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At SIG, we are wholeheartedly committed to addressing women’s unique challenges through our comprehensive trauma-informed services. Our recent Women’s Strategy Day served as a powerful affirmation of our commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for women, particularly those navigating multiple barriers. This blog shares our strategic vision and the meaningful work we are undertaking to support and empower women in need.
Today, the need for specialist support services for women is more relevant than ever. Statistics reveal that one in three women aged 16-59 will encounter domestic abuse in her lifetime, and two women are tragically killed each week by a current or former partner in England and Wales. Moreover, women are disproportionately affected by hidden homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use as a coping mechanism for trauma. These realities highlight the urgent need for gender-specific services that address women’s unique experiences and needs.
Central to our approach is the creation of safe spaces that prioritise psychological and physical safety. These environments promote inclusivity, empathy, and respect, enabling open dialogue and vulnerability, key ingredients for personal growth and healing. Our practices reflect our commitment to safe spaces, promoting active and inclusive participation, unconditional positive regard, and using accessible and mindful language.
Trauma-informed care is integral to our services, allowing us to recognise and address the impact of trauma on behaviour with compassion and understanding. We build self-awareness and facilitate healing by considering the underlying factors contributing to behaviour. Our trauma-informed practices include specialised staff training, ensuring they engage empathetically with service residents and participants while cultivating a culture of support and understanding. This thoughtful approach yields tangible benefits, such as strengthened relationships, lower eviction rates, and enhanced recovery outcomes.
We are developing services designed to address the diverse needs of women. We offer extensive support for survivors of domestic abuse, including those experiencing ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriages, and sexual violence. Our holistic methodology ensures that we comprehensively meet each survivor’s physical, emotional, mental, and practical needs. This methodology includes legal advocacy, housing assistance, mental health and emotional support, parenting guidance, and trauma-informed care to promote resilience and recovery.
The inspiring stories of the women we support best exemplify the impact of our commitment to women’s services:
Resident A found refuge with her two daughters after fleeing from a history of traumatic domestic abuse. With a background of childhood sexual abuse and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, she faced significant hurdles. Our support not only helped her access necessary services but also provided vital mental health and emotional support, helping her rebuild her life with renewed hope.
Another inspiring story is that of Resident B, who bravely faced severe ‘honour’ based violence and coercive control. We supported Resident B to access tailored financial support and advocacy, and this helped her regain autonomy and ensured a safe environment for herself and her son.
Such case studies truly highlight the transformative power of our services on the lives of women and their children.
We are acutely aware of the barriers women may encounter in accessing support, such as stigma, shame, and fear of reporting abuse. We aim to support women overcoming these barriers by offering a warm and understanding environment. For instance, our Children and Families Support Programme ensures that children’s needs are fully met, allowing women to focus on their wellbeing. This comprehensive approach is crucial for breaking the cycle of abuse and promoting long-term healing.
Every aspect of our work at SIG reflects our commitment to supporting women. From our trauma-informed practices and the creation of safe spaces to our holistic support services, we are making a significant difference in the lives of women facing complex disadvantages. By addressing their unique challenges, we empower women to reclaim their lives and reach their fullest potential. Our dedication to continuous development keeps us at the forefront of delivering effective and compassionate support tailored for women.
Our Women’s Strategy Day emphasised the importance of continuous improvement and collaboration. Following on from the discussions had on the day, we will be further developing the objectives identified, actions and KPI’s needed. We are committed to developing a comprehensive Women’s Strategy through 2025-26 that includes input from residents, participants, and stakeholders. This strategy will guide our ongoing efforts to provide high-quality, gender-specific services that meet the evolving needs of women.
We welcome collaboration with local authorities and organisations that share our mission. If you are interested in partnering to develop a more empowering future for all women in our community, please get in touch at enquiries@socialinterestgroup.org.uk or learn more about our current women’s services at Women’s Services – Social Interest Group
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