Warrington Women's Aid Ltd

Warrington Women's Aid exists for the benefit of women and children experiencing physical, psychological, financial or sexual abuse in their relationship, or from threats of violence/abuse from such a person which are likely to be carried out.

It aims to provide a safe, secure environment in which women have time and space to reflect and become empowered to take responsibility for their own lives and that of their families, enabling them to become self-sufficient and contributing members of society.

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender  or sexuality. The abuse can encompass but is not limited to:

Psychological

Physical

Sexual

Financial

Emotional

Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/ or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victims.

This definition includes so called “honour” based violence, female genital mutilation and forced marriages, and it is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group.

The children's service provides a welcome pack and a tour around the refuge when a child comes in. A support plan is completed with the child and their mum, this identifies the child's hobbies, what they like and what they do not like. This is then built into their individual support plan which supports the children through their stay in the refuge and helps them deal with any issues which worry them caused by their move from their home and the domestic abuse they will have encountered.

Play sessions are run daily, 1 to 1 sessions are run to support children with additional issues, the helping hands course for children up to the age of 8 years and the protective behaviour course for children over 8. These courses give children the tools to keep themselves safe and to help them form healthy, non abusive relationships in the future.  We have trips out in the school holidays. 

The children's worker does 6 weeks outreach when the children move out of the refuge into their own homes.

www.thehideout.org.uk - a website for children and young people that has lots of help and ideas.