Solace Women’s Aid focuses on supporting women and children who’ve survived domestic abuse or sexual violence, predominantly across London but with an influence that reaches beyond. With roots stretching back to the 1970s, Solace has steadily evolved into a multi-service organisation that offers refuge accommodation, community-based outreach, advocacy, and a variety of therapeutic services. While their main mission is survivor wellbeing, Solace increasingly engages with family-law concerns, recognising how child contact disputes or financial abuse can prolong traum
Clients often arrive at Solace seeking immediate refuge from physical danger, but soon discover additional layers of support – Counsellors who can address emotional scars, or legal advocates who guide them through injunctions, divorce processes, and child-arrangement orders.
Solace caseworkers frequently accompany survivors to court, helping them feel safer and more confident. If a woman isn’t quite ready for legal proceedings, staff will still assist with safety planning and talk through options, emphasising that every survivor’s journey moves at her own pace. Meanwhile, for children who witness abuse, Solace offers specialist interventions, ensuring the next generation can heal from the trauma and avoid cycles of violence.
Key Services
- Refuges & Housing: Safe, confidential accommodation for women and children escaping abuse.
- Community Outreach: Support in one’s local area, including advice on finances, benefits, and basic legal steps.
- Children & Young People’s Services: Tailored therapeutic activities, building resilience in young survivors.
- Advocacy & Legal Support: Working with solicitors, securing Non-Molestation Orders, and preparing statements for court.
Why It’s Valuable
Solace stands out for its wraparound method – addressing not just physical safety but the psychological, financial, and legal ramifications of abuse. Their staff are deeply knowledgeable about the complexities of family law – particularly how abusers might use the legal system to perpetuate control. By offering emotional support, crisis housing, and legal advocacy under one umbrella, Solace Women’s Aid ensures survivors don’t have to navigate multiple agencies alone. Ultimately, it’s a lifeline for women determined to break free from violence but unsure how to handle the myriad challenges – legal or otherwise – on the path to independence
Website: https://www.solacewomensaid.org/
Registered Charity Number: 1082450