A sanctuary from violence

By BARBARA WARD

Two events have been organised to help a charity that often has to shy away from publicity to protect those that it seeks to help.

Newark Women's Aid was set up in 1975.

It was one of the first refuges in the country and at the time one of only two in Nottinghamshire. It provides safe accommodation and support for up to six women and their children who are fleeing from physical or emotional abuse.
Hampers

The financial director of The Bearings, Newark, Mrs Susan Parker, became involved with the charity about ten years ago when she accompanied the late Rev Annie Johnson from Christ Church, Newark, to the refuge to take some hampers.

Mrs Parker said she had been taken aback by what she had seen and from then on had helped to organise Christmas presents for the children with the help of others at The Bearings, and hampers through her involvement with the Mothers' Union.

Mrs Parker's latest help for the charity is by organising with her son, Mr Jason Parker, a golf day at Belton Woods a week today and a dinner with snooker player Willie Thorne and comedian Martin Daniels.

Money raised from the events will be used to help buy new outdoor play equipment for the refuge and a laptop to help children staying there with their homework. They are hoping both events will be sell-outs.

The refuge is housed in a large building which was converted by Nottingham Community Housing Association.

It has helped hundreds of women from the age of 16 to 72 to start a new life. They normally stay for about six months before they are rehoused.

Trustee and secretary Mrs Kate Hayes said that it was often very difficult and brave for a woman to make the break from an abusive relationship but often the safest option was to move away from the family home and sometimes to another part of the country.

There is a network of refuges and no woman needing help is ever turned away.

"Any woman can experience domestic abuse regardless of race, class or lifestyle," said Mrs Hayes.

The charity also provides an outreach service for people who have experienced domestic abuse but do not want to go into a refuge. Help can be given in many areas including legal matters, safety and housing benefits.

An important part of their work is to help any children who find themselves caught in the middle of the situation.

Their experiences can affect their health, emotions and social wellbeing, and self-esteem. There is a children’s worker who works in the refuge and in the community.
One 35-year-old woman said that her time in the Newark refuge had given her the chance to change her life.

She said that workers had helped her through her feelings and to understand that she was not at fault.

"My ex-partner is good looking, charming and articulate and generally respected by people who know him," she said.
"He is also a serial woman beater and a very dangerous man. My physical injuries are gone but the emotional scars will take many years to fade."

She said she was grateful to the refuge for their advice and help. She said she was encouraged to take up further education and she is now in full time work.
"I was helped every step of the way and have regained my self-respect."

Anybody wanting to help the refuge or needing help can contact them on 01636 679687. Information about the charity golf day and dinner is available from Mr Parker on 07834 348229.

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