About Leeds Women's Aid

Leeds Women's Aid (LWA) is a registered UK charity (number: 1005884)

Leeds Women's Aid was founded in 1972 by a group of feminist activists who were concerned about the lack of services to protect women and children experiencing domestic violence. Since then we have grown to become one of the biggest Women's Aid projects in the UK. We work closely with other Women's Aid projects across the UK. This means that if women need help and recognise that they need to leave Leeds to be safe, we can find them a space in a women's refuge in another part of the UK.

We are a women's organisation, run by women for women. Our aim is to protect women and children from the damage that domestic violence can inflict on their lives. We believe that women and children have the right to live their lives free from violence and fear.

We work in a non-judgmental and non-directive way, meaning that we don't tell women what to do. Instead we enable women to make decisions about their lives that help them and their children to lead safer lives. We believe what women and children tell us about their experiences and abuse. This is really important, as sometimes women and children aren't believed when they try to tell people about the abuse, meaning that it takes them longer to get the help that they need and they experience more abuse.

You may contact us here

• telephone helpline, available 24 hours a day, face-to-face or group support
• information about your rights and options
• access to safe accommodation outside Leeds if necessary
• emergency  temporary accommodation with space for 29 families
• help in dealing with housing benefits and the legal system
• referrals to solicitors, counselling and many other agencies
• support for past domestic abuse: refuge, drop-ins, floating support,  group support  
• support for professionals working with women experiencing violence