Charity warning for Swindon Pride attendees amid domestic abuse concerns
As Swindon prepares to celebrate Pride this weekend, Society Without Abuse (SWA) is reminding people that abuse can happen in any relationship, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Kate Rowland, chief executive of SWA, said: "Domestic abuse can happen to anyone in any relationship no matter how they identify, their age or their background.
"In same-sex relationships the abuse can often be multi-faceted due to community and identity issues and it's known that victims are less likely to report their experiences or seek help, with 61 per cent of people who acknowledge they have been victims saying that they did not seek professional support to recover.
"As a result, LGBT+ victims are more likely to self-harm or commit suicide.
"However, it's important to know that there is expert support available to people of all genders and backgrounds in Swindon who are experiencing domestic abuse."
The charity highlights that domestic abuse is believed to be more common in same-sex relationships, but that many individuals may not recognise abusive behaviours or feel able to reach out for help.
SWA also runs a behaviour change scheme called Open2Change, which supports individuals who use harmful behaviours in relationships to seek help and change.
Ms Rowland said: "Swindon is also home to our innovative behaviour change programme that works with people who use harmful behaviour and they can come directly to us to seek support to change."
The Open2Change programme is delivered one-to-one and is available to people of all genders and relationship types, including those in same-sex and mixed-sex relationships.
SWA will be present at Swindon Pride this weekend to raise awareness of its services and recovery programmes.
Read more: Shoplifter who assaulted staff jailed and banned from stores
The charity, originally founded in 1974 as Swindon Women's Aid, takes a whole-family approach to tackling domestic abuse, with 50 years of experience supporting survivors, families and perpetrators.
Its specialist team for children and young people collaborates with educators to promote healthy relationships at an age-appropriate level.
The charity also works with businesses and the wider community to ensure people know how to signpost victims to support.
SWA operates two fundraising shops, located in The Parade in Swindon and Hughenden Yard in Marlborough.
Anyone in need of advice or support related to domestic abuse can contact Swindon's domestic abuse helpline on 01793 610610.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
East Lothian residents fear glamping pods could put local water supply at risk
Plans to convert a horse field into a new site for glamping will go before councillors next week after nearly 100 objections were lodged. Concerns over the impact of the new venture on p ublic health as well as the countryside itself, were raised by local residents, who said the pods could contaminate the local water supply. Despite this, East Lothian planning officers are recommending the plans are approved. READ MORE: Edinburgh braced for thunderstorms as Met Office issues warning amid heatwave READ MORE: Edinburgh tanning salon given final warning over noise complaints The application by Ltd, has now been called in to be decided at a meeting of Ethe council's planning committee next week by Councillor George McGuire. A report to members says Councillor McGuire Said: "Given the large number of objections and concerns raised against these proposals, I feel it is worthy of further consideration by the full planning committee." The application is for a change of use of the horse field, which is next to Boggs Holding, near Pencaitland, to allow six glamping pods to be placed on the site. The applicants says the timber clad pods will be used for short term holiday lets. Officers said they received 35 individual objections as well as an objection from Boggs Community Association which is signed by 62 people. The objectors raised concerns about a lack of public transport to the site, its impact on the landscape and wildlife and on local residents with claims a lack of drainage plans on the site could lead to the local water supply being affected. Planning officers recommended the application for approval saying it was 'compatible' with the surrounding area. They said: "The principle of the proposed land use is considered to be acceptable in this location, and the design of the proposal has no unacceptable impact on the landscape character and natural environment. "The proposed use and scale of development is compatible with the adjoining land uses." The committee will meet to discuss the application at a meeting next Tuesday. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community her e and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
New plans for church which closed more than 10 years ago
A church which has been lying empty for over a decade could be brought back as a Christian place of worship. St James' Church in New Bury, Farnworth, has been closed to worshippers since 2012 – but soon a new congregation could return the building to its original use. The Church of England posted the new draft proposal on the building's entrance, with assurances that the churchyard would remain public and graves would not be disturbed. A public consultation is underway, but the diocese said they are looking forward to seeing the historic building be once again used for Christian worship. Christ Apostolic Church Dominion Outreach, a church which was started over a hundred years ago in Nigeria, is in the process of buying the building. A spokesperson for the Church of England's Diocese of Manchester said: 'We are pleased that St James' Church in Farnworth may soon be brought back into use as a place of Christian worship, following its closure in 2012. 'The church has been empty for some time, and we welcome the opportunity for it to once again serve the local community in this way. 'Subject to the outcome of the public consultation and the necessary arrangements being put in place, we look forward to seeing Christian worship return to this historic building through the ministry of Christ Apostolic Church.' Have a story? Get in touch at Ezekiel Oladele, senior pastor at Christ Apostolic Church, said that they are pleased to be able to revive the church for its original purpose. He said: 'We're a Christian organisation and we're going to use the property for what it was meant to be used as. 'It was built as a place of worship, and it's also good that we can get a property that's been formerly used as a place of worship. READ MORE: Pub regulars proudly fund potentially life-saving kit outside their local READ MORE: Memory of much loved man who died by suicide honoured with opening of beautiful space READ MORE: Farnworth: St James' Church up for sale for £100,000 'We have enough members who are dedicated and ready to make sure that the property is well attended. 'If you are there you will not be happy what has happened to the building – all the facilities have been vandalised – all the windows and all the doors have been destroyed. 'The community will be happy that it will be put to use again.' The church had been up for sale for £100,000. In early 2022, a draft scheme published by Church of England commissioners under the church buildings disposal scheme, gave details of proposals to create an art gallery, exhibition space and an artist's studio at the building. There are a large number of graves, including Commonwealth war graves in the churchyard, which was closed for burials in 2011. The graveyard is maintained by the council and public access to graves continues.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rare upland landscapes on English-Welsh border protected with expanded reserve
More than a thousand hectares of rare uplands have been secured for wildlife, as a nature reserve on the English-Welsh border expands to triple its original size. The new Stiperstones Landscape national nature reserve will conserve 1,562 hectares (3,900 acres) of heathland, ancient woodland, bogs and acidic grasslands linked by unique geology, safeguarding an area more than three times the size of the original Stiperstones reserve. Government agency Natural England said the new reserve combined existing protected sites with more than 1,100 hectares of additional land managed by partner organisations to link up habitats and protect rare plants and threatened wildlife such as the bilberry bumblebee. It will capture carbon, manage flood risk and improve water quality, and preserve ancient quartzite tors, where Wild Edric and his fairy queen Godda of Saxon legend are said to still gallop whenever England faces peril, Natural England said. The new reserve forms part of the 'King's Series of National Nature Reserves', created to mark Charles's lifelong support for the natural environment, with 25 new protected areas planned by 2028. Tony Juniper, chairman of Natural England, said: 'Enhancing and expanding our nature-rich landscapes is one of the most critical actions we must take to achieve our stretching environmental targets; this landmark moment for nature recovery is the next step on that path. 'Collaboration across this landscape will protect the upland heath and ancient woodland conserving rare species while also creating more opportunities for local people to experience the joy of nature first hand.' Forestry England, The Linley Estate, Shropshire County Council, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Middle Marches Community Land Trust and Natural England have joined forces to deliver the new reserve. Dr Richard Keymer, Middle Marches Community Land Trust chairman, said: 'Middle Marches Community Land Trust is delighted that the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve is to be extended and will include two areas of land that we own, Minsterley Meadows and Norbury Hill. 'Larger areas of land managed for nature will make them more resilient in the face of a changing climate,' he said.
