Scottish Women's Aid

Working towards the prevention of domestic abuse

Started in the 1970s, Women’s Aid sought to address the needs of women affected by violence. It focused on domestic abuse in all its forms, empowering women and seeking to change the attitudes of men, the church and society in general on the dignity of women and the right to live free from fear and violence.

Scottish Women’s Aid is a network of thirty-nine groups from every part of Scotland, providing refuge, support, advice and services to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. It seeks to free women, and girls, especially from poor and impoverished backgrounds from seeing themselves as objects. By the end of the of the United Nations Decade for Women in 1980, a clear mandate was written for addressing violence against women and the crippling effects of ignoring its victims.

Scottish Women’s Aid believes that women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse must be able to access safe and secure accommodations and specialized services; to participate in the decisions that impact them and so have their voices heard. It works hard enabling the national and local policies relating to domestic abuse to ensure the safety of the victims and to hold perpetrators to account. Not only does Scottish Women’s Aid listen to the victims and give them their voices, but it also lobbies for more just laws for the safety of women, children and youth.

In 1974 a group of women, including Ruth Adler who had great organisational skills and a passion for the welfare of children, created the network of Scottish Women’s Aid. This has grown into a great force, not only providing refuge for victims but also a voice of change protecting women and children in all parts of Scotland from violence.

Rona Harding

Sources:

Orr, Lesley. Interview 2014
Women’s Aid webpage: Scottish Women's Aid
Cheetham , J. Obituary: Ruth Adler The Independent, 26 February 1994