Welwyn Hatfield Women's Aid is a local voluntary agency ( Registered Charity No. 1156186 ) providing services for women and children who have experienced domestic violence or abuse. They are an independent organisation run by women, for women and they are full members of the Women's Aid Federation of England ( WAFE ).

The organisation was set up in 1990 when concerned members of Welwyn Hatfield Council invited women in the community to a public meeting to address the locally unmet needs of women living with domestic violence. Welwyn Hatfield Council remain as supportive of them and their work as they were in 1990. They would not be able to operate without their continued commitment.                                                                                                                    

Aim:

To provide safe accommodation and help and support in the community to women and children who have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused.

Mission Statement:                                                   

Welwyn Hatfield Women’s Aid seeks to work towards and end to violence against women and children in the home and outside. Towards this ultimate end they seek to meet the following objectives:

• -To provide safe temporary accommodation, advice, support and information to women and children fleeing domestic violence and abuse
• -To offer specific services for children.
• -To provide Outreach support to women who choose not to use the Refuge for temporary accommodation and to ex resident  women and children
• -To offer counselling to women who have experienced violence and abuse
• -To plan and facilitate Domestic Violence Awareness and Good Practice training to external agencies.
• -Multi-agency work and networking

Advocacy

Women from all cultures, races, classes, sexualities, ages and levels of ability experience domestic violence and abuse. Whilst each woman’s experience is unique to her they are aware that many issues may profoundly affect her, for example her access to services, who she can confidently ask for help, what she is likely to lose if she leaves the relationship, whether she feels she will be believed, does she risk losing her children? They are always mindful of each woman as a unique individual and how her difference can affect her life and the choices she makes. They will endeavour to ensure that informed choices may be made. They will promote self determination and offer support to achieve this.

They recognise that not all women are ready to permanently leave abusive relationships. They may use the Refuge for respite rather than making a final break, they may simply want to talk to Refuge staff or join a group. They will support them in any decision they make, providing no child is at risk of abuse.

Children make up two thirds of their client group and they have a priority to provide services to them. It is important that they know they have a right to live free from violence in their Refuge. To this end children in Refuge must not be smacked or physically punished. They encourage and support women to find non abusive ways of disciplining their children. They are also aware that recent research has shown links between domestic violence and child abuse.

They are aware that some women may continue to need their support when they are safely resettled. To this end they will make their services available through regular drop in groups and the telephone helpline.

They will work positively with external agencies – both statutory and voluntary – to try to ensure that women and children who have experienced violence and abuse receive sympathetic treatment. They will also assist external agencies with domestic violence training events, awareness raising and good practice issues.