Maria Sookias – Head of Operations ~Annie Huggett Local suffragette. Working class hero

Welcome Introductions Working together

What do these women have in common?

What we will cover Nia’s history/herstory An overview of VAWG An overview of support services How you can get involved Your chance to ask questions

nia nia was established in 1975 (originally Hackney Women’s Aid) Challenging all forms of VAWG Provide services for women, children and young people who have experienced violence and abuse Feminist Organisation Empowering women and girls - Activism

Why feminism? 2 women a week in England and Wales are killed every week by a current or former partner (ONS, 2015) Between 2009 and 2015, 936 women have been killed by men (Femicide Census, 2016) 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their life time (Crime survey, 2013/14)

Why feminism? 1 in 5 women aged 16 - 59 has experienced some form of sexual violence since the age of 16 (ONS/HO, 2013) 31% of young women aged 18-24 report having experienced sexual abuse in childhood (NSPCC, 2011) Conviction rates for rape are far lower than other crimes, with only 5.7% of reported rape cases ending in a conviction of the perpetrator (Kelly, Lovett & Regan, 2005)

Children 20% of children in the UK have been exposed to domestic abuse (Radford et al. NSPCC) In 90% of domestic violence incidents in family households, children were in the same or the next room (Hughes, 1992) 62% of children in households where domestic violence is happening are also directly harmed (SaferLives, 2015)

What is VAWG Rape Sexual assault Domestic violence FGM Honour Based Violence Forced Marriage Harmful practice eg:Exorcism / talisman/ Breast Ironing Prostitution/pornography Online abuse/exploitation/grooming Outing

A global problem Globally, 1 in 3 women will experience violence at the hands of a male partner (State of the World’s Fathers Report, MenCare 2015)

Services at Huggett Women’s Centre

Huggett - Practicalities Referrals pan-London Dagenham Zone 5- accessible station On the main road- Good lighting No parking available. Call in advance to book Women only space. Boys welcome under 11.

Services at Huggett Women’s Centre Counselling Rooms Chill out room Meeting rooms Crèche Small external play Café Laundry IT Black and minority ethnic

Services at Huggett Women’s Centre Women’s empowerment group Girls empowerment work group Drop-ins – come in for a cuppa East London Rape Crisis (Helpline and counselling services) Play therapy (boys and girls under 11) (recruiting) LEA Project (London Exiting and Advocacy) Legal Advice – Family Law

Specialist Services and Partners Our Partners BDCVS DABD Ashiana BME 121 and group work Respond Specialist Learning disabled 121 and group support Lillywhite Williams – Legal advice- Family Law and Children Adult College (other partners pending)

Meet the rest of the team Centre Coordinator Caretaker/Cleaner Lead Group Worker Partnership and training coordinator Steering Group Volunteer Coordinator Volunteer team (15 over 2 years) Women and Girls- service user group Women’s Engagement Officer

How to make a referral Drop-in: No referral needed. Just come along Tuesdays 11-12 or Thursday 2-4 Group work: via drop-in, post or emailed. Please note we are taking referrals for assessment in January, and group work to begin in February. Legal Advice: Drop-in every other Tuesday morning East London Rape Crisis: Tel: 0800 1601036 Partner services and special events – via Drop-in or newsletter

Contact Details HWC@niaendingviolence.org.uk nia-Huggett Women’s Centre 321-329 Heathway Dagenham London RM9 5AF   Tel: 0203 813 2955 HWC@niaendingviolence.org.uk Follow Huggett Women’s Centre on twitter @niaHWC and Facebook www.niaendingviolence.org.uk

Thanks for listening Here for the next hour to chat 

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