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Swindon Women’s Aid director says: ‘We can support you’
In April Swindon Women’s Refuge, part of Swindon Women’s Aid, marked its first anniversary in its new premises, providing self-contained accommodation
for women who have suffered domestic abuse. Perhaps less well known is the provision of children’s services and outreach support for women and men.
Juliet Platt talked to Swindon Women’s Aid director Olwen Kelly who has been in the role since September 2012, coming from a civil service background
and most recently working for the Home Office as a regional crime and drug abuse advisor.
Swindon’s commitment to reducing risk individuals. It’s very violence is not a phenomenon
the incidence of domestic abuse can satisfying working with of the older generations. The
be seen in the statistics and more victims from day one and number of abusive relationships
importantly the way lives of women, seeing their transition to is still emerging with young
children and indeed men are dam- independence.” people between the ages of
aged. Explaining the nature of 16 to 25 being the ones most
Commenting on the importance domestic violence Olwen at risk, due largely to the way
of the Refuge in Swindon, Olwen said: “There doesn’t have relationships are portrayed in
said: “While the national average of to be physical violence the media.”
reported domestic abuse is only 25 per involved, nor is it some- Swindon Women’s Aid is
cent of violent crime; in Swindon that thing that is more prevalent already delivering training for
figure is more like 28.5 per cent, most within certain demograph- professionals such as GPs and
probably thanks to the proactivity and ics than others. Domestic teachers, on how to identify
zero tolerance attitude of local police. abuse can be emotional domestic violence cases, the
“Thanks to the efforts of Swindon and psychological too, impact on children and the
Borough Council, the Swindon such as the male partner having sole Convinced of the need to take type of behaviour that manifests as
Refuge has Beacon status nationally control over all the money, denying preventative measures to solve the a result of abuse in the home. Ol-
and is one of the largest facilities in the woman any independence at all. long term issue of domestic violence, wen explained: “Professionals need
the country, with 22 units, some with “Domestic abuse is a highly com- Olwen and her team have begun a new a different level of knowledge and
three bedrooms, and an emergency plex issue, and there is still a stigma programme for 11 to 18 year olds in awareness to get to the root causes of
room. This means that we are able attached to reporting it to the police, schools and colleges across Swindon, different behaviours, rather than just
to take in abused women and their not to mention the domino effect on focussing on healthy relationships, reacting to the symptoms.”
children, male or female, up to 18 the partner’s job, the mortgage, and and guiding young people to be more Swindon Women’s Refuge operates
years of age. the children. It is terrifying for many discerning about what they read in the a 24 hour helpline which women or
“In the past 12 months we’ve women to confront and there needs media and how they respond. concerned parents or friends can con-
worked with over 400 individuals in to be more done to improve how it’s This will be further developed dur- tact confidentially on 01793 610610.
the community and over 100 high dealt with in the courts and in society.” ing the Autumn. She said: “Domestic www.swindonwomensaid.org

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swindonlink.com • August 2013 5

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