Even in the 21st century, gender violence continues to be one of the most horrific and widespread forms of Human Right violations. In the UK, every week 2 women are killed by their partners. For the past 30 years, LAWA has been fighting to make sure that the women that come to our doors do not become part of this tragic statistic. We proudly run the ONLY Shelter for Latin American women and children in Europe, offering a lifeline and pathway to a brighter future.
While public funding for shelters is drastically decreasing, violence is not. Due to government cuts, many are facing closure and this threatens lives. Women and children trying to break free from violent partners, child abusers and sex traffickers, have fewer and fewer spaces to go. Migrant women are additionally vulnerable: often destitute, with limited English skills, and don't know their rights. We were recently decommissioned by Islington Council and are in urgent need of financial support.
Our shelter is more than a roof; it's a place of healing, hope and new beginnings. We offer personalised support for each family's needs: counselling, specialised children services, emergency packs for destitute families, self-development and educational workshops to boost confidence and begin the journey towards a better life. If we reach our target, it will be matched by a generous local corporate; buying us precious time to find other sources of funding and continue this vital work.
Every woman that breaks the cycle of violence can become a change maker. At the moment, 75% of our service users increase their employment and financial independence, 83% do not return to abusive relationships and 98% see their wellbeing improve substantially. When a woman is given a chance to a fresh start she can rewrite her story: from victim, to proud survivor. With each life saved we gain another voice that can speak out and help us get closer to a future without domestic violence.
