Support for the Early Warning Signs Campaign Refuge's early warning signs campaign is being supported by a number of high profile celebrities, individuals and organisations: Roxanne Pallett, Jo Sugden from Emmerdale who is currently experiencing domestic violence “Portraying a victim of domestic violence has been the biggest challenge I have ever faced as an actress. Just playing the role has taken a huge emotional toll on my life, but it is nothing compared to the pain, fear and torment experienced by the hundreds of women Refuge supports every day.  It’s horrific to think that two women are killed every week in England and Wales by their current or former partner, but I truly believe that the more women who know about Refuge’s early warning signs campaign, the more lives can be saved. The warning signs of domestic violence became evident in the Emmerdale storyline some time ago. Andy began by gradually isolating Jo, stopping her from making friends, questioning her about where she was going and what she was wearing and constantly expecting her to answer for her actions. By the time the physical violence began he already had Jo under his control – hitting her was yet another technique to make her more frightened, more scared and more alone. Jo is a strong and feisty character, but the abuse she is experiencing is wearing her down and eroding her self confidence, so even when people try to help her, she is too scared and manipulated by Andy to reach out for help. I know from my work with Refuge that the ‘walking on egg shells’ life that Jo is leading is all too common for so many women. I have no doubt this campaign will give strength to many women who may be experiencing abuse now, or who may do so in the future, to reach out and get help. Refuge’s campaign will save lives.” 
Wendy Turner Webster "I suffered domestic violence from the age of 17 - 24 from my then partner. I was too young and naive to see it for what it actually was; not the normal goings on of a healthy and loving relationship but a wicked crime which robbed me of a normal and happy life for all those years. Refuge's new campaign can help young women from becoming trapped by abusive partners and thus avoid a life time of bitter memories and mental scars." Mica Paris “Tell your sisters, daughters, friends and colleagues - every woman you know - about the early warning signs of domestic violence. You could save a life.” Cherie Booth QC “Refuge’s campaign is a warning siren to all women, no matter what their age or background. Everyone has the right to live free from control and violence. Don’t ignore the warning signs of domestic violence.” Ruby Wax “I support Refuge’s warning signs campaign because I believe that prevention is better than cure. If Refuge can show women that the control and emotional abuse they are experiencing is very likely to become worse, we may be able to prevent them from having to experience the pain and torment of domestic violence. We could save lives.” Jo Brand “If just one woman recognises the warning signs of domestic violence and finds the courage to get in touch with Refuge then that is potentially one life saved.” Patrick Stewart “Domestic violence kills two women a week and thousands of women in the UK experience violence and abuse on a daily basis. Refuge’s early warning signs campaign can help women recognise a potential abuser and save them a lifetime of misery and abuse. Domestic violence is an abuse of power and is against the law. Contact Refuge who will give you confidential help and support.” 
Fiona Bruce “I hope that Refuge’s campaign will alert as many women as we possible to the early warning signs of domestic violence. I hope it impresses upon them, and the public in general, the extreme seriousness of this crime.” Helena Bonham Carter “We owe it to all of our daughters to make sure they know about the warning signs. It’s a horrible fact that whatever our background we are all vulnerable to potential abuse, even from where we least expect it.” Professor Liz Kelly Chair of the End Violence Against Women (EVAW) Campaign "These findings confirm what EVAW has been saying for several years - that the Department for Children, Families and Schools needs to join cross-government work on violence against women. Providing quality information to young people would improve their current score of 1 in 10 in our yearly audit."
www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk Heather Harvey Amnesty International UK stop violence against women campaign manager "What more does it take for Government, and particularly the DCFS, to really get to grips with violence against women? That means preventative and early intervention work as part of an integrated strategic approach to violence against women - we don't just want criminal justice responses after the damage has been done, we want proper resourcing and support for women's organisations providing frontline services but most importantly we want to prevent the violence in the first place and that has to start young."
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