Culturally Sensitive Domestic Abuse Advocacy
If you are a victim or survivor of domestic abuse, honour based violence, forced marriage, rape or sexual assault seeking support in your own home or a safe place in the community we are here to help.
We support victim survivors by offering of:
- Access to a fully experienced staff who can provide confidential, empathetic and non-judgmental person centred emotional support to Sikh Panjabi victims of domestic abuse and sexual abuse.
- Support to access information to help you understand your rights and make informed decisions.
- Support to access legal support that can help support with court orders including Non-Molestation Orders, Restraining Orders, Child Protection Orders and Forced Marriage Protection Orders.
- Support from staff who have experience and expertise to help you identify and reduce risks and develop safety planning accordingly.
- Support from staff who can help you with things that may be worrying you like money and help you to seek job opportunities or apply for welfare benefits.
- Help you to understand your rights and options.
- Support to access temporary accommodation and move on accommodation.
Contact Us - if you wish to discuss any of the above
Free Culturally Sensitive Therapeutic Counselling
Sikh Women’s Aid (SWA) offers 8 to 10 free, culturally sensitive counselling sessions to Sikh Panjabi women and girls who have experienced domestic, sexual, or spiritual abuse. This therapeutic service is designed to create a safe and empowering space for survivors to begin processing trauma, regain self-worth, and rebuild autonomy without fear of judgment or cultural misunderstanding. Delivered by trained professionals who understand the intersection of faith, community expectations, and abuse, these sessions serve as a crucial lifeline for women navigating deeply traumatic experiences within a cultural context that often stigmatises disclosure.
The need for this tailored support is evidenced by SWA’s own research findings. According to their national survey, over 1/4 of Sikh Panjabi women and girls reported experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties as a direct result of abuse, with more than half stating they never disclosed the abuse to formal services due to fear, shame, and cultural pressure.
SWA’s work highlights the deep-seated psychological impacts of abuse, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, and the cultural and religious barriers that prevent many from accessing mainstream mental health support. By offering trauma-informed, faith-literate counselling, SWA fills a vital gap left by statutory services and provides a culturally appropriate pathway to healing and recovery.
This service reflects SWA’s wider mission to ensure that no woman or girl is left isolated or silenced by cultural taboos or systemic gaps in provision. In doing so, it not only supports individuals but also challenges the structures that allow abuse to persist unaddressed within communities.