7 organisations (that you can support) working hard to end violence against women
Figures from the Femicide Census show that hundreds of women in the UK are killed by men every year. Many of these murdered women make headlines, like Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, along with Nicole Smallman, Bibaa Henry and Zara Aleena. But, there are also those who don't, such as victims of domestic abuse.
It's clear that there is an epidemic of violence against women. But, amid the seemingly constant cycle of difficult news, many of us are left feeling unsure of how best to respond or how to take meaningful action.
As well as attending vigils and protests, sharing information on social media and signing petitions, there are plenty of organisations and charities tirelessly working to end violence against women that you can donate to, if you are in the financial position to do so.
With that in mind, here are just a few of the organisations and charities that you can support in the fight to end violence against women...
Rosa Fund
Rosa is the only charitable funder dedicated to supporting various grassroots women's and girls' organisations in the UK. It gives "specialist organisations the resources they need to run their services, support their communities, amplify their voices, and bring attention to the issues they care about" – meaning, when you donate, your money is spread across multiple worthy causes.
Reclaim These Streets
Through legislation, education and community action, Reclaim These Streets is fighting to make Britain's streets safe for women.
"Streets should be safe for women regardless of what we wear, where we walk or what time of day or night it is," the organisation says. "It’s wrong that the response to violence against women requires women to behave differently so Reclaim These Streets speaks up on street harassment of women and girls, educates boys and men to take responsibility for the problem of violence against women and girls, and works to challenge misogyny in the way our laws are written and enforced."
Support Reclaim These Streets here
Our Streets Now
Our Streets Now, created by sisters Gemma and Maya Tutton, after they were fed up with being catcalled as teenagers, campaigns for safer streets and public places for women, girls and marginalised genders. "Our Streets Now is a national campaign demanding an end to public sexual harassment," the organisation says, "through cultural and legislative change."
On top of pushing for legislative change, Our Streets Now "hopes to raise a generation who are equipped to challenge harassment, oppression and prejudice." Their mission is to provide free resources and workshops for UK pupils, as well as campaigning for education policy to "focus on challenging the root causes" of violence against women rather than the "socially-learned behaviours of individuals."
End Violence Against Women
EVAW brings together specialist women’s support services, researchers, activists, survivors and NGOs, working to end violence against women and girls in all forms. The organisation was founded in 2005, and since then has campaigned for the government to adopt better approaches to ending and preventing violence against women and girls.
Some of their current campaigns include better justice for survivors of rape, and lobbying for the government to ensure their proposed Domestic Abuse Bill protects all women at risk of all forms of abuse.
Support End Violence Against Women here
Refuge
Refuge is dedicated to supporting women and children who have suffered from abuse, whether that's domestic violence, sexual violence, ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage, FGM, human trafficking or modern slavery.
The charity offers a range of specialist services, including temporary accommodation and community outreach, to help survivors access safety and rebuild their lives, as well as providing a free 24-hour national domestic abuse helpline.
Women's Aid
Women’s Aid is a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. According to their website, Women’s Aid was "founded on women’s struggle against patriarchy, sexism and male violence and grew out of the Women’s Movement in the 70's and 8o's."
In the 45 years since the charity was established, Women's Aid has helped thousands of women escape abuse. As well as providing over 300 local lifesaving services to women and children suffering abuse, the charity also works with schools, local communities and even football clubs to raise awareness and educate.
AVA (Against Violence & Abuse)
Against Violence & Abuse is a feminist organisation working with survivors to end gender based violence and abuse. As well as ensuring survivors can access the support they need when they need it, AVA works to educate children and young people in order to raise a generation against violence and abuse.
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