period

Press Notice 16th December 2008 Support is available over the Christmas period Over the festive period thousands of families will be coming together to celebrate Christmas, a time of peace and goodwill.

» WWA Calls for Photographs and Memorabilia from Local groups

To mark our 30th Anniversary, Welsh Women's Aid will be holding a series of events throughout 2009 to raise awareness of domestic abuse and the WWA movement.

» New drive to tackle domestic violence over Christmas period

A new enforcement campaign to protect and support victims of domestic violence over the Christmas period was launched today by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and the Association of Chief Police Officers' Brian Moore, alongside a new advertising campaign to highlight the hidden issue of domestic abuse.

» Calling all activists - take action for more VAW support services

More support for women who experience violence - your help needed Women who experience domestic or sexual violence, trafficking, forced marriage or other gender-based violence often have to travel miles to get support to help them flee the violence and rebuild their lives.

» QUALITY MARK FIRST FOR HELPLINE IN WALES

Press Notice 16th December 2008 QUALITY MARK FIRST FOR HELPLINE IN WALES The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline has recently been successful in gaining the Telephone Helpline Association Quality Mark Accreditation.

» WWA Campaign for a Violence Against Women Strategy for the Welsh Assembly Government

Welsh Women's Aid has been campaigning for a Violence Against Women Strategy for many years and recently we have written to all AMs, MPs and Councils Leaders in regards to the benefits of having a violence against women strategy.

» WWA Calls for Women to Share Their Stories

Would you be willing to share your story to help raise awareness of domestic abuse and the support that Welsh Women’s Aid and our member groups can offer to other women?If so, we’d like to hear from you.

» WWA Write to Chair of Communities and Culture Committee in response to 'Domestic Abuse in Wales' report

Further to Welsh Women's Aid's press release detailing our initial thoughts in regards to the Communities and Culture Committee report into Domestic Abuse, WWA have now provided a detailed response to the Chair of the inquriy, Janice Gregory, which can be found below.

» CPS Launch First Report of Pilot Study into "Honour" Violence and Forced Marriage

On 4 December 2008, the CPS published its recommendations and findings from an investigation it has conducted into Honour Based Violence and Forced Marriage in the UK.

» Vale of Glamorgan Women's Aid Christmas Appeal

At a time where many children are looking forward to getting piles of gifts under their Christmas trees, there are many children in refuge who won't be wondering what Santa is going to leave them under the tree.

» Shelter Cymru Launches Project to Raise Awareness of Rights in Rural Communities

Shelter Cymru is the leading housing and homelessness charity in Wales and works for the prevention of homelessness, the improvement of housing conditions, and the right of everyone to a safe, suitable and affordable home.

» The Right to Choose: Multi-agency Statutory Guidance for Dealing with Forced Marriage

In the first nine months of 2008 alone, more than 1,300 incidences of suspected forced marriage were reported to the Forced Marriage Unit.

» Women's Resource Centre Highlights Petition to Help Women with No Recourse to Public Funds

Many women come to the UK, often legally, in the hope of improving their lives.

» WWA Requests Information for NEW Newsletter

The new WWA newsletter went live on 25th November 2008, to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (White Ribbon Day).

» Pembrokehsire Domestic Abuse Forum Christmas Campaign

At the time of year most linked with peace and goodwill, many women and children across Wales will be experiencing domestic abuse (WWA 2007).

» Bridgend Women's Aid hold Christmas Coffee Morning For All

Bridgend Women's Aid will be holding a Christmas Coffee Morning in their Office.

» Women's Institute Launches No More Violence Against Women Campaign

Three million women across the UK experience rape, domestic violence, forced marriage, sexual exploitation or another form of violence each year.

» Communities and Cultures Committee Launch Results of Inquiry into Domestic Abuse in Wales - WWA Press Release

Press Notice 3rd December 2008 Children Matter Welsh Women’s Aid (WWA) welcomes the National Assembly for Wales Communities and Cultures Committee recommendations published today, particularly those which highlighted the need for secure funding for specialist workers to support children and young people experiencing domestic abuse.

» Amnesty Events Mark International Human Rights Day and Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

JOIN THE PARTY ON 10TH DECEMBER · International Human Rights Day · 60th Anniversary Of The Universal Human Rights Declaration To mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on 10 December, Amnesty International and its members around the world will be holding events and taking action.

» WWA Chief Executive, Paula Hardy, speaks in the Senedd on International Day for Elimination of violence against women

Paula Hardy joined the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government Dr.

» 'More than 5 million send their governments a message about violence against women'

The United Nations announced yesterday that more than 5millon people worldwide have sent a "clear and unequivocal" message to their governments and asked them to take action to stop the cycle of violence against women and girls around the world.

» BIG LOTTERY Debates come to Wales

Communities across Wales are being urged to participate in the debate on how Big Lottery Fund money should be spent over the next 6 years (2009-2015).

» Neath WA AGM

Annual General Meeting Neath Town Hall, Church Place, Neath SA11 3LL Monday 8th December - Arrivals 5.

» Black Women's Rape Action Project Petitions UK Government to provide protection to women seeking asylum from rape & other sexual torture

For more information, contact BWRAP@dircon.

» Two Events in Merthry Raise Awareness of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women/White Ribbon Day

130 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (UNICEF).

» Channel 4 Show Calls for Women to Talk About their Involvement in the Women's Liberation Movement of the 1970s.

BLAST Films and Channel 4 are currently producing a major series examiningfive seminal moments from the Queen's reign.

» Glyndwr Women's Aid AGM

GLYNDWR WOMEN’S AID, AGM 11th DECEMBER 2008 AT BROOKHOUSE MILL, 11AM – 1PM You are invited to join us for our Annual General Meeting which will be held on Thursday 11th December 2008 at 11am.

» Info Nation Swansea Hold White Ribbon Event Aimed at Raising Awareness for Young People

Info-Nation is Swansea's one-stop shop for information advice and support for young people, aged 11 to 25.

Legal Protection

THE PROTECTION FROM HARASSMENT ACT 1997.

If you are not eligible to apply for an order under the Family law Act because you are not seen as an ‘associated person’, you can bring an action under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. This Act means that if you are being harassed, threatened, pestered or stalked after a short relationship has ended or if you have no children and did not live with the abuser you can get a criminal injunction. This Act covers both criminal and civil offences and contains both criminal and civil remedies for domestic abuse.

Criminal
Under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 it is a criminal offence to;

Cause harassment, alarm or distress by a course of conduct - on more than one occasion and conduct can include speech.
Cause fear of violence - on at least two occasions.

Civil
The Protection from Harassment Act also includes a civil measure to deal with harassment. This civil injunction provides an alternative means of protection, and the right to compensation, where the criminal sanction is not available. For instance, if there was not sufficient evidence to satisfy the criminal standard of proof or because the evidence indicates an offence will be committed if the defendant is not restrained by an injunction.

Remedies
Under the Act the Court can order a ‘restraining order’. A ‘restraining order’ is an order which prohibits the defendent from doing certain things for a certain period of time. For instance, the court may order the defendant never to contact or attempt to contact you again or it could order him not to enter a particular road or area. Restraining orders can be obtained via the civil or criminal court.

Under the Protection from Harassment Act a breach of such a restraining order is a criminal offence, punishable in the magistrate’s court with up to 6 months imprisonment and/ or over £5000 in fine, or in the crown court with up to 5 years imprisonment. In addition to the criminal sanctions, the civil court can award compensation/damages to you for the harassment.

The recent Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 allows the court to make a restraining order where the defendant is charged with an offence, when he is pending trial, when sentencing for any offence or when he is not convicted but the court consider that it is necessary to make an order to protect you from harassment.

The court will make a restraining order when there is sufficient evidence of harassment and that it is necessary to protect you from that risk of harassment in the future.

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