Contact us
Contact us

Society Without Abuse (SWA)

Women experiencing Domestic Abuse may need specialist support, practical essentials and access to services that can help them rebuild their lives. Organisations such as SWA depend on resources, public awareness and community support to provide these essential services. Whilst fighting domestic abuse remains SWA's core principle, it has focussed on raising community awareness of DA by offering training to professionals, tackling the impact of DA on children, including an CYP Outreach Service, a specialist support service and Healthy relationship education sessions in all education settings. Finally they created an Open2Change programme for those perpetrators who recognise, and want to change, their harmful behaviours in relationships.

  • 0

    Domestic Abuse crimes

    reported in Wiltshire during the last 12 months

  • < 0 %

    Domestic Abuse incidents

    are reported

  • c. 0

    Estimated Domestic Abuse incidents

    each year in Wiltshire alone

Local club action

Swindon Soroptimists have supported Society Without Abuse (SWA) over many years, renewing and developing their relationship in 2018.

  • Building the partnership: Following training by SWA staff for a court-monitoring project, club members strengthened their relationship with the charity and explored ways to support its work.
  • Supporting the charity shop: Collected and donated unwanted clothing, books, DVDs and household items for SWA to sell, helping generate funds for its services.
  • Meeting practical needs: In 2019, members delivered bras, household linen and rucksacks requested for SWA clients, alongside other donations.
  • Mobilising the community: Encouraged friends, family and the local Ladies Who Latte networking group to contribute donations, extending support beyond club membership.
  • Raising awareness of abuse: Worked with SWA to organise the “Railing Against Abuse” event in November 2019. SWA helped establish useful contacts, and its chair and colleagues joined the march through Swindon and spoke at the reception afterwards. We also share information about SWA events across our Social Media channels.
  • Providing financial support during lockdown: Donated £100 from club funds in 2020 when lockdown was affecting SWA’s finances. Members also publicised the charity’s 24-hour helpline on the club’s Facebook page.
  • Sustaining support over time: Continued collecting and delivering donations after the charity shop reopened, involving an expanding network of community supporters. We regularly attend their fundraising events including dinners, concerts and fire walks!

Impact

  • Practical resources for women: Donations included clothing, bras, household linen, rucksacks, books, DVDs and household items.
  • Fundraising support for SWA: Donated goods help stock the charity shop, generating income to support the charity’s work and we frequently attend SWA’s fundraising events.
  • Direct financial assistance: The club’s £100 donation during lockdown helped support SWA at a financially challenging time.
  • Community involvement: The club inspired friends, families and local networking groups to contribute, multiplying the impact of members’ own efforts.
  • Sustained commitment: The club made nearly 11 deliveries to SWA during 2022, followed by seven deliveries of approximately 35 large bags in total during 2023 and early 2024.
  • Greater public awareness: The 2019 march brought together Soroptimists, SWA representatives and local leaders to speak out against violence against women.