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Dear Sally,
It will not have escaped your notice that the UK Government is holding a Referendum on the UK’s EU membership on Thursday 23rd June. Through all of the debates, arguments and campaigns Women’s Aid is concerned that the impact of EU membership, and whether we stay or leave, on survivors of domestic abuse and the services that support them has been overlooked. Our role at Women’s Aid is to identify any upcoming potential risks to survivors on a range of political issues, and we feel that the result of EU Referendum poses a potential risk to the on-going safety and security of survivors of domestic abuse and the services that support them. We have been working hard to think about how best to respond as an organisation and of course are fully aware of the provisions of the Lobbying Act and the Charity Commission guidance.
In light of the potential impact of the vote on our beneficiaries, we have taken a decision to publicly state Women’s Aid’s position that we believe remaining a part of the EU is the safest option for our members and for survivors. The EU has played a crucial role in promoting and protecting women’s rights and has made a notable contribution to combating violence against women, actively encouraging member states to address VAWG and promoting gender equality in their countries. The legislative and other policy measures the EU has introduced have benefited women in the UK and could potentially be in jeopardy if the UK leaves the EU.
We ARE NOT supporting the ‘Remain’ or ‘Leave’ campaigns, nor are we supporting a particular political party. We are NOT publicising our position to influence how members of the public vote. We are stating the facts around the UK’s membership of the EU in relation to violence against women to ensure that these important points are represented in the debates.
The Charity Commission guidance on charities’ involvement in the EU Referendum debate provides clear information on any engagement by charities in the EU Referendum, so there are some important points to note as members of Women’s Aid. If you are associated with Women’s Aid on your social media we are requesting that you refrain from commenting on those platforms on the activities or messages of either the Remain or Leave campaigns. Similarly as your organisation is a member of Women’s Aid we are requesting you do not publicly promote (in person or on social media) views or interests that directly contradict Women’s Aid’s position (eg, tweeting your organisation’s support for leaving the EU).
We will be publishing a blog and carrying out some social media on this issue on 6th June, if you are able please do join us in the debate by sharing the blog and re-tweeting our tweets on this issues.
Please contact Sian Hawkins, Campaigns and Public Affairs Officer, for further information or if you have any queries or concerns.
Best wishes,
Polly

This year's AGM was held on 31st October at the Zoya restaurant Leeds Road. The event highlights were a unique performance of 'Walking in the Fog' a poem written and performed by Michelle Blum about her own personal experiences of domestic abuse interpreted by Rashmi Sudhir through the use of mime and expression which are elements of Indian classical dance poetry; A speech by Jalna Hanmer from Feminist Archive North (FAN) and moving, personal testimonies from service users.