Back to index of Nerve 19 - Winter 2011

Women are the most visible victims of social injustice

By Val Walsh

Violence against women (in or beyond the home) and the inclination of society and its institutions to ignore its long-term consequences for women and children, has always been a key feminist issue that cuts to the heart of what we mean by a decent society.

Women's projects, refuges and support groups have routinely staggered along on a shoestring, forever having to hold raffles and fundraisers to get through the next few months; never put on secure life support; never acknowledged as essential to the health and well being of women and children; with staff and volunteers stretched to their limits, at risk of compromising their own health and well being.

Apart from social justice issues and ethical considerations, there are practical consequences: the indirect costs of allowing women (and by extension many children) to be victims all their lives; to be degraded by conditions not of their own making; left at the bottom of the pile, with no escape route.

Social injustice costs society and damages communities, not just the individual women who are its most visible victims. This is not a money saver, but an ideologically driven determination to reduce women's social, sexual and financial independence (such as it is) and by extension, our participation in the public domain.

Organisations and Support Groups

Community Parents - NSPCC recruit and train volunteers to work with families with young children who are isolated and in need of support.

Non Accidental Head injuries (NAHI) - NSPCC is a programme aimed at raising parental awareness of the dangers of shaking babies and to increase parents' confidence in dealing with frustration caused by babies crying.

Anyone interested in volunteering for either of these fabulous programmes should contact Pauline Ashton or Tracy Ugboaja at NSPCC on 0844 892 0264.

PSS Post Natal Depression (PND) Project is based at 18 Seel St, Liverpool L1 4BE, and works with women experiencing PND, on an emotional and practical level to help them rebuild their self esteem, their relationships and their lives. To find out more, call 0151 702 5533 / 5583 or email:pnd@pss.org.uk

PSS Women's Turnaround Project is a safe female only community service offering individually tailored support for vulnerable women within the City. We offer support to those women who may have experienced domestic violence, offending behaviours through poor life choices and also offer an all round service to empower our women to make healthy choices.
Contact details: PSS, Women's Turnaround Project. Community Resource Centre, Community Justice Centre, Boundary Street, Kirkdale L5 2QD. Mobile:07595 863 133. Email: WomensTurnaround[at]pss.org.uk

WHISC (Women's Health Information & Support Centre), Merseyside Woman of the Year, Women's Group Winners, 2011, celebrating our 25th birthday this year. WHISC is a charity which aims to promote women's health by providing information, training and support to women and their families, and currently provides a wide variety of free and confidential services.
120 Bold St, L1 4JA. Tel: 0151 707 1826. Facebook: Whisc Liverpool. Web site: www.whisc.org.uk

Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS) gives organisational support to voluntary and community groups in Liverpool.
151 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2AH. Tel: 0151 227 5177- Fax: 0151 237 3998 - Textphone: 0151 237 3999.

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