A charity committed to ending gender-based violence has gone into liquidation following a “period of operational and financial difficulty”, Third Sector has learned.
Against Violence & Abuse, which was registered as a charity in 2010, offers training, resources and consultancy work to improve UK services for survivors of violence against women and girls.
The charity recorded £1.2m in income for the financial year to the end of March 2023, according to its latest accounts filed with the Charity Commission.
The same accounts show an average count of 14 employees, three trustees and 10 volunteers.
A statement from the charity’s board sent to its supporters, seen by Third Sector, said AVA’s board had “unavoidably resolved to place the organisation into liquidation” following advice that it is “technically insolvent”.
It said: “The decision to close has been a difficult one, and comes following a period of operational and financial difficulty that the charity has tried to work through.”
The statement said the charity would close with “immediate effect”.
It added that trustees had taken specialist insolvency advice in reaching the decision and are currently working with a nominated liquidator to plan an orderly wind-down of AVA’s operations.
It said: “Today, we look around and see a strong, passionate women’s sector, voicing the needs of those they support and recognised for their expertise.
“We are sorry AVA cannot continue to be a part of this journey but expect many of the staff and the trustees will continue to show their dedication to the sector in a variety of ways.”
It added that the charity recognises that for the sector, “many challenges remain, not least financial”.
The charity thanked its staff, partners, experts by experience and funders for their support over the years, and added that it will seek to close as “gently as possible” to minimise any adverse impact on everyone involved.
At the time of this article’s publication, AVA’s website is still live and showing dates for several upcoming training courses and events. The charity’s social media channels do not mention the closure.
AVA has not responded to Third Sector’s request for comment.