Charity tells domestic abuse victims: We are still here for you
Women’s Aid doing their ‘absolute best’over lockdown
Renfrewshire Women’s Aid is working to get back up and running following the devastating effects of Covid-19 which halted a number of lifesaving services for women experiencing domestic abuse.
Staff at the Paisley- based charity are now increasing their services in a bid to support more women following their shutdown at the start of the pandemic.
They were forced to close their doors throughout the lockdown, meaning they were unable to meet any women in need of support.
New research, carried out by Scottish Women’s Aid, shows the extent to which the pandemic impacted on women working to free themselves of domestic abuse.
Factors such as refuge accommodation, child contact and access to justice have all faced delays during the coronavirus crisis as a number of services have been ground to a halt.
Dedicated staff at the Violet Street base have been working tirelessly throughout lockdown to support women on a limited service.
They received a share of £ 1.4million from the Scottish Government to help continue to provide services to women in need during the lockdown.
However, they say they are now doing the best they can to repair the damage Covid-19 has done to their vital service.
Rae Gilbert, of Renfrewshire Women’s Aid, said: “It has been difficult for us as things have been a lot slower and in regards to court cases and child contact matters, it has been difficult.
“But we have been doing the best we can to provide as best a service as possible throughout the restrictions we have faced.
“We have had to be careful as we are a small organisation and we cannot afford to lose all of our staff as that would completely grind things to a halt.
“We cannot risk that as we need to be here to help women who need us.”
Rae and her team are now able to offer one- to- one support to women in need after months of reduced services.
The Express previously told how the organisation was experiencing a rise in women seeking support, having recorded a shocking 60 per cent increase in referrals between
March and April.
Rae previously explained that the charity believed the coronavirus crisis is highlighting a horrific issue which was going on behind closed doors long before the pandemic began.
They feared that the lockdown would heighten tensions in households and may even cut off escape routes for victims.
But now the staff at Renfrewshire Women’s Aid are hopeful more women will be able to seek help as restrictions are now easing.
Rae added: “Throughout lockdown, a big concern for us was that women had lost their window of opportunity.
“Families were more than likely all at home together and that did not leave any opportunities to seek help.
“Now that the schools are back and people are moving about more freely, we are hopeful that women can reach out to us.
“We are still here and doing our absolute best to do what we can just now.”
Anyone who needs to get in touch with Renfrewshire Women’s Aid can call 0141 561 7030 or email info@renwomensaid.co.uk. They can also phone the domestic abuse helpline on 0800 027 1234.
We have been doing the best we can to provide as best a service as possible throughout the restrictions