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International Women’s Day: Women’s Aid launches urgent fundraising appeal to prevent closure of Live Chat service

'Unless we receive £200k funding very soon, the service faces closure', Adina Claire says

Sunday 08 March 2020 09:08 GMT

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International Women's Day 2020: How it began and why it's still important

Domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid is launching an urgent appeal on International Women's Day to raise £200,000 to help keep its live-saving Live Chat service running.

According to Women’s Aid, the service offered advice to 30,000 people since it opened in October 2019, with 70 per cent of callers saying it was the first time they had contacted the charity.

The service is run by expert domestic abuse workers who offer survivors free, confidential and non-judgemental advice and support about their situation, including emotional and practical support such as finding the woman a refuge space.

However, the charity is concerned that without urgent funding the Live Chat service could be at risk of closure.

As a result, Women’s Aid is appealing for donations so that it can continue to help thousands of women and children every year.

The charity states that a donation of just £5 funds a single live chat with an expert domestic abuse worker, meaning one single £5 contribution could provide vital support and advice for a woman in crisis.

Adina Claire, acting co-chief executive of Women’s Aid, described the Live Chat service as “life-saving” for women experiencing domestic abuse.

“We know that so many women feel intimidated by the thought of picking up the phone and talking about traumatic experiences, and indeed for many women it is not safe to use the phone with their abuser nearby,” Claire said.

"We launched this live chat service so that women can explain in writing what they’re going through, and receive confidential, expert advice on their situation. We are now very concerned that, unless we receive £200k funding very soon, the service faces closure.”

Laura Winter, sports presenter and survivor spokeswoman for the appeal, agreed, adding that she would have found a service like Women’s Aid’s Live Chat “valuable” when she was experiencing domestic abuse.

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Malala Yousafzai

"One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world." United Nations Youth Assembly, New York, 2013

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Michelle Obama

“Whether it was during my time as a lawyer, as an administrator at a university, a nonprofit manager, even now as First Lady, I’ve never once asked someone I was interviewing to explain a test score or a grade in a class -- never. I’ve never once made a hire just because someone went to an Ivy League school instead of a state school -- never. What I have looked for is what kind of person you are. Are you a hard worker? Are you reliable? Are you open to other viewpoints? Have you stepped outside of your own self-interest to serve others? Have you found a way to serve our country, whether in uniform or in your community?” Commencement address at Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky, 2013

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Emma Watson

"I have realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop." United Nations, New York, 2014

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Patricia Arquette

“To every woman who gave birth to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights. It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all." Academy Awards, California, 2015

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Hillary Clinton

"All the evidence tells us that despite the enormous obstacles that remain, there has never been a better time in history to be born female. But the data leads to a second conclusion: That despite all this progress, we're just not there yet." Women in The World Summit, New York, 2015

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Gloria Steinem

“We are here and around the world for a deep democracy that says we will not be quiet, we will not be controlled, we will work for a world in which all countries are connected. God may be in the details, but the goddess is in connections. We are at one with each other, we are looking at each other, not up." Women's March in Washington DC, 2017

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Oprah Winfrey

“So I want all the girls watching here and now to know that a new day is on the horizon! And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say, ‘Me too’ again. Thank you.” Golden Globe Awards, California, 2018

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Emma Gonzalez

"So we are speaking up for those who don’t have anyone listening to them, for those who can’t talk about it just yet, and for those who will never speak again. We are grieving, we are furious, and we are using our words fiercely and desperately because that’s the only thing standing between us and this happening again.” March for Our Lives rally, Washington DC, 2018

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Tarana Burke

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Greta Thunberg

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“The reality is, the live chat saves lives, it’s a really valuable tool,” Winter said. “

"Domestic abuse does not discriminate, it can happen to anyone. There are thousands of women who have no way out, who are coerced, who aren’t believed.”

Alice Liveing, fitness professional and survivor ambassador for Women’s Aid, described the threat of closure as “incredibly sad”.

“This service is invaluable for women and girls who are trapped in abusive relationships, particularly those who might feel nervous about calling a helpline,” she said.

“It’s certainly something I would’ve used when I was in that situation.”

If you are in need of information and support, you can email Women’s Aid at helpline@womensaid.org.uk or contact a local domestic abuse service by using the Domestic Abuse Directory.

You can find out more about the work that Women’s Aid does here.

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