• Swindon & Wiltshire Social
• Friday February 28 2025
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Queen hears about Wiltshire’s work to tackle Domestic Abuse

The Queen has met with Wiltshire campaigners to find out about the drive to tackle violence against women and girls.

Queen Camilla met with the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Group for Wiltshire at Bowood House on Monday (February 24).

The event was hosted by the Marchioness of Lansdowne, with the Lord Lieutenant Dame Sarah Troughton and High Sheriff, Dr Olivia Chapple, and Her Majesty engaged with key members of the group, including Carole and Matthew Gould, parents of Ellie Gould, who was murdered in 2019.

Representatives from the judiciary, law, education, the police, business leaders, and the voluntary sector discussed their collective efforts to combat domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Key initiatives delivered by the EVAWG Group over the last 12 months include a partnership with the Women’s Institute, which aims to engage 100 members of the Wiltshire WI as community champions, trained to identify and support those affected by domestic abuse and gender-based violence.

Trained domestic abuse support staff located within Gable Cross Police Station engaging with those arrested for domestic abuse crimes, improved court experiences for survivors of domestic abuse, lobbying for tougher sentencing, sustainable front-line service funding, education programmes for young people and an allyship event for business leaders held at Swindon Town Football Club to raise awareness and call for action.

Vice chair of EVAWG Wiltshire, and chair of Society Without Abuse, Nicky Alberry, said: “Over the last year, we’ve driven real change—prevention programmes in schools, critical support for survivors, advocacy at local and national level, and stronger partnerships to accelerate impact. Together, we can end domestic abuse and sexual violence in Wiltshire.”

Jennie Shaw, co-founder of EVAWG Wiltshire and director of Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, reinforced the importance of collaboration: “We are delighted to have had this opportunity to brief Her Majesty the Queen on our mission and progress made to date.

“Our meeting highlights the power of united action. Through partnership working and with continued commitment, we are creating lasting change for individuals, families, and communities and we will not stop until we have eradicated gender-based abuse and violence.”

Addressing the stark reality that only two per cent of UK charitable giving supports women and girls, Wiltshire Community Foundation updated on the launch of their Women and Girls Fund.

Joint CEO Fiona Oliver said: “Through our Women and Girls Fund we are already supporting a range of organisations delivering vital projects: Salisbury Women’s Refuge; Fear Free; Escapeline; Mighty Girls; First Light; All Yours Period Box and Society Without Abuse.

“These critical organisations provide safety, care, dignity, and hope—essentials every woman and girl deserve.”

The Foundation also supports women and girls through their bursaries, vocational grants and start-up funding for young entrepreneurs. Providing hope of financial independence, a future with choices and freedom to make those choices.

There is a chance to find out more about Wiltshire Community Foundation’s Women and Girls Fund at a networking event co-hosted with law firm Wansbroughs next Friday.