What paid work is available to help protect women against violence?

[Marmalade85]

I have recently become a single mother to an 11m old after coming out of a domestically abusive relationship. The police have been involved and so I now have experience of various services which offer support for women like me.

What has become overwhelming is the number of women that have experienced violence and abuse in their relationships. I meet up with other single mothers and they have all had to call the police at least once due to being bullied in their own home.

I feel very passionate about helping women that are isolated and abused and would like to work in this area full time.

I'm degree educated with a background in publishing, events and research. What could I do to help?

I've had similar thoughts OP. Watching your thread with interest.

Watching too.

Although I've always thought that if I win big on the Lottery I'd fund the formation of the recruitment and training of a crack team of female ninjas/hit squad.

But probably not legal, so probably not much help to you.

I just feel so angry at the injustice of it all. I can only imagine how horrendous it must be if you don't speak English and don't have access to the internet or a mobile phone or money. My job seems pointless now I see how much work is needed in helping women.

I don't know about paid work, but Paladin is looking for volunteers if you're anywhere near London? Their main focus is stalking, but given how many violent relationships have that as an element, it might be of interest to you as being in a similar field. They also campaign on domestic violence. I'm a great admirer of Laura Richards, who founded it. I know volunteering isn't what you're asking for, but if it's a total career change for you, that might be the only, or the best way in.

Paladin

That looks really interesting freshwater and certainly something I would like to be involved in. My only issue is that I'm a single parent working full time with no family support so not sure who would have my son while I volunteered.

What about Women's Aid? I'm American and I know that domestic violence resources are organized differently in the US than in the UK, but there are people in paid employment who work for domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, including those who do fund raising and event planning for these and related organizations.

There are jobs in women's refuges and DV services. Things like counsellors, play workers etc. Unfortunately a lot of these jobs are always at the mercy of funding, which is an appalling state of affairs. There are fundraiser roles too.
What job do you do now? Any transferable skills?

What about voluntary police work?

I've been helped greatly by voluntary WPC. I'm sure hours are flexible.

Or you could donate to women's causes rather than work.

If you are happy to share your county people could be more specific, as funding is hit and miss! An IDVA maybe? Have a look at the local da charities, they will have paid staff.

I'm in London. Thank you for all of your suggestions, I'll be looking into each of them.

Become a magistrate? Not paid however.

Work in a women's refuge, that's my (paid) job

Ohholy what is your role in the women's refuge? Do you need qualifications?

Officially title is 'refuge support worker' so I take referrals, admit women, liaise with other agencies including SS, police, drugs and alcohol services, schools, benefits etc
Support women in 'relearning' what a healthy relationship looks like, how to parent in a non abusive household and sometimes how to be as safe as they can if they go back

Loads of stuff tbh!

I have a degree in a relevent field but it's not an essential, especially if you go in at maybe a support assistant role, experience and tbh 'people skills' are more important

Thanks ohholy. What's it like day to day? What kind of hours are involved and what is the pay like please?

I've only ever had office jobs so this is all new to me.

Some DV agencies have non 'frontline' jobs in their head offices eg PR, fundraisers.

Also, when agencies hold conferences, training etc it can be valuable to hear from women who have had first hand experiences, so something like that might give a chance to contribute to professionals understanding, but without taking up a lot of time?

Maybe have a look on the Refuge/ Womens Aid website.

I quite like this site

It's a global site, so you might find that jobs are few and far between in your particular area, depending on where you live, but there are a few jobs in the UK.

It's not quite as targeted as DV, but the jobs are generally in the NFP sector.

My sister has a graduate job with women's aid, they advertise on their website :)