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The Women's Aid movement in Northern Ireland
is part of a widespread movement which began in the United Kingdom in the early
1970's. The first refuge was set up
in Chiswick in the Autumn of 1971, as a centre where women would meet, talk and
seek help with their problems. It
soon became evident that the primary need of the women contacting the centre was
for refuge for themselves and their children and this became the focus of their
work. The intense media attention given to this refuge during the
early 70's was very effective in raising the awareness of the great need for
more accommodation. Throughout the
mid 1970's independent refuges for women and children were being set up as part
of an international movement which included Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Canada
and Australia and many European countries.
In Britain many of these groups came together to share their experiences
and used the name 'Women's Aid'.
In Northern Ireland the
growth of the movement has been dramatic. The
first refuge opened in 1975 in Belfast but unfortunately closed after 19 months
as the small terraced house was unsuitable for the purpose. The experience of running a refuge and
the demand for its service proved the necessity of making provision for women
and children who suffered from domestic violence.
During 1977, Women's Aid groups were set up in Derry and Coleraine and
with Belfast Women's Aid. These groups formed the Northern Ireland Women's Aid
Federation in 1978. The
role of the Federation was to act as a co-ordinating and development body and
also to maintain contact with sister federations which now existed in England,
Scotland and Wales. next page
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