News

  EastEnders is working with Refuge and Women’s Aid on a domestic abuse storyline involving Chantelle and Gray Atkins. Chantelle and Gray moved to Albert Square earlier this year with their two children Mia and Mackenzie. As they settled into Walford, they seemed to have the perfect life. Gray, a successful solicitor and Chantelle a hair stylist, they were the vision of a young professional couple, deeply in love. However in tonight’s episode (Friday 12th July), viewers saw the devastating truth about what was happening behind closed doors. Gray attacked his wife the instant they were alone and it soon … Continue reading →

  Domestic abuse charity looks at the flipside of Father’s Day with its ‘Turn To Us’ campaign telling opposing stories in one poem Emotional poem shines a spotlight on child who witness and experience domestic abuse One in five children thought to be living with domestic abuse The poem tells a retrospective tale of a child remembering instances of domestic violence at the hands of his father when read in reverse Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic violence charity, has unveiled a hard-hitting poem to raise awareness of the physical, psychological and emotional effects of domestic violence on children. In the … Continue reading →

Sally Challen was convicted of murdering her husband Richard in 2011, following decades of emotional abuse. In light of a change in the law in 2015 recognising coercive control as a crime, Sally’s conviction was successfully appealed and overturned earlier this February; setting a precedent in terms of recognising the psychological impact of coercive control on victims. On 7 June 2019, prosecutors accepted Sally’s manslaughter plea ahead of a second murder trial scheduled for next month. She has been sentenced to nine years and four months for manslaughter but has been released due to time served. In response to the landmark … Continue reading →

Government vows to end ‘postcode lottery’ for victims of Domestic Abuse Councils in England will have a legal duty to provide secure accommodation for victims of domestic abuse under new plans announced by Theresa May. Sandra Horley, CBE, chief executive of Refuge, national domestic violence charity, says: “Refuge is delighted by the Government’s decision to place a legal duty on local authorities to provide funding for accommodation based support for survivors of domestic abuse. This has the potential to end the post code lottery for refuge places and could put these life-saving services on a secure financial footing for the … Continue reading →

In response to victims of crime, including rape, being asked to hand their phones over to police – or risk prosecutions not going ahead – Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of Refuge said: “It takes tremendous courage for a traumatised rape victim to go to the police after they have experienced rape or sexual assault. It is vital that the criminal justice system does not create more barriers for victims. “Refuge works with rape victims who have had their mobile phones taken from them, sometimes for more than a year and often without any explanation of how the police will use their messages, photos and … Continue reading →

PICTUREHOUSE AND REFUGE LAUNCH MAJOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGN Domestic abuse is the biggest issue affecting women and children in our society today Picturehouse and Refuge announce national partnership and awareness raising campaign Prominent national cinema charity advertising campaign – Hide and Seek – launches to bring this hidden issue from the shadows into the public domain £50,000 fundraising target by Christmas; the equivalent of 962 nights in emergency refuge accommodation From 19 April 2019, Picturehouse and Refuge announce the start of a three year campaign to raise funds and awareness of domestic abuse; an issue which affects one … Continue reading →

In response to the Government’s new violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy launched today (6 March, 2019), our chief executive, Sandra Horley, says: “Refuge welcomes the Government’s refreshed Violence Against Women and Girls strategy and its ongoing commitment to address violence and abuse; an issue which is experienced by one woman in four across the country and over 800,000 children every year. “Refuge has been a lead voice in highlighting the pervasive and pernicious nature of technological abuse experienced by so many women and is heart-warmed to see the Government giving this issue more attention in today’s strategy. Given … Continue reading →

Today (26 February, 2019) Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS) published an update report on the police response to domestic abuse. “Five years since the first report on police responses to domestic violence, the findings of the latest inspection sadly show there is still significant room for improvement. One in four women in the UK continue to be affected by domestic abuse in their lifetime, and two women are still killed by current or former partners every week in England and Wales,” said Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of Refuge. “It is important to note that there … Continue reading →

In 2011 Sally Challen was convicted of murdering her husband, Richard, and has since been serving an 18-year prison sentence. Yet, in light of a change in the law in 2015 recognising coercive control as a crime, Sally’s conviction will now be reviewed by the Court of Appeal on 27 February 2019. This landmark appeal could set a precedent in terms of recognising the psychological impact of coercive control on victims. In response to the appeal, Refuge’s CEO Sandra Horley, said: “One in four women in the UK from all walks of life will experience domestic abuse. You don’t have … Continue reading →