News

Ruth Davison. Refuge CEO said: ‘During 16 days of activism the Metropolitan Police made more than 1500 domestic abuse related arrests. This shows the sheer number of women who are experiencing abuse and the need for the police to act swiftly and with rigour.. We also know that these arrest numbers only scratch the surface as the vast majority of women will never report to the police. But while we are pleased that these victims of crime saw action being taken, what this shows is that, in line with what Refuge has long been calling for, Violence Against Women and … Continue reading →

In response to the report of the Joint Committee on the Draft Online Safety Bill, Ruth Davison, Refuge CEO said: “The Online Safety Bill offers a welcome opportunity to improve the safety of women and girls online and introduce much needed legislation in a currently underregulated landscape. Whilst this report from the Joint Committee scrutinising the draft Bill shows initial promise, recognising the huge prevalence of online violence against women and girls (VAWG) and domestic abuse perpetuated online, Refuge is disappointed our call for VAWG to be at the centre of the Bill hasn’t fully been reflected. Refuge urges the … Continue reading →

Responding to the launch of the Victims Bill Consultation, Refuge CEO Ruth Davison said: ‘Refuge welcomes the publication of this important consultation and the ambition expressed by the government to improve outcomes for victims of crime and committing to ensuring that they will be ‘better heard, served and protected. However, the ambition of doing better for victims and ensuring that none feel unsupported must be matched with action. Specialist services must form the cornerstone of a victim-centred, trauma-informed response to violence against women and girls. Refuge is disappointed that the commitment to ensuring vital community-based services can operate on a … Continue reading →

Refuge and The Co-operative Bank launch cross-sector commission into impact of online banking on those experiencing economic abuse Commission launched to conduct cross-sector review into the impact of online banking on those experiencing economic abuse More than one in seven people in the UK (16%) identify as having experienced economic abuse in their current or former relationship – 24% of which said current online banking systems made them more vulnerable to perpetrators. One in 10 people who experienced economic abuse said their partner used online banking to take money from their accounts and monitor their spending without their consent. However, … Continue reading →

Refuge announces Survivor Ambassadors to mark 50th year, empowering women and children to live a life free from domestic abuse. As Refuge marks its 50th Anniversary, reflecting on half a century of supporting women and children against domestic abuse, and providing lifesaving and lifechanging services, Refuge is proud to announce newly appointed survivor ambassadors. Survivors are at the heart of Refuge’s work, inspiring and courageous individuals who have lived experience of domestic abuse and work alongside Refuge to implement much-needed change and raise awareness of the biggest social issue impacting women and children today; violence against women and girls (VAWG.) … Continue reading →

50 years on domestic abuse is getting smarter: Refuge brings into sharp focus the rise of tech abuse on 50th anniversary with launch of new ad campaign. Refuge has seen a 97% increase in number of complex tech abuse cases compared to the first three months of 2020 In the last 50 years, Refuge’s job has got harder as the progression of technology has made abuse smarter and easier Refuge has created a compelling multi-platform campaign to raise awareness of insidious, growing tools of tech abuse Watch the ad on YouTube Today, Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic abuse charity, marks … Continue reading →

Refuge: Recognising 50 years of supporting women and children against domestic abuse Refuge are to hold a 50th Anniversary Art Auction at Bonhams. Fifty years on from the world’s first refuge being set up in Chiswick, West London in 1971, Refuge reflects on the last fifty years of a growing raft of life-saving services, whilst working hard to empower women and children who experience domestic abuse. As Refuge marks this milestone 50th Anniversary, demand for its services is higher than ever before, and fundraising remains a pivotal aspect of the charity’s work, which is essential to keeping its vital services … Continue reading →

On International Internet Day, Refuge launches ‘Unsocial spaces’ – a report on the online abuse of women and says social media companies, and other online platforms, are ‘failing to protect women and girls from abuse.’ Report calls on the government to explicitly include Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in the Online Safety Bill to compel platforms to act. More than one in three UK women (36%) have experienced online abuse on social media or another online platform. This is equivalent to 11 million women across the UK. 1 in 6 of these women experienced this abuse from a partner … Continue reading →

In response to today’s Autumn budget , Ruth Davison, Refuge CEO said: ‘This is a disappointing budget. Despite the governments very public commitments to addressing and responding to domestic abuse and wider Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), the Autumn budget announced by the Chancellor today contains very little detail on the level of funding for vital, specialist service providers that support survivors of domestic abuse and other forms of VAWG. While it is positive that funding to increase the number of Independent Sexual and Domestic Violence Advocates has been announced, Refuge is disappointed that there appear to be no … Continue reading →