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Refuge, the UKs largest domestic abuse charity, sees calls and contacts to its National Domestic Abuse Helpline rise by 120% overnight. Following significant media coverage of Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline, calls and contacts logged on the 06th April were up by 120% compared to the previous day. While this dramatic increase shows that more women are asking for support during lockdown it is important to recognise that lockdown itself is not a cause of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is rooted in power and control and stems from gender inequality. It does not occur by appointment – it happens all … Continue reading →

Responding to the Chancellor’s announcement today of a funding package for charities, in particular the £360 million for organisations providing vital frontline services, including those supporting survivors of domestic abuse, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: ‘Refuge is delighted with the Chancellor’s announcement today and its clear recognition of the life-saving work our frontline services carry out every day. Refuge saw a 120% increase in calls and contacts to its National Domestic Abuse Helpline on Monday, compared with the previous day – showing the sheer scale of need from women in the country today. … Continue reading →

Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic abuse charity says calls to its Helpline have risen by 25% since lockdown measures began. Isolation has potential to aggravate pre-existing behaviours in abusive partners but isn’t reason for abusive behaviour. As the UK enters the third week of lockdown measures, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: ‘Since the UK lockdown measures were announced, Refuge has worked round the clock to ensure its life-saving services remain open and accessible to any woman who needs them. Prior to the lockdown measures being introduced, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline run by … Continue reading →

Refuge and Chelsea FC join up to raise awareness of domestic abuse. Chelsea to gift match donations to national domestic abuse charity Refuge, in outstanding gesture of support. Refuge is delighted to have teamed up with Chelsea FC to raise awareness and much needed funds to support women and children experiencing domestic abuse during the current Coronavirus pandemic. Last year 1.6 million women in the UK suffered from domestic abuse. Reports from around the world show that the Covid-19 global pandemic has led to an increase in domestic abuse incidents during periods of isolation and lock down. Experts are warning … Continue reading →

In response to the video posted by Billy Joe Saunders, which appeared online over the weekend, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: ‘Videos like this reinforce what we already know: society’s attitude towards domestic violence simply has to change. Sharing content like this is as dangerous as it is shocking and we should call it out for what it is. Unacceptable. Almost one in three women aged 16-59 in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse at some point in her lifetime. Domestic abuse is never a joke. It should never be trivialised. Doing … Continue reading →

Refuge responds to reports of potential increase in domestic abuse during periods of lockdown and issues survivors guide. In response to reports about potential increase in domestic abuse across the country during periods of isolation, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of National Domestic Abuse charity Refuge said: “Refuge is concerned about the potential for incidents of domestic abuse to increase during periods of lockdown. We know that ordinarily the window of opportunity for women with abusive partners to make a call and seek help is often very limited. Now, it is likely that window has become even smaller. With this … Continue reading →

Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of National Domestic Abuse charity Refuge said: ‘1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse last year, and self-isolation has the potential to aggravate pre-existing abusive behaviours by perpetrators. ‘While in lockdown or self-isolation, women and children are likely to be spending concentrated periods of time with perpetrators, potentially escalating the threat of domestic abuse and further restricting their freedom. ‘Domestic abuse isn’t always physical – it’s a pattern of controlling, threatening and coercive behaviour, which can also be emotional, economic, psychological or sexual. Abuse is a choice a perpetrator makes, and isolation is already used by … Continue reading →

In response to today’s budget announcement, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: “Refuge is disappointed that despite announcing significant increases in Government spending in today’s budget, there were no announcements on funding for domestic abuse specialist services. Austerity cuts have decimated domestic abuse services – with Refuge seeing more than 80% of its services experiencing cuts in real terms. We welcome the commitment to funding for rape survivors and trialling the use of domestic abuse courts. However, the Government needs to fund a full suite of services with specialist services at its core, not … Continue reading →

Refuge joins the Duchess of Cornwall’s call for domestic abuse to be recognised as #EveryonesProblem Domestic abuse is the biggest issue facing women and children in the country today – almost one in three women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime The Duchess of Cornwall shines a spotlight on this insidious issue giving a keynote speech about the devastating impact of domestic abuse on hundreds of thousands of women’s lives Duchess of Cornwall shares her first ever hashtag #EveryonesProblem @ClarenceHouse Today, as celebrations begin ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday, the Duchess of Cornwall will give a speech … Continue reading →