Sheffield Women’s Aid

Sheffield Women’s Aid offers a safe, supportive space for women and their children to live after leaving abusive relationships.  They offer a safe space for single women (16+) with or without children, to live after leaving abusive relationships. Dependent children must be aged 18 or younger.

The service is responsive to women and children from a variety of cultural backgrounds and with a variety of needs and circumstances. Their support is provided regardless of age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, culture or faith. They support women fleeing domestic abuse in all forms, including, physical, sexual and psychological abuse, ‘honour based violence’, female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

Currently, Sheffield Women’s Aid have two sites in Sheffield (previously known as SARAS). Both refuges keep their addresses confidential and have a range of security measures in place to help to keep you safe, such as CCTV and door entry systems. You do not have to share a bedroom with another family and you do not have to leave your room or the refuge during the day.

All referrals must be made through the Housing Support Pathway.

Nationally

Sheffield Women’s Aid are members of the Women’s Aid Federation.  The national organisation of Women’s Aid have a range of resources and support including:

• Live Chat: they run an online instant messaging service (available 8am – 6pm Mon – Fri, 10am – 6pm Sat – Sun)
• Email Support: they offer support from female support workers via email
• Women’s Aid website has lots of information and answers to questions you may have about domestic abuse.  This includes their Survivors Handbook which provides practical advice and guidance on getting support, your rights, housing and legal help.
• Their Survivors Forum offer peer support from other women who have experienced domestic abuse. You can post messages about your experiences and offer advice to each other.
• Love Respect is an online service designed for young adults to have safe and healthy relationships. They provide information and advice about what a harmful or abusive relationship is and share stories from survivors. It provides live chat, forums and email services. They aim to support young adults to be empowered in their relationship choices whatever their gender. loverespect.co.uk
• You can also find details of local services in a directory on their website. Alternatively visit the listing for Sheffield Domestic Abuse Coordination Team which provides details about local services.