SAY Women was established in 1991 in response to CHAR research that found 4 in 10 young women who were homeless had become so due to sexual abuse. The research recognised the complex needs of young women in this position and the high risk of ongoing targeting from perpetrators due to their vulnerable circumstances.
We are a charity of women supporting women who are survivors of men’s sexual violence. Using the framework of the Judith Herman model: Establishing Safety, Mourning & Remembering, Reconnection and Move On, we operate the Social Model of support. This concentrates on the experience of abuse as the issue, and recognises that the behaviours that survivors have had to use, such as self-harm and anger, are coping strategies.
The support we provide is flexible and varies according to what each young woman needs, so she is always in control and can access the service at a pace that suits her.
The feminist analysis of MVAWC (Men’s Violence against Women and Children), often referred to as Gender-Based Violence, underpins all we do at SAY Women. We work from the basis and understanding that abuse happens due to the patriarchal society we live in. It is systemic (continues through system and governments, etc) and is a long way from being eradicated. At SAY Women we actively strive to protect and increase women's rights and women's equality socially, economically and politically - for our young women and as an employer.
SAY Women’s values run through every aspect of our attitude, approach and service provision, empowering young women, staff and those around them with:
Courage: Feeling the fear, yet choosing to act, speak out and stand up for what is right.
Compassion: Taking an understanding, kind, transparent, victim-focused approach to all we do.
Connection: Making the links, developing relationships with the Self, the community and the world around us.
