The Government’s welfare  reforms are already  impacting “massively” on  some of society’s most vulnerable  women.

According to workers at the  Huddersfield-based Kirklees WomenCentre,  there has been a rise in the numbers of women  reporting domestic violence and abuse.  And  cases of destitution are on the increase,  particularly among the refugee population.

Louise Warner, manager of Womenspace,  based at the WomenCentre in Lord Street,  explained: “Sixty per cent of our work is with  women who have suffered sexual abuse or  domestic abuse.  A lot of our work is with  women with complex needs.”

Her colleague Helen Hird, manager of the  Evolve project within WomenCentre, which  works with female offenders and those at risk  of offending, added: “Changes in the benefits  system have impacted massively on women  and children.  For example, we are getting an  increased demand for food parcels – 10 or 12 a  week, while it used to be only one or two.”

But it’s not just austerity measures that are  worsening the plight of women who seek help  from the service.  Since Womenspace was  launched 25 years ago the world has changed  and new threats have appeared.

For example, the insidious growth of internet  pornography, now so easily available on a  range of digital technology, is damaging the  lives of many.

“The problems caused by internet  pornography are massive for women,” said  Helen.  “A lot of the domestic abuse cases we  see arise because what people see online is  being put into practice.  Women are being  pestered to look and behave like the people in  porn.”

Louise believes that a new generation of young  men, growing up with instant access to images  of sex and violence – often one and the same –  are being desensitised.  “We’ve got to the point  where gang rape is seen as a bit of a laugh,”  she said.  “It’s deeply worrying. Women are  becoming more objectified.  Market forces and  the internet are determining so much.”

“Then there’s ‘sexting’ and the pressure on  young girls to send pictures of themselves  naked to boys,” added Helen.  “We try to do a  lot of work with young girls on this topic.”

Over the years Womenspace – now  amalgamated with women’s services in  Calderdale to form WomenCentre, with bases  in Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Halifax – has  grown to offer a wide range of services for  women’s health and wellbeing.

When it was launched 25 years ago it might  have been hoped that by the year 2013 –  following years of equality legislation –  demand for its services would have shrunk.

In fact the organisation now has all manner of  projects and self-help groups – helping women  of all ages and from all social groups with  everything from gender issues, eating disorders  and self harming to housing and substance  abuse.  They work with women who have been  sex-trafficked, tortured, raped and – almost  unbelievably in the 21st century – those who  have been victims of genital mutilation.

Helen explained: “Women have a range of  needs and issues, many of them quite  complex, and the philosophy here is about  being holistic.  You can’t compartmentalise  women.  We work on safeguarding, domestic  violence, risk of offending, help with getting  back into education and literacy. We are a  one-stop shop.”

 For the past three years the centre has had  £50,000 a year from Comic Relief to fund  therapeutic work with refugees and asylum  seekers,  some of whom have suffered  enormously. 

WomenCentre is now putting together an  on-line book, Women in Exile, of the  women’s experiences.

The centre also runs a group for women  separated from their children – mostly  because the youngsters have been taken into  care.

“When children are taken away the situation  is very child focussed,” said Louise.  “The  mother is put on the edge and ignored.  We  don’t judge them but we work with them and  we are getting a high percentage of them  getting their children back.”

By fusing Womenspace with its Calderdale  counterpart, WomenCentre achieved a  greater profile and power to influence change.  Its chief executive Clare Jones campaigns and  works nationally as a voice for women in  need.

“But there is still a glass ceiling,” says Louise.   “There hasn’t been a significant shift in  power. It made sense for us to join with  Calderdale women’s organisations because  now we have more clout.”

The WomenCentre organisation has 40 paid  part-time staff and around 60 volunteers,  including trained counsellors. It helps around  2,500 women each year and works closely  with other agencies.

THE WomenCentre in  Lord Street,  Huddersfield, runs a  regular Eating Distress  Support group for those  with disorders such as  bulimia, anorexia,  weight concerns, food  addictions or revulsion  to food.  Meeting once a  month the group offers  an awareness approach.   Individual coaching is  also available.  For  details calls 01484  450866 or email  louise.warner@womencentre.org.uk

VOLUNTEERS are always needed for Womenspace, part of the  WomenCentre charity.  The organisation could not survive without the  input of women from all backgrounds..  While many have skills and a  background in therapeutic services, full training is given to suitable  candidates.  For details contact the volunteer coordinator on 01484  450866.

Its bases are: 15 Lord Street, Huddersfield  (01484 450866); Silver Street, Halifax (01422  386500) and 7 Wellington Street, Dewsbury  (drop-in on Mondays from noon until 2pm).   More information is available from  www.womencentre.org.uk