Eaves Housing for Women

Eaves Housing for Women (Eaves) was a charitable company based in London. It provided support to vulnerable women, including female victims of domestic violence, sex trafficking or domestic servitude, and campaigned against prostitution.[1] The organisation also conducted research and lobbying.[2]

Eaves was the umbrella organisation for a number of projects including: "The Poppy Project", "The Scarlet Centre", "The Serafina Project" and "The Lilith Project".[3]

The charity closed in October 2015.[4]

Eaves Housing for Women
Founded1977
Registered company no 1322750
Registration no.Charity number 275048
FocusViolence against women, Trafficking, sexual violence, Prostitution, domestic violence, Women
Location
  • Unit 2.03 Canterbury Court, 1-3 Brixton Road, London
Coordinates51°28′51″N 0°06′38″W
OriginsFounded as Homeless Action and Accommodation
Area served
England and Wales
Methodresearch, lobbying, Accommodation, advocacy
Revenue
£5,382,778
Employees
48
Volunteers
30
Websiteeavesforwomen.org.uk

History

Eaves was founded in 1977 as "Homeless Action and Accommodation".[2]

Objectives

Eaves had three main objectives, to provide accommodation, support and advice to women and children fleeing domestic violence, prostitution, domestic servitude and sexual violence. Secondly, the charity lobbied and responded to relevant government papers. Finally it conducted research into prostitution, trafficking and domestic violence. In the longer term the aim of the organisation "is to be recognised as one of the leading agencies on violence against women issues in the country".[5]

The Poppy Project

In 2003 Eaves received government funding for a service to assist women trafficked for sex and domestic servitude, it was called the POPPY Project and based in London. It was the only UK Government-funded dedicated service for trafficked women. The POPPY Project provided accommodation and support services such as legal advice for the women it housed, and also outreach services for others. In its first six years it housed 215 women and helped a further 208.[6] The project was committed to ending all prostitution on the grounds that it "helps to construct and maintain gender inequality".[7]

In April 2011 it was announced that Eaves had lost its central government funding for the POPPY project, with the contract for helping victims of trafficking going to the Salvation Army instead. The reason given by government for the change of service provider was that the Salvation Army was able to offer "victims a more diverse range of services".[8] Former Labour Party MP Vera Baird criticised the decision suggesting women would not seek help from "uniformed male Christians".[9]

Lilith Research and Development

Eaves' subsidiary "The Lilith Project" campaigned to stop violence against women, studying issues such a lap dancing. A 2003 study of lap dancing and striptease in the London Borough of Camden by the organisation linked the opening of new lap dancing venues with an increase in reported rapes and stated reported rapes near to lap dancing venues were three times the national average.[10] The study and its conclusions were widely quoted by opponents of lap dancing venues. Other researchers including Dr Brooke Magnanti asserted that the Lilith study was "flawed" and Magnati published a study that concluded there is no "causal relationship" between such venues and an increase in sex attacks.[11]

Funding

Eaves Housing for Women received funding from a variety of sources including the Home Office, London Councils and a number of local authorities[5] In 2010 it had an income of over £5 million.[2]

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References
  1. http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article6922035.ece. Retrieved 26 April 2011. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. Charity Commission. Eaves Housing for Women, registered charity no. 275048.
  3. About us | Eaves
  4. "Closure of Eaves - another nail in the coffin for the women's sector? - Eaves, supporting vulnerable women who have experienced violence". www.eavesforwomen.org.uk. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  5. http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/DocumentList.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=275048&SubsidiaryNumber=0&DocType=AccountList
  6. "House of Commons - The Trade in Human Beings: Human Trafficking in the UK - Home Affairs Committee". Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  7. Prostitution and trafficking – the anatomy of a moral panic | UK news | The Guardian
  8. Trafficking project faces cuts after funding loss | News | Inside Housing
  9. "Labour candidate in Salvation Army 'male Christian' insult". Archived from the original on 18 April 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  10. Katy Guest: Lap dancing is seedy – but it's hard to say why - Commentators, Opinion - The Independent
  11. Lilith Project rape-lap dance link ‘is flawed’ says "Belle du Jour" Brooke Magnanti | Camden New Journal Archived 8 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
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