LIAP Women and Violence TRUST

March 2014
Welcome to, the first and the last mini newsletter from LIAP (Women and Violence) Trust. From the end of March 2014 the Trust will officially cease to operate and we thought a mini newsletter would be a good way to:

Highlight some of our achievements Let people know where money we have raised has gone Thank everyone who has supported the trust over the years - Pauline Ellis, Chair LIAP (Women and Violence) Trust

Key Achievements: 1994-2000

LIAP (Women and Violence) Trust was set up in 1994 with the aim . to relieve the distress and suffering experienced by women who have been subjected to violence by men known to them, and of the children of such women. In particular, to promote the safety of such women and their protection from further violence by promoting the improvement of protection and support services for such women and their children through the provision of training, advisory and consultancy services.

The Trust made a number of successful funding bids that enabled vital work to be carried out, for example: The Evaluation of the Cluster Courts; Disabled Womens Service - providing training to agencies about disability and domestic violence issues and support directly to women; Good Practice Project, the work of which was later integrated into the Domestic Violence Team.

Held funds on behalf of agencies and organisations without the means to do so themselves.

Developed and provided National and Multi-Agency training which helped develop partnership working and income generated for the Trust.

Supported the 16 Days of Action - an annual campaign of '16 days of action against gender violence'. This takes place between November 25th (International Day Against Violence Against Women) and December 10th (International Human Rights Day). In the early days the Trust was actively involved in supporting conferences and event and designed a campaign leaflet to highlight domestic violence as a human rights issue.

In the following years the Trust provided a small grant scheme for groups to use towards activities that supported the aims of the 16 Days of action. Successful applicants have provided a range of activities:

Arts based drama, dance, art, music, poetry Publicity campaigns roadshows, radio interviews, outreach in local communities Workshops and seminars

Key Achievements: 2000-2006

Successful fund raising assisted work in Health Trusts and Curriculum Development work in schools. The Trust influenced the national agenda by contributing to consultations, for example: The Crime and Disorder Act; Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme; Stalking; Domestic Violence definition.

Employed a freelance consultant to develop and deliver specialist domestic violence training, Open College accredited. This acted as a means to income generate for the Trust.

Key Achievements 2006-2012

Last Resort Fund was set up with an initial grant and regular donations generously given by individuals. It is used to provide a means to preserve the safety and dignity of women who are fleeing domestic violence and have no recourse to public funds because of their immigration status. Eligible women and their children started to use the fund Sept 2010 and since then, 18 women have accessed the fund on at least one occasion. The type of assistance applied for has usually been related to general living expenses (in the absence of any other financial help) but it has also included specific funding for accommodation, childrens clothes and decorating equipment. Feedback from women accessing the fund and support workers referring in has indicated that the fund has made a huge difference to womens lives. In some circumstances, it has made significant impact on their ability to remain separated from the perpetrator and free of abuse.

And finally, 2014...

After 20 years the LIAP (Women and Violence) Trust cease operation. Thank you to all those people who have contributed to the work of the Trust that in turn, has helped to change the understanding of domestic violence and the strengthened the support available to victims.

What have we done with the money we have raised?

As part of the conditions of our Charitable Status any financial assets we have as we cease operation must be used for the purpose originally intended. To achieve this we have made the following arrangements: Last Resort Fund This fund has been transferred to Leeds Domestic Violence Service for administration to continue to support women who are fleeing domestic violence and have no recourse to public funds because of their immigration status. Donations Donations have been made to the following organisations who carry out work specifically dealing with domestic violence.

Crisis fund The remaining funds have been transferred to Leeds Domestic Violence Service. These funds are to be used to help women and children in need who do not qualify for help from the Last Resort Fund who are in crisis.

to everyone who has supported the trust over the years!