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Awards

June 16th 2010 was a very proud day for SWACA.

Chief Executive, Lesley Paterson, travelled to London to receive the

Marie Claire Campaigner Against Domestic Violence Award.

Avon and Women's Aid in association with Marie Claire came together to create the

Empowering Women Awards as a platform to celebrate the achievements and bravery of women who have either been affected by Domestic Violence themselves, or who are working tirelessly in the field to support those who have experienced abuse.

There were three categories

Woman Survivor of the Year

Marie Claire Campaigner Against Domestic Violence

and

Grass Roots Hero

The Judging Panel was

Sarah Brown, Tana Ramsey, Reese Witherspoon, Trish Halpin (Editor of Marie Claire)

Anna Segatti and Nicola Harwin CBE

Lesley and Sarah Brown

Lesley receiving her award from Sarah Brown

Left to Right: Kerry Whincup (awarded Woman Survivor of the Year), Susan Ashcombe-Hurt (awarded Grass Roots Hero), Sarah Brown, Nicola Harwin CBE and Lesley.

Lesley, who was a founder member of SWACA, was selected for the award for showing a lifetime of committment to creating vital services and raising funds to support women and children who have suffered from Domestic Abuse.

The full story will be in the October issue of Marie Claire Magazine

Some of our other achievements to date:

In 1996, Chief Executive Lesley Paterson, was voted Soroptimists 'Woman of the Year'.

SWACA's contribution to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Merseyside Domestic Violence Working Group led to a nomination in the 'Policies and Cases' award category in the CPS National Equality & Diversity Recognition Awards 2003-04.  The Merseyside Group, which includes CPS, police and SWACA, had their work commended for being the first multi-agency training on Domestic Violence for the CPS in the country.

In 2003, SWACA was awarded a certificate of 'Good Practice' by Merseyside Police Authority.  The agency was nominated as an initiative making an outstanding contribution to crime reduction and community safety at Merseyside Community Safety Awards 2002.  SWACA continue to work in partnership with Merseyside Police.

Merseyside Women Making a Difference was awarded to us in 2003.

In 2007 the organisation was awarded the Community Heroes Award as 'Team of the Year'.