As we come to a close on another year here at SLDAS, I wanted to take time to thank all of our volunteers, staff and partners who enable us to deliver this much needed vital service to women and girls in South Liverpool.
Last year we supported over 1,300 women. Women who are living in fear from the people that they should feel the safest with.
The crime survey for England and Wales, carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), estimated 1.6 million women aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in the latest 12-month period.
Domestic abuse is a national emergency that we can’t ignore. Here at SLDAS we offer a range of free services for women and girls who find themselves victims of some form of domestic abuse.
From our free helplines through to specialist young person support services, we are an open door for anyone who needs us. If we can’t help, we will always find someone who can.
To deliver this range of free services we need to find funding and I’m delighted that with the help of our trustees we have been successful in receiving funding from Safe Accommodation, The National Lottery, Lloyd’s Bank, Ellie’s Trust, MOJ/PCC, PH Holt, City Safe and CRG.
But we’re not just a helpline. In 2024 we delivered hours of training to our community. From creating awareness at businesses like Barclays to our own volunteers, social work students and student nurses. We’ve provided an insight into the different forms of domestic abuse and how to signpost women and girls to get help.
Violence against women and girls includes domestic abuse, stalking, harassment, coercive control, tech abuse, honour-based abuse and harmful practices and other forms of violence.
We also gave back to our community through a series of events. We took part in Pride Liverpool, held a Modern Slavery event, held yoga and meditation sessions for our clients, celebrated International Women’s Day at our centre, started a drop-in at South Liverpool Housing Trust, held a white ribbon event at St. Julie’s School and recently held a Christmas coffee morning here in Garston.
However, the two biggest events of the year were #EVAWAG – 10 days of activism against violence towards women and girls and our 25th year celebration event. Both of these events were attended by community leaders including Merseyside’s PCC and the Lord Mayor.
The holidays can often trigger domestic abuse due to extra family or financial pressures and increased use of alcohol or drugs. The festive season shouldn’t be something to fear, and we all have a duty to keep our women and girls safe whether at home or out and about celebrating. If you witness something that doesn’t look right then please act, speak to a member of staff or call 111 if you are concerned.
I hope you all have a safe and peaceful holiday and thank you again for your support in 2024 and please contact us to see how you could help to make a difference in 2025!
Rebecca x
