Domestic abuse service replacing '˜Women's Aid' set to open in Doncaster

A new independent domestic abuse service which hopes to replace the void left by the closure of Women's Aid is set to open in Doncaster.

Despite a lengthy battle to save Doncaster Women’s Aid by staff and members of the Women’s Lives Matter campaign, the service closed in April due to funding cuts.

But now a new service called SYWA (Doncaster) aims to take its place as the borough’s only independent domestic abuse service and is set to open in September after being awarded a £30,000 grant from the council.

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A spokesman for the SYWA said: “Women’s lives matter campaign are over joyed to announce that with help from the council, a new voluntary domestic violence service is opening in Doncaster this September.

“The group wants to thank all who supported the campaign to maintain an independent domestic violence service in our town; and especially thank them for offering their skills, knowledge, time and effort to ensure that a specialist domestic abuse service for women and girls operates once again in Doncaster.

“The new service, SYWA(Doncaster) recognises that domestic violence against women is not a side issue in our town, we believe it is a major concern affecting many relationships 
and families.

“Doncaster has very high reporting rates to the police; therefore the specialist support that will be provided by SYWA (Doncaster) in conjunction with other voluntary sector agencies will complement the council’s domestic abuse services and will be invaluable in keeping women empowered, safe and alive.”

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Karen Johnson, assistant director for communities, said: “Grants like this make a real difference to communities by helping support the valuable work of the voluntary, community and faith sector. They are a great example of how we can work together in Doncaster to help make a difference to people’s lives.”

Email [email protected] for more details.