WWIN is a specialist domestic abuse service supporting women and children in Wearside since 1983. We provide accessible, community-based support services, a free 24 hour helpline, safe accommodation, counselling, group work and practical support to over 1,500 survivors (and their dependent children) a year.
We help families deal with and overcome all forms of domestic abuse whether physical, emotional, sexual or financial (including cyber-stalking and social media abuse). We advocate on their behalf to ensure they get the help and support they need, we also work in communities to raise awareness of this crime and provide training to agencies and community groups.
Safety is a priority, and our refuges provide emergency temporary accommodation for women and children who are not safe in their own homes. Refuge gives women time and space to make decisions about their futures and our specialist staff are on hand to provide one-to-one emotional and practical support.
Leaving an abusive relationship is a difficult decision, and can be dangerous, 2 women a week lose their lives at the hands of violent partners in England and Wales and this year due to lockdown, those shocking statistics have more than doubled. With this in mind, we encourage people to come and talk to us, let us help to plan and put safety measures in place before taking that step. Leaving is the start of a journey, and our job is to stand alongside families in this difficult process, whether going to court, sorting out finances, dealing with legal protection, finding a place to live... and the many other issues that arise.
We work closely with a range of partner agencies to make this difficult time easier, and help families to re-settle back into communities that are safe and supportive, and Wearside has some great communities that really care about this issue. Domestic abuse can affect any of us, a mother, a daughter, a son, a neighbour, a work colleague or the person in front of you in the supermarket queue - we all need to be domestic abuse aware.
Our Purpose:
- To deliver accessible, effective, specialist services that are informed by service users’ experiences.
- To challenge inequality in access to safety, justice, health and wellbeing.
- To campaign for social change, including shaping future policy and practice.
- To work with communities through education and engagement to create a cultural shift in attitudes to domestic abuse, and better equip communities to protect themselves.
