New look and direction for Swindon’s domestic abuse specialists
The charity formerly known as Swindon Women’s Aid has revealed a new name and
direction with a vision to use education, intervention and prevention to see an end to the
scourge of domestic abuse in our society.
Now known as Society Without Abuse (SWA), the charity is focusing on their integrated
whole family approach to tackling domestic abuse that has been crafted through 50 years of
working with families, survivors and perpetrators in Swindon.
SWA’s specialist teams support survivors of abuse to recover and rebuild their lives, as well
as empowering the next generation to build healthy relationships. They equip our wider
community, including businesses and community groups, with the knowledge needed to
effectively support those at risk and experiencing domestic abuse by removing the stigma
and making people aware of where to go to receive help. Importantly, they work to prevent
abuse happening in the future by supporting those who demonstrate unhealthy behaviour in
relationships to change their outlook and way they behave.
With aims to expand their reach and help others outside of Swindon and beyond, whilst also
continuing to develop support within the town, Chair of the SWA Board Nicky Alberry
explained: “We felt it was the right time to re-assess what the charity has achieved over the
last 50 years and where we see ourselves going, and it seemed natural to rename the
charity to better reflect the future we’re working towards.
“We have an expanding team and specialists working with a number of well-known
businesses and organisations, as well as the local authority and police, and so we have
crafted a mission to effect change in society to create safer futures free from Domestic
Abuse. We’re confident that we have the skills and experience to help many others and look
forward to reaching far and wide as the ‘new’ SWA – Society Without Abuse.”
“SWA will be a legacy that Swindon can be proud of,” adds Interim CEO Kate Rowland.
“We’re all working for one goal, to one day see a society without abuse, and so our new
name also serves to remind us, and those we work with and support, of the purpose that
drives us.
“Bringing an end to domestic abuse isn’t something we can do alone; it’s the responsibility of
every one of us, whether friends, colleagues or neighbours. It’s more than picking up the
pieces once the abuse has happened, but also working to educate, prevent and intervene.”
Society Without Abuse was launched at a special event at the charity’s shop,
Survivor@SWA, in The Parade hosted by SWA Patron and Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire
Sarah Troughton. Dame Sarah said: “SWA is a lovely family and this transition reflects the
fantastic programmes and expertise they offer. Their support is really important to all
sections of society: women, men and children. Domestic abuse is a hugely sensitive,
complex subject and if we can get to the root cause of it, we’re on the right road. I’m very
proud to be a patron of the charity that has sympathy in its DNA and uses its intelligence, as
well as its professionalism, to solve domestic abuse.”
