News and views

Border Women’s Aid becomes a member of the YouthBorders Network!

We are delighted at the news that our application for Full Membership of both YouthBorders and Youth Scotland has been approved. YouthBorders is the network of voluntary and community-based youth organisations in the Scottish Borders, supporting and promoting good quality youth work. Joining the network gives Border Women’s Aid instant access to peer support, networking events and opportunities, high quality training, and membership support services.

A shocking number of young women find themselves in abusive relationships; nearly half of all domestic abuse incidents reported to Police Scotland are experienced by girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 30.

Sadly, many young women often fail to recognise that their relationships are unhealthy. Sometimes, it can be hard to know as there are often mixed signals, and the signs can be subtle and hard to recognise. What seems to be romantic is often toxic.

Being a member of YouthBorders will help to us to reach out to more young women and help us to deliver our strategic aim to develop a specific service for 16 to 25-year-olds focussed on outreach and education. We hope to provide a service for young women that is relevant, structured, supportive, and with appropriate opportunities to allow young women, children and young people to make positive choices for their future. By raising awareness about domestic abuse and coercive control, and educating young people about healthy relationships, we will help to empower the younger generation.