A Herstorical Perspective

The Asian Women’s Resource Centre and a refuge project ASRAA began in the 1970’s with urban grant aid funds and a grant from social services. It was set up in a similar way to other sister organisations, where a group of Asian women came together to address issues of domestic violence that mainstreams organisations were not meeting at the time. These inequalities stemmed from racism, lack of cultural understanding, language support, lack of awareness of domestic abuse and inadequate welfare provisions.

In 1980 the Centre became independent from the refuge and became known as the Asian Women’s Resource Centre in its own right. Through these premises the AWRC provided advice, support and information on various issues such as; immigration, nationality, advice on domestic violence and Gujarati classes. Over the years, the services involved, several funding applications were made by the AWRC, and eventually a successful funding proposal for premises was submitted to Harlesden City Challenge board. We are now based at 108 Craven Park, Harlesden, a three storey building which was leased to the organisation for 120 years in 1997.