Cambridge Women's Aid

Who we are

Since 1977, Cambridge Women's Aid has been offering dedicated and specialist services to women and children affected by domestic abuse. We support hundreds of survivors each year, providing safe accommodation for families fleeing domestic abuse, as well as ongoing emotional and practical support as they rebuild their lives independently. Our support is free, flexible, independent, open-ended, and always led by what women tell us they need.

Our culture and values

CWA aims to offer information, advice and practical as well as emotional support to victims of domestic violence, and to provide safe and secure accommodation to women and their children who are fleeing domestic violence.

CWA has extensive experience in all matters relating to domestic violence and understands the complex needs of women and children who have experienced this abuse. We are able to offer free and confidential help to women, irrespective of whether they are living in the refuge, in areas such as legal protection, housing and benefits.

CWA is a feminist organisation founded in 1977. CWA functions on the basis of the following principles:

Respect for equal rights

with special emphasis on counteracting all forms of discrimination, be they on basis of gender, sexuality, race, class, age, religion or disabilities.

Respect for the rights and needs of children

including their right to a non-violent and non-abusive environment.

Respect for the right to privacy

with special emphasis on preserving confidentiality in all cases.

Respect for the need to ensure the safety and security of the refuges

offering a strictly non-violent environment and protecting the confidentiality of its addresses

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

CWA is a feminist organisation committed to equal opportunities and a fairer society where everyone has the opportunity to fulfill their potential. CWA believes that strengthening the women’s sector helps challenge discrimination against women and improves the lives of women, and we acknowledge the expertise of women’s organisations.

CWA will:

• actively challenge discrimination
• ensure that all staff, volunteers and service users are treated fairly
• make sure that our activities and services are truly accessible to all women and children who might benefit
• work collaboratively with other organisations to address inequality 
• work to promote an organisational culture of diversity
• strive to ensure that the profile of trustees, staff and volunteers reflects the wider communities within which we operate