Shakti Women’s Aid is a domestic abuse support service based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It helps black and minority ethnic women, children, and young people who have experienced domestic abuse.[1] They work closely with the Scottish Government, Police Scotland, NHS Scotland, and other statutory and voluntary services. They provide helpline services for user and consultancy for other agencies.[2] In 1987, Shakti opened the first refuge for BME women in Edinburgh.[3]

Shakti Women's Aid
Formation1986
Location
ServicesDomestic Violence Support
Websiteshaktiedinburgh.co.uk

Shakti (the name means ‘the strength and power of women’) was established in 1986.[4][3] to work with women and children from minority ethnic and black communities who don't seek help from mainstream organisations because they feel that their particular issues are not understood.[citation needed]

The organisation is a member organisation of Scottish Women's Aid.[citation needed]

It has staff members who between them speak 18 different languages (including Polish, Mandarin, Swahili, Arabic, Urdu and Spanish), working in Edinburgh and the Lothians, Fife, Dundee and the Forth Valley. It also has a specialist children’s service.[2]

Shakti lead a number of campaigns to highlight issues for BME people in Scotland [5]

References

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  1. ^ "Edinburgh's largest domestic abuse support service reports surge in referrals as lockdown restrictions continue easing". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Shakti Women's Aid". shaktiedinburgh.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Case Study: Shakti Women's Aid". One Scotland. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Timeline of the Women's Liberation Movement". The British Library. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Event marks women's plight". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 6 March 2021.