Increasing Female Representation in Trades for Domestic Abuse Refuges

Domestic abuse charities in the UK are increasingly seeking female tradespeople to perform maintenance and renovation work in refuges, responding to the unique needs of their residents. This shift is driven by the recognition that male contractors can trigger distressing memories for survivors of abuse, making it essential to create a comfortable and safe environment.

The Guardian

The construction industry in the UK remains predominantly male, with women comprising only about 4% of the total trades workforce as of 2021. Despite this, the number of tradeswomen has grown by 41% since 2006, with regions like the West Midlands leading at 4.4%. The rise in women pursuing construction and engineering apprenticeships, which increased by 73% from 2019 to 2022, indicates a gradual shift in this landscape.

The Guardian

TaskHer, an online directory of tradeswomen founded by Anna Moynihan and her husband in 2021, aims to address the unmet demand for female tradespeople. The initiative emerged from personal experiences of frustration with male contractors and has since expanded to support domestic abuse charities like Refuge, which is actively working to integrate more female workers into their operations.

The Guardian

The presence of female tradespeople in domestic abuse refuges is crucial for fostering a sense of safety and comfort among residents. Lisa Cantwell-Hope, head of property services at Refuge, emphasizes that having female contractors can significantly ease the anxiety of survivors, allowing them to feel more at home in what are essentially their living spaces. This approach not only addresses practical maintenance needs but also contributes to the therapeutic environment necessary for recovery.

The Guardian

Despite the positive developments, challenges remain. Erin, a 26-year-old electrician working with Refuge, notes that while the number of tradeswomen is increasing, sexism persists in the industry. She recounts experiences of being monitored by male colleagues and highlights the slow pace of change in a traditionally male-dominated field.

The Guardian

Moynihan reflects on the broader implications of this initiative, stating, “It wasn’t necessarily about convenience, it was about creating an environment that the women who are living in their refuges would still feel safe in.” This sentiment underscores the importance of adapting services to meet the specific needs of vulnerable populations.

The Guardian

• “The presence of men can be distressing and could trigger past traumas for our survivors,” — Lisa Cantwell-Hope, Head of Property Services, Refuge

The Guardian

• “If you can make anyone feel more comfortable in a situation, why wouldn’t you want to do that anyway?” — Erin, Electrician

The Guardian

• “It was really frustrating.” — Anna Moynihan, Co-founder of TaskHer

The Guardian

As the demand for female tradespeople grows, initiatives like TaskHer aim to expand their reach beyond London, potentially increasing the availability of female contractors in domestic abuse refuges across the UK. This expansion could further enhance the safety and comfort of survivors in these critical support environments.

The Guardian