A Fife charity is offering support online for women who have experienced domestic abuse

Saje Scotland has moved its Freedom Programme and Toolkit for Life programmes online to help women who are now free from abusive partners as well as those who are currently experiencing domestic abuse.

The charity has been able to offer the small group sessions via the video conferencing platform, Zoom, thanks to Foundation Scotland and the Resilience Fund which has donated three laptops to allow staff to work securely from home.

A number of women have already started taking part in the secure meetings with very positive feedback so far and the charity is hoping to expand its online capacity to support at least 60 women.

Saje Scotland, which has had contact with 18,000 abused women since its launch in 2014, aims to motivate survivors of domestic violence to live independently without fear of abuse, neglect and harm.

It is an opportunity for women from all backgrounds to work together through a programme which helps them understand what they have experienced, make positive choices about their life and take back control.

Janet Henderson, who co-founded and runs Lochgelly-based Saje Scotland, said they only started running the sessions a few weeks ago: “Some women who started with our face-to-face group meetings have now moved online and adapted to it no problem.

“Some women have had to learn how to use the technology but that has opened doors for them because now they have the confidence to download and use Zoom and it is reducing isolation. They can access services online now and get support.

“The women who have taken part so far think it is great.”

Janet said the lockdown has made the situation worse for many people experiencing abuse: “The abuse didn’t start because of lockdown, the abuse was going on already, instead the lockdown has intensified it.

“Before this women would have had their partners going to work or going out so they would have had some respite, but just now it is worse because it is 24-7.”

Janet added: “We are anticipating that when lockdown ends our service will be inundated with women contacting us for help. People who have been suffering abuse in silence will be saying ‘I just can’t do this anymore’.”

Visit: www.sajescotland.org or call 07909 482279 or 07887 248354.