New project helps Welsh women and children fight the isolation of domestic abuse

Members Login |
Cymraeg

Latest News

» The Bridge Project comes to Lliw Valley, thanks to the Big Lottery Fund

Women affected by domestic abuse living in the Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Powys and Carmarthenshire are set to benefit from a major windfall from the Big Lottery Fund Stepping Stones programme.

» First Anniversary of Helpline Sees a Sharp Increase in Calls

THE number of calls made to the all Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline has increased significantly since it became a 24-hour service a year ago.

» Domestic Abuse at Christmas Time

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

» New project helps Welsh women and children fight the isolation of domestic abuse

Help is at hand for women and children fleeing domestic abuse but desperate to keep in touch with loved ones.

» Comment on the Wendy Ellis verdict by Welsh Women's Aid

A spokeswoman from Welsh Women’s Aid said, "As an organisation, we are against violence in relationships, whatever form the violence manifests itself in.

» Welsh Women’s Aid welcomes renewed commitment to tackle Domestic Abuse

The 9th October 2007 saw the Government committing to reducing the number of women affected by domestic abuse, in particular, those most at risk of being killed or seriously injured by their partners.

» Has Women’s Aid helped you leave an abusive partner?

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

New project helps Welsh women and children fight the isolation of domestic abuse

17 Dec 2007

Help is at hand for women and children fleeing domestic abuse but desperate to keep in touch with loved ones.

Welsh Women’s Aid who represent just over fifty refuges in Wales have identified that nearly half have no access to phone lines, computers or broadband connections, which can leave victims feeling isolated.

Now a new project supported by BT aims to even the score by providing internet access at those refuges currently without this vital access to the outside world.

Between April 2006 and March 2007, 1180 women and 1001 children passed through refuges ran by the 34 Women's Aid groups in Wales.

Elen Pierce, director of Welsh Women’s Aid, said: "Women who come into a refuge have often had to leave their local area and may have very limited resources with them.

"Access to the internet, particularly for the children involved, can be a real lifeline, helping them to keep in touch with friends and family, searching for information to help with homework and finding out what facilities and job opportunities exist in the local area."

Ann Beynon, BT director Wales, added: "With children occupying nearly half of refuge space in Wales, the educational opportunities afforded by computers and online learning is vital for those fleeing domestic abuse to allow them to lead as normal a life as possible.

"Research shows that this kind of abuse affects one in four women during their lifetime, regardless of their age, social class, race, disability or lifestyle and we believe our support will give hope to those women and children when they are at their most vulnerable."

Welsh statistics indicate that 36 per cent of children in refuge are aged between five and eleven, while eight per cent are on the at risk register.

Welsh Women’s Aid is the national umbrella organisation representing local groups in Wales. Their 34 member groups provide direct support in the community and in refuge to thousands of women and children suffering domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse can occur in heterosexual, gay and lesbian relationships. Even though less than half of all incidents are reported, in the UK the police still receive one call every minute about domestic abuse.