Hello! We are the swimming women @theswimmingwomen, a mother (Sallie) daughter (Ella) duo who love cold water and swimming. We have set up a huge challenge teaming up with other swimmers to help support ending violence against women, a cause we are all very passionate about. The challenge we have set is to swim 5km over 5 locations, one km in each location, and less mobile swimmers also have the option to complete 5 dips over 5 locations all happening in one day. This is a huge challenge for us as we haven’t ever completed this kind of distance however, we are so passionate about contributing to the incredible work Womens Aid does. We both have personal stories of emotional and physical abuse from a partner and have experienced the falling of our lives when leaving that partner, sometimes with no one to catch us.

‘One of the aspects of having experienced a violent relationship, is that it still impacts my ability to trust current partners. It has been very long road to navigating healthy romantic partners for me, as it is for thousands of other women who have left violent partners. I have directed my career to work in women’s health as I am very passionate about reducing the inequalities women face in many areas of our lives. This challenge is a massive physical challenge, but I am so motivated to keep going to support an essential organisation’ (Ella)

Globally, 1 in 3 women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual violence from a partner. This is estimated at 736 million women.

As many as 38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners.

One hundred and thirty-seven women are killed by a member of their family every day.

And since COVID-19, calls to helplines have increased five-fold in some countries.

Women are unsafe. Women experience violence ranging from the streets to their homes. But violence against women is preventable. Women’s Aid is an organization that pioneers the many functions that prevent violence against women. They do this by campaigning for policies and politics, providing life-saving safe spaces for women, working with survivors and so much more.

‘Being a mother of three girls I feel very strongly about
the education and support needed for women in violent situations. It is so very important for all to be able to have an open dialogue of domestic abuse to enable the support needed without judgement. This challenge is a big one for me, as being nearly 50 and having arthritis but I am going to give it my best shot!’ (Sallie)

Violence against women has been a continuous issue, however
since COVID-19 there has been increased risk and harm to those impacted by domestic violence. Data has shown that cases are escalating fast and becoming more serious. With children not at school, this also puts them at much higher risk in violent households without the proper safeguarding that school can provide.

So, this challenge is even more important to try and support victims, survivors, and professionals. The swimmers taking this challenge on with us are: 

Matty @iswim_and_iceswim who is swimming 5k over 5 locations.
‘Swimming this challenge of 5km over 5 different locations because both the help needed and the help given by Women's Aid support long term issues. 5km is a long swim. The need for that support is everywhere, be it in our own lives, on our street, in our town, on far flung holidays and in every part of the world. The 5 different locations for me represent has widespread the need for support for Women's Aid projects’

Alexa @bigbearlittlebear_adventures who is completing 5 dips over 5 locations. ‘I have worked with families impacted by domestic abuse as well as having personal experiences that make women’s aid a charity I feel strongly about. They offer a life changing service to so many vulnerable families. Over 61% of women killed in the UK die through domestic abuse. This statistic is increasing year on year. In recent years there have been several high-profile cases of women being murdered by partners in my local area, I feel very strongly about the services and charities who are trying to support these families need as much funding and promotion as possible.’

Tom @soulkiddy who is completing the 5k over 5 locations: ‘I
am hugely motivated for this challenge and to work with others on the team to achieve what is possible. I am a keen cold-water river ‘dipper’ but not as strong as swimmer so this will be great for me. I am strongly aligned with the aims of Women’s Aid. The trauma narrative is still hugely underplayed in health and social care and is something that has impacted mu own story and work as a GP. I am an ally and believe that we must start to nurture a safer environment for all women and significantly increase resources for those in crises as well
as embedding awareness in our society’.

Hazel @hazel.eleanor who is swimming 5k over 5 locations:
‘I've been dipping in rivers around the South West and Midlands this last year, it's really helped me improve my mental wellbeing and feel closer to nature. Swimming 5k is going to be a massive challenge for me. Women's Aid is an amazing charity to be supporting through this challenge, bring it on!’

A lovely artist @VictoriaWillmott has created a print of the swimming women and will be donating 10% of all sales to this cause!! https://victoriawillmott.com to purchase :)

Bring it on!!!