Improving and promoting rights, justice and action for women and girls

This International Women's Day the theme is 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls. In key areas of life, including work, money, safety, family, property, business and retirement, women are disproportionately disadvantaged, with harmful social norms creating barriers towards equal justice. Without justice systems that work for women, rights become a promise that never arrives. Together we can fight for the rights and empowerment of all women and girls. 

This year we will be marking and celebrating International Women's Day, with a focus on spotlighting women's services and Integrated Support Services (ISS) in the Respect membership, which offer vital support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.  

Services that are Respect-accredited for their work with perpetrators of domestic abuse have two components: the intervention for domestic abuse perpetrators and the support service for those who have experienced or are experiencing abuse by the perpetrators on the intervention. This second part is called the Integrated Support Service (ISS) and the two components work together to enhance the safety and freedom of victims and survivors.  

The ISS is an integral part of the perpetrator intervention and is offered to all victims and survivors at risk of abuse from the perpetrator, unless this compromises their own safety. Victims and survivors are offered trauma-informed and responsive services that are led by their needs in a safe and supportive space. The ISS works in partnership with other specialist services to ensure that the safety and needs of the victim and survivor are met. It is a vital pillar of our accreditation framework, the Respect Standard, which supports safe, effective and survivor-focused work with perpetrators of domestic abuse.  

For International Women's Day, we will be showcasing how the work of Respect members and the provision of the ISS improves and promote rights, justice and action for women and girls affected by domestic abuse. 

Can you tell us a bit about the services you offer and who they are for? 

Wearside Women in Need (WWIN) Specialist Domestic Abuse Services has supported people impacted by abusive behaviours across Wearside since 1983.  As Sunderland’s commissioned domestic abuse service, WWIN work with all victims- survivors while recognising the disproportionate impact of abuse on women and girls.  

The organisation offers one-to-one advocacy, safe accommodation, adult and children’s counselling, groupwork and a confidential helpline, alongside support for friends and family. They also help those wanting to stop the harmful behaviours that they use in their relationships through the Make a Change programme, delivered by WWIN project Right Turn.

Rooted in feminist values of equality, safety and justice, WWIN’s aim is to promote long-term independence for victim-survivors while supporting meaningful behaviour change and accountability for those responsible for harm. 

Why do you think providing an Integrated Support Service (ISS) is important? 

Our Integrated Support Service (ISS) is part of our victim services at WWIN, providing victim-survivors, including children, with specialist support while ensuring they remain in control of the support they receive. ISS is vital for our Right Turn work, offering support to anyone impacted by an individual’s harmful behaviour, including those who may not yet realise they’ve experienced abuse. 

It helps us monitor risk, assess whether abusive behaviours are continuing, and place survivor safety at the centre of all interventions. ISS also gives genuine insight into how programmes are experienced and the real impact on victim-survivor lives. Working with Respect, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Sunderland City Council, and multi-agency partners, ISS promotes accountability and aims to reduce the likelihood of further harm in the community. 

How does your work improve and promote rights, justice and action for all women and girls? 

We stand alongside women and girls through an empowerment model, helping them navigate their experiences by listening, explaining their legal rights, and providing education and connection with other victim-survivors. Through Right Turn, we work with those using harmful behaviours to safeguard families, and give all victims a voice.

We also co-deliver Make a Change's Recognise, Respond and Refer training, equipping Sunderland’s workforce to identify harmful behaviours, have safe conversations, and connect people to the right support. By working together in partnership across our community, we challenge abuse, promote accountability and behaviour change around harmful behaviours, and create safer futures for women, children, and families.