Safer Outer Hebrides aims to make it easier for women across the islands to find the help they need.
Every year, The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) hosts the Scottish Charity Awards to highlight outstanding work in the country’s voluntary sector.
And this year, the Western Isles Violence Against Women Partnership have seen their website Safer Outer Hebrides nominated for Campaign of the Year.
‘Absolutely delighted’
“We’re absolutely delighted,” says Angela MacLennan, manager of Western Isles Rape Crisis Centre (WIRCC).
The Western Isles Violence Against Women Partnership is led by Chair Dorothy MacDonald and co-ordinated by Marie Anne MacDonald.
It is a team that brings together “police, education, agencies like Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis, Action for Children,” and many other groups, including Comhairle nan Eileen Siar.
Ms MacLennan says the group noticed there was “no one place for accessing services” – and so the website Safer Outer Hebrides was born.
There are plenty of resources for women who need help in the Western Isles, but they haven’t been pulled together until now.
‘There was nothing like that here’
“It started off as a small idea, but it grew,” says Ms MacLennan. “And then we added a live calendar [to the website] with all different events happening in the community.”
“The aim is just to have everything in one place. There was nothing like that here. And there’s so much going on.”
Safer Outer Hebrides is designed to be a place where “anyone could go”.
“It could be a survivor, or it could be a family friend, or it could be another agency.”
‘A lot of misconceptions’
Safer Outer Hebrides also runs a social media campaign to help raise awareness of violence against women.
“There’s a lot of misconceptions,” Ms MacLennan says. “We want to provide a bit of information on what violence against women is.
“It’s not just physical – it’s financial control, sexual harassment, any form of intimidation.”
‘Small, close-knit community’
Having a resource like Safer Outer Hebrides is especially important in the islands, Ms MacLennan says.
Living in a “really small, close-knit community” can make it “really, really hard” for women who have experienced violence to come forward.
“You’re scared to go to the service in case you know somebody.”
Rather than “having to pick up that phone and make the first call,” Safer Outer Hebrides helps women to connect to low-pressure “safe spaces” where they can disclose any experiences when they feel comfortable.
For instance, Ms MacLennan says, “we run yoga groups for all women”.
“We’ve had people who have come in just for yoga, to come along to our safe space. But they’ve realised what the service offers and will say, well, actually, something’s happened to me.”
‘A safer community’
“We’re just hoping to create a safer community,” she says.
“We can show people, this is what there is for women here. This is what there is for young girls.”
The team hopes to “build that up a wee bit and empower people locally.”
‘So, so proud’
For an organisation so focused on a local issue, it means a lot to be recognised nationally, despite the “geographical separation from the mainland.”
“It’s just fantastic,” says Ms MacLennan.
“We’re so, so proud of the way things have developed with this website anyway. Marie Anne and the team have done an amazing job.”
“But then to get this nomination and the recognition this way, we’re absolutely thrilled.”
More local reporting from the Western Isles:
- ‘Voice of the landscape’: Local stories and worldwide inspiration take centre stage at Hebrides International Film Festival
- Feral on an uninhabited island, some dying from starvation: Uist campaigners bring St Kilda sheep concerns to Parliament
- Food insecurity and ferry delays: Local food growing strategy for Outer Hebrides
Conversation