“HOW SAFE ARE OLDER WOMEN IN HEREFORDSHIRE?”
PRESS RELEASE 21/08/23
Herefordshire Women’s Equality Group (HWEG) together with West Mercia Women’s Aid, West Mercia Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre, and Age UK are holding a free public event to debate the question “How safe are older women in Herefordshire?” The event is being held on Saturday 2nd September and will give a national and local perspective on older women as “hidden victims” of violence and abuse.
The multi-agency group organising the event want to raise awareness of older people’s experience of sexual violence, violence and domestic abuse which has for far too long been a neglected and taboo issue. Age doesn’t protect a woman from male violence and abuse and older women are often hidden victims. In the Femicide Census 2020, 22 women aged 66 and over (20% of all victims) were killed by men, with the oldest victim being 89 years old. Helen Richardson, from West Mercia Women’s Aid commented: “Sexual violence, violence and abuse in all forms can, sadly, happen to any woman anywhere, at any age. People are often shocked when it happens as they think it doesn’t happen to older women – but it does. We hope by asking the question “How safe is Herefordshire for older women?” we’ll highlight the barriers faced by older women, and raise awareness that women can be and are victims and survivors in need of help and support – no matter how old they are.”
Key speakers in the line up include Sue Coleman CEO of Women’s Aid, Jocelyn Anderson CEO of West Mercia Rape and Sexual Assault Support Centre, Sue Mosley CEO of Age UK Hereford & Localities, and HWEG’s Barbara Shore. This free public event will be chaired by Dr Jane McLean from HWEG and will include a question and answer session. It’s being held on Saturday 2nd September 10:00-11:30 at the Kindle Centre, Belmont Road, Hereford, HR2 7JE. All are welcome. Book in advance via Eventbrite https://bit.ly/3D5GsmP or visit Herefordshire Women’s Equality Group Facebook page or contact womensequalitygroup@gmail.com
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Contact for more about this story: Helen Richardson, West Mercia Women’s Aid Helen.Richardson@wmwa.org.uk