In 2022, West Mercia Women's Aid (WMWA) marked its 40th year of providing safe shelter and support for women and children. Forty years ago in Hereford, and across the UK, small groups of ordinary women decided that they could no longer stand by and see other women – sisters, cousins, friends – live in fear of violence and abuse from the men that they lived with. They took risks – begged and borrowed, lobbied and cajoled, drew together a network of support that they then transformed into constituted organisations which raised the resources with which to further develop the support that was then – is still – so desperately needed.
Few would have foreseen that four decades later, as many – if not more – women and children would still need that help and support. That so many would need more than just shelter and advice to recover from the trauma that is inevitable when the person that you love and claims to love you – is then cruel and controlling and underwrites their demands with threats and with physical and emotional abuse.
As a well established and respected support and prevention providers within the region, they are now aligned strategically with the strategic community safety objectives of the DICM (West Mercia) social value marketplace, with a core purpose to reduce the incidence and impact of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls in West Mercia by providing support, protection and prevention services that empower those affected by violence and abuse to rebuild their lives and those of their children.
Suppliers to the region's emergency services, councils, NHS and criminal justice services can now use their social value to support the WMWA team of strong, dedicated women who recognise the need to work with respect, care and collaboration with service users, partners and with each other.
Video
To illustrate how pervasive violence and abuse is, this video was produced by UK charity https://www.womensaid.org.uk/ 2 years ago
In this example, the video explains the relativity unknown fact that domestic abuse can become more frequent or severe during big football tournaments.
For many women and girls, it is a time of fear, where existing domestic violence can increase. While football does not cause domestic abuse, existing abuse can intensify around key tournaments.
Business social value can now support the longer-term efforts to prevent violence against women & girls in West Mercia...
If you're a business member of our ecosystem, maybe a supplier to the region's public bodies, or a local employer or even a local consumer brand you can add your social value within an impact collaboration with WMWA. Click the button below to find our how.