Traveller Movement launches ‘Safe Space for Women’ Website

Press Release

Immediate release

Date: 09/03/2023

Traveller Movement launches ‘Safe Space for Women’ Website

The Traveller Movement have launched a new website to act as an online safe space for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller women and a key resource for professionals in the women’s sector. Complete with video resources and a text-to-speech function, this microsite offers accessible information about domestic abuse and safety options.

Based on themes and patterns identified through the direct advocacy that the Traveller Movement provides, the charity co-designed and developed a resource that is relevant and responsive to the needs and experiences of Traveller, Gypsy and Roma survivor.

The hub includes sections on social services, religion, shame and local support. The site has been launched following a year of development and collaboration with Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller women across  the UK.

To celebrate this launch, Traveller Movement will be hosting an event in parliament on March 27^th, 4-6pm. The charity will be joined by key agencies in the domestic abuse sector, local authorities, survivors and community members in order to send an important message: that support is available for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller women, and that their experiences matter.

Interim Chief Executive of SafeLives, Ellen Miller, said:   

“It is great to see this resource, created by and for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller women. The ‘Safe Space Women’ site speaks to and is informed by the lived experience of domestic abuse survivors from Traveller communities.

 

“We are always so encouraged by the work of expert services, meeting the unique needs of their users. Every person should be able to access the right support for them, at the right time – whoever they are, wherever they live.”

Tina McInerney, Traveller Movement Women’s Worker, said:

“We are proud to launch a microsite for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller women this International Women’s Day. This online hub highlights the support that is out there for survivors of domestic abuse and does so in a clear and accessible way – complete with video explainers and a text-to-speech function. That is why we’ve called this women’s microsite ‘a safe space for women’. I’m really looking forward to seeing it in action!”

ENDS

Contacts

Greg Sproston

020 7607 2002

Policymanager@travellermovement.org.uk

Notes to Editor

* The Traveller Movement (TM) is a national community development policy and voice charity who campaign against discrimination, promote inclusion, participation and community engagement for the Irish Traveller and Gypsy communities in Britain. TM is proud to work in partnership with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities together with service providers and policy makers across the UK to better promote social inclusion and community cohesion.

* Safer Lives is a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good.