Abuse charity’s cash call as demand for help rises

TO MARK International Women’s Day on March 8, Jewish Women’s Aid is launching an appeal to raise funds “to support female victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence in our community”.

The charity’s former co-chair, Madeleine Abramson, said that during her three-year tenure, which ended in January, “our team responded to an alarming 48 per cent increase in demand.

“Jewish women and girls aged between 14 and 94 continue to turn to us traumatised and isolated. Our clients’ experiences of sexual violence and sustained abuse are horrifying.

“For the women we support, the practical, psychological, emotional and financial services delivered by our team of expert caseworkers and counsellors is simply life-changing.”

She added that JWA’s educational programmes were geared to reducing “the prevalence of abuse and sexual violence within our community.

“We are creating a culture of consent and understanding of healthy relationships impacting several thousands of young adults, students and community leaders each year.”

The charity’s advocacy and therapeutic teams worked with 700 women in 2022. After assessment of their needs, the professional staff team offered services including counselling, children’s therapy, risk reduction, emotional support, access to legal options and benefits advice.

Also last year, 3,200 students attended its healthy relationships and consent education programme.

The charity says support is vital to ensure “we can keep women and girls in our community safe from abuse and violence”.