Jewish Women’s Aid gets £250k boost amid ‘unprecedented demand’ during pandemic

A Jewish women’s charity facing a surge in demand from domestic abuse victims has been given a £250,000 financial boost from the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder.

Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA), which supports female victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence and their children, has faced a huge battle to help hundreds of extra callers during the coronavirus lockdown.

City Bridge Trust announced its grant to the Finchley-based charity this week, in response a fund-raising appeal, after it faced “unprecedented demand for its services during the pandemic, after 25 percent more women called for help.

The money will be used to employ a senior independent domestic violence advocate for five years, to help Jewish women and girls from across the capital escape violence and abuse and rebuild their lives.

JWA estimates that it takes Jewish women more than 11 years to take the first steps in leaving an abusive home – two years longer than the average – with perpetrators often using faith and community as a tool of abuse.

The charity’s chief executive Naomi Dickson said the “will help us to protect and support our most high-risk women… The expertise and experience of a senior independent domestic violence advocate can save lives and transform futures”.