Women Affected by Violence Have the Right to Safety, Support and Justice

Protecting women from violence means ensuring access to support when it is needed most, to services tailored to each woman’s needs, and to effective protection and justice mechanisms.

At the Women’s Law Centre (WLC), we provide women and girls affected by violence with legal, psychological and social support, enabling them to understand and exercise their rights, make informed decisions and regain control over their lives.

Our approach is centred on each woman and her individual needs. We respect the choices and pace of every woman we support and provide assistance regardless of whether she decides to access public services. At the same time, we work to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that institutions fulfil their responsibilities to protect women.

Legal Support for Access to Justice

Women affected by violence need not only to know their rights, but also to be able to effectively exercise them. WLC provides primary and qualified legal assistance to women experiencing violence against women and domestic violence.

Through the Green Line – 0 8008 8000, women can receive free legal counselling and information about their rights, available protection measures and the steps they can take when experiencing violence.

In cases requiring legal intervention, we provide support in accessing protection and justice mechanisms and, where appropriate, legal representation and assistance throughout legal proceedings.

Through our direct work with women, we also identify situations in which the response of authorities is inadequate or inappropriate. These experiences inform our recommendations for improving legislation and institutional practices and contribute to a more effective justice system that is responsive to the needs of women affected by violence.

Psychological and Social Support

Violence can have profound consequences for a woman’s emotional well-being, relationships, safety and ability to make decisions about her own life. Protection, therefore, cannot be limited to legal intervention.

WLC provides psychological counselling and social assistance tailored to each woman’s circumstances and needs. We support women in understanding their options, rebuilding their confidence and gradually overcoming the consequences of their experiences of violence.

We place women’s safety, dignity and autonomy at the centre of our interventions and seek to minimise the risk of retraumatisation when women access services and justice.

Economic Empowerment and Autonomy

A woman’s safety is also closely linked to her ability to achieve economic independence. Lack of income, financial dependence on a perpetrator or unemployment can make it difficult to leave a violent relationship and may keep a woman in a situation of vulnerability.

That is why WLC supports women survivors of violence in developing their economic autonomy. Depending on each woman’s needs and goals, this support may include career guidance, skills development, access to employment opportunities, vocational training or initiatives aimed at developing income-generating activities.

Through these interventions, we contribute to strengthening women’s financial independence and creating the conditions they need to build a life in safety and with greater autonomy.

A Woman-Centred Approach Based on Individual Needs

Every situation of violence is different. That is why WLC does not apply a one-size-fits-all solution, but adapts its support to each woman’s circumstances, needs and choices.

We provide comprehensive support that may combine legal, psychological, social and economic assistance. Where necessary, we work with relevant services and institutions to ensure that women receive a coordinated and effective response.

We respect every woman’s right to make her own decisions about the steps she wishes to take. Our aim is to provide her with the information, tools and support she needs to make informed choices and regain control over her life.

Protection and Accountability of Perpetrators

Protecting victims must be accompanied by a firm response towards those who commit acts of violence. WLC promotes the effective enforcement of legislation and accountability for perpetrators, ensuring that violence does not go without consequences.

Through our work, we contribute to identifying shortcomings in institutional responses, promoting effective protection mechanisms and improving women’s access to justice.

We believe that real protection means that women are heard, believed and supported; that they can access quality services and effective justice; and that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.

Safety, Rights and Autonomy

Through its work in the area of protection, WLC seeks to ensure that women affected by violence are not left alone in the face of abuse and can access the support they need.

We provide women with information, assistance and tools to exercise their rights, regain their autonomy and build safe lives. At the same time, we work towards a system in which violence is taken seriously, women’s rights are respected and perpetrators are held accountable.