Scottish Women's Aid Blog
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Scottish Women's Aid is the lead organization in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse. We play a vital role in coordinating, influencing, and campaigning for effective responses to domestic abuse. We work with a network of 34 specialists local Women's Aid groups toward a shared vision of a Scotland where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
Scottish Women's Aid Blog
1w ago
This month marks two years since Scottish Women’s Aid’s Survivor Reference Group (SRG) began its inspiration and impactful work.
The group works to create a vital space for those with experience of domestic abuse to encourage policy and wider societal changes.
We can think of no better way to celebrate this milestone than to shine a light on some of the incredible progress made by one of the SRG’s members, Vicki.
As highlighted in the media this week, Vicki has continued to turn her personal pain into power, pushing for the development of workplace policies and practices to help make women saf ..read more
Scottish Women's Aid Blog
3M ago
For Them All poem marking the end of 16 Days of Activism 2023
Written by members of the Survivor Reference Group at Scottish Women’s Aid
Extended version
For the women who we knew and loved
For the children that never got the chance to play nosily and without fear
For my friend, who loved to sing
For my auntie, who gave the best advice
For all the women who’ve had to walk on eggshells
For all the families that were torn apart by a man’s violent actions
For the young woman who dreamed of being a teacher
For the old ..read more
Scottish Women's Aid Blog
6M ago
Got 10 seconds? Text us.
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline exists for anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse or forced marriage. But we know not everyone is safe to call us by phone. That’s why we’re adding a text chat service to our line-up of ways you can reach out to us.
Originally, the Helpline was available by phone or email. In 2020, we added our web chat service, which reaches 300 people every month – that’s over a quarter of the people who contact us. Not being overheard is a major reason people reach out by web chat. But because w ..read more
Scottish Women's Aid Blog
10M ago
This poem was written by a member of the SWA staff team after a woman was jailed for 28 months after using abortion pills to end her own pregnancy. Abortion is healthcare, and we need urgent reform so that women can freely access the choices that are safest for them.
You’re outraged?
I’m enraged.
When will our bodies be our own without the interference of others hands, thoughts and rules?
Consumed with this fury I want to climb to the roof and scream until I feel my vocal cords pop
I want to rally my sisters
To scream together, cry, roar, brandish our teeth
You think you know female rage? You ..read more
Scottish Women's Aid Blog
1y ago
How many times have you read about a ‘spurned’ or ‘jilted’ lover in a newspaper headline about domestic abuse?
The answer is probably many times – maybe even too many to count.
It may be a commonly used phrase but that doesn’t change the fact that it is one which has absolutely no place in responsible reporting of violence against women.
It’s a loaded term, which minimises the behaviour of the perpetrator and attributes blame on the victim.
The many myths and misconceptions that we see in the portrayal of domestic abuse in across our media can n ..read more
Scottish Women's Aid Blog
1y ago
This blog post was written by a worker at Monklands Women’s Aid. Names and specifics have been changed to preserve anonymity. Monklands Women’s Aid has provided expert support to women and children experiencing domestic abuse for over 40 years. Their trusted relationship with the local community, as well as the sensitive, specialist approach their staff take, means they can provide person-centered holistic services to women and children, underpinned by a feminist analysis of domestic abuse.
CW: This post talks about domestic abuse and the impact of this on women and children. Please rea ..read more
Scottish Women's Aid Blog
1y ago
Blog post by an anonymous member of our Survivor Group. We thank her for sharing her experiences here.
Content warning: domestic abuse, coercive control. Please read with care and note the support available at the bottom of this post.
Throughout the year, from Valentine’s Day to Christmas and every ‘special’ occasion in between, we are brainwashed by the world of advertising into believing that we should feel bad if we don’t have a partner. I can remember from an early age thinking I was inadequate because I didn’t get an oversized card through my letter box on Valentine’s Day (in my teens, th ..read more
Scottish Women's Aid Blog
1y ago
By Sue McKellar, Participation Lead at Scottish Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid was built on participation, right from the first refuge space being made because a woman experiencing abuse said she needed to be in a safe place. The only difference between then and now is then we didn’t call it participation, it’s just what we did. We knew instinctively it made sense to ask those who needed help, what kind of help was best for them.
When I was a refuge worker and a new family moved into the space, I would never go shopping for new toys or household items without asking them what they needed first. And y ..read more
Scottish Women's Aid Blog
1y ago
“Everyone should be aware of this, everyone can help.”
The knowledge that we can all play an important role in challenging inequality, discrimination and oppression is at the core of what the Equally Safe in Practice (ESiP) project aims to achieve; individual understanding and collective awareness that working towards gender equality, safety and wellbeing is everyone’s business, and a national priority.
Since summer 2021, ESiP has been working with eight local councils across Scotland to pilot and test the core modules of a national learning framework. As we approach the final few month ..read more
Scottish Women's Aid Blog
1y ago
Scottish Women’s Aid’s campaign for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2022 is looking at the many costs that women face – emotional, financial and otherwise – if they leave abusers. This poem is by an anonymous member of our Survivor Group who has contributed as part of that campaign. We thank her for her contribution.
Content warning: domestic abuse, emotional turmoil. Read with care.
—
I Grieve For That Girl
It’s been so long
I can’t remember
What
I ever looked like before
Blonde, red, brunette or
Long, short, with bangs
Somewhere in the midst of it
Blows from ugly han ..read more