Domestic violence in Sefton

by Traci Morrissey and Emma Davies

They interviewed Karen Gray who is a Training Development Officer for SWACA.
SWACA is an organisation that helps victims of domestic violence. When SWACA first started it organised refuges for women to stay in, but over the years SWACA realised that women had many different needs so it started to put together other services.

SWACA has three safe houses in the Borough of Sefton that provide women with temporary accommodation and it also has three advice centres which are the first point of contact for women. It offers practical advice on housing issues and supports women in finding out information. It also offers long and short term counselling - this is about helping women come to terms with what they have been through. SWACA has two outreach workers who go to visit women in their homes when they are unable to go to the advice centres themselves.

They will support women when they are rebuilding their homes, moving to another community or coming to terms with living on their own again. They will also support women when going to court or pressing charges.

SWACA also has two self help groups which are situated at either end of the Borough. These are facilitated by the outreach workers but are run by the women themselves. The women in the centres have all experienced violence and so can give each other confidence.

Training Development offers training packages to organisations who wish to raise their awareness about domestic violence. Karen’s job is to make people realise that domestic violence happens to approximately 1 in 5 women. Many children suffer the consequences of this violence. Domestic violence should never be hidden, it affects just about every aspect of life - health, living conditions, social life and also children’s education.

There is no age limit for women who want to contact SWACA. Domestic violence can happen to anybody, from any social class, religion or cultural background. A wide variety of women get in touch with SWACA and choose which services are best for themselves.

SWACA has public numbers, posters and leaflets, which are situated all around Sefton so that women can easily get in touch. These places include their own charity shops, offices, health centres and even supermarkets so women can call in or phone for details.

SWACA is celebrating its 21st birthday this year with lots of fund raising events right through the year. It will be having a special celebration dinner on the 18th of December.

If you would like to contact SWACA, telephone (0151) 920 6072 or (01704) 500647.

Back