Charity launches urgent appeal following rise in service demand

The charity that provides support and services for women and children who have experienced domestic abuse is urging political leaders and council election candidates to help following a surge in demand over the past two years.

Since the start of the pandemic, Edinburgh Women’s Aid (EWA) has seen an increase in the number of women using their services by almost 10 per cent due to factors including financial insecurity, social distancing, and limited access to friends and family.

These factors have made both escaping from an abuser and recovering from abuse even more difficult for women and children, according to the charity.

To enable EWA to continue to protect and keep victims of domestic abuse safe, the charity is calling on all political candidates in the run up to the elections to pledge their commitment to providing specialist services for women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse in Edinburgh.

They are also urging members of the public to speak to their local candidates and ask if they have signed EWA’S pledge and if they are committed to supporting the charity to end domestic abuse.

Linda Rodgers, chief executive of EWA, said: "Demand for our services is increasing year on year and the provision of specialist support is vital to help women, children and young people to recover from their experiences.

“We believe it is imperative that the voices of women and children affected by domestic abuse are heard by elected representatives, which is why we are asking them to pledge their commitment to the provision of specialist services for women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse in Edinburgh.

"We are also urging people to speak to their local candidates at the door or in meetings, and ask if they have signed our pledge and if they are committed to supporting us to end domestic abuse, as without our services even more women and children's lives would be seriously at risk in the city."

EWA, which remained open throughout the pandemic, increased its hours of operation and introduced new ways of supporting women, including developing a webchat service.