History of Scottish Women’s Aid – Campaigning to End Domestic Abuse in Scotland
The Origins of Women’s Aid in Scotland
Women’s Aid began in Scotland in the 1970s. Its roots were in the Women’s Liberation Movement (WLM), a feminist social movement which emerged in many countries around the world (including Scotland) during the late 1960s.
They campaigned on issues including equal pay, free childcare, financial and legal independence, an end to discrimination against lesbians, free and safe access to abortion, and many other issues. In doing so, they challenged the way women were viewed and talked about in society.
The WLM in Scotland first emerged in Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Lerwick.
They also set up a range of organisations and groups which last to this day, including Women’s Aid.
The First Women’s Aid Groups
For some WLM activists, focusing on tackling violence against women was a way to take practical action to challenge women’s inequality.
This resulted in the first Women’s Aid groups being established in Scotland in Glasgow and Edinburgh in 1973. This was soon followed by Women’s Aid groups in Dundee, Kirkcaldy and Perth.
In 1976, Scottish Women’s Aid was founded as a national organisation to coordinate and strengthen the growing network of Women’s Aid groups across Scotland
Alongside supporting the network, Scottish Women’s Aid has become the national voice of the movement, undertaking research, providing legal and policy expertise, influencing public policy and legislation, and campaigning to improve protections for women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse. Since its inception, it has played a leading role in shaping Scotland’s response to domestic abuse while advocating for lasting social and legal change.
Shaping Scotland’s Response to Domestic Abuse
This timeline highlights key milestones in Scotland’s response to domestic abuse. Many of these changes were shaped, informed or championed by Scottish Women’s Aid’s decades of advocacy, expertise and collective action.
1970s: Building the Movement
1976: Scottish Women’s Aid was founded as the national coordinating body for the growing network of local groups (initially seven: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Falkirk, and Clackmannanshire).
By 1977: There were 15 refuges across Scotland.
1980s: Expanding Support
1981: The Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection)(Scotland) Act 1981 receives Royal Assent. It allows women to have their abusive spouse excluded from the matrimonial home.
1989: Rape within marriage is legally recognised as a crime in Scotland.
1990s: Influencing Policy
1990: Police guidelines are published on how to respond to domestic abuse.
1997: The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 is introduced, allowing for occupation and non-molestation orders to prevent perpetrators from using or threatening violence and harassment.
2000s: Strengthening Services
2000: Scottish Domestic Abuse helpline is established.
2003: Scottish Women’s Aid launches the Listen Louder campaign, giving voice to children and young people’s experiences of domestic abuse.
2010s: Driving Change
2015: The Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme allows people to request information from the police about their partner’s history of domestic abuse.
2016: Launch of Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline.
2019: The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 comes into force.
2020s: Continuing Our Mission
2024: Launch of the Fund to Leave pilot which helps women pay for the essentials they needed to support the costs of leaving an abusive partner.
2026: The second round of the Fund to Leave Pilot. Participating Women’s Aid services and the Women’s Aid central funding delivery service distributed Scottish Government funding to over 1400 women and their children located in Scotland.
Celebrating 50 Years of Scottish Women’s Aid
For five decades, Scottish Women’s Aid has supported women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse, campaigned for change, and worked towards a future free from abuse. While much has changed since the first Women’s Aid groups were established in 1973, our commitment to supporting survivors and challenging inequality remains the same.
Our 50th anniversary is an opportunity not only to reflect on our history, but also to look ahead to the future. See the SWA Strategy 2025-2030 for how we intend to shift power and practice to make change real for women and children in Scotland.
*Photographs courtesy of Glasgow Women’s Library.