News

In response to the Police perpetrated domestic abuse joint report from HMICFRS, CoP and IOPC, Ruth Davison, Refuge CEO said: Refuge is grateful to Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) for submitting this super-complaint and their tireless work fighting for improved criminal justice outcomes for survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG.) Refuge knows only too well how the criminal justice system routinely fails women and how the police fail to address violence against women and domestic abuse when it is perpetrated from within their own ranks. While this report finds that criminal investigation of police perpetrated domestic abuse is … Continue reading →

The New Statesman has released data indicating thousands of survivors of domestic abuse, child abuse and other crimes in the UK were referred for possible deportation after calling the police. In response Ruth Davison, Refuge Chief Executive Officer, said: ‘Refuge applauds our sister organisations across the women’s sector, and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants for their work to raise awareness of the barriers migrant women who are experiencing domestic abuse face. Insecure immigration status should never be a barrier to accessing support, and that migrant women, and those who have no recourse to public funds, are afraid … Continue reading →

Ruth Davison, Refuge Chief Executive Officer, said: “Today marks ten years since the UK signed the Istanbul Convention, an important piece of legislation offering protections to women across Europe, setting out minimum standards which European countries should adhere to in law to prevent and combat domestic abuse and violence against women. The Convention is the first legally binding instrument which creates a comprehensive legal framework and approach to combat violence against women and signing should have represented a ground breaking moment. Regrettably, the UK has yet to ratify the treaty despite adding its signature a decade ago. The government has … Continue reading →

Responding to the verdict in Depp v Heard, Ruth Davison, Refuge CEO said: As the largest specialist provider of support to women and children experiencing domestic abuse, Refuge is extremely concerned by the Depp-Heard trial. The verdict sends a chilling message to many survivors of domestic abuse that their experiences are invalid and open to public scrutiny. Refuge stands in solidarity with all survivors of domestic abuse and believes that all survivors must be believed and supported. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. We know that many survivors are already afraid to report the crimes committed against them. Survivors face … Continue reading →

Responding to the news that the Met has charged four attendees of the vigil for Sarah Everard, Refuge CEO Ruth Davison said: ‘We strongly disagree with this decision by the Met. After their application to appeal the judgement against them brought by Reclaim These Streets was refused for the second time, they should have sensed the public temperature and ceased any further action. With trust in the police incredibly low, it is absurd that the force is attempting to prosecute individuals who attended a peaceful gathering for a young woman who was kidnapped and murdered by a serving officer. The … Continue reading →

Responding to the Ofcom call for tech companies to do more to protect women online, Refuge CEO Ruth Davison said: ‘This is an important announcement from Ofcom which mirrors what Refuge has long been saying – that big tech companies need to do much more to protect women and girls from online harms and abuse. Right now, the Online Safety Bill is making its way through the parliamentary process. This Bill has the ability to make positive strides forward in addressing online Violence Against Women and Girls, but it is currently falling short. Refuge is disappointed that the Bill currently … Continue reading →

Refuge, the country’s largest single provider of specialist domestic abuser services, is delighted to announce journalist Ranvir Singh and actress Saffron Hocking as Ambassadors. Both have played an important role in highlighting domestic abuse and violence against women and girls in their respective fields. Ranvir, a prominent journalist, has covered stories on domestic abuse throughout her career, and Saffron, an actress, is currently playing Lauryn, in Top Boy, a young female character who experiences abuse. Ensuring domestic abuse is covered sensitively and accurately both in reporting and in popular culture helps both dispel the myths surrounding it, as well as … Continue reading →

In response to the publication of the draft Victims Bill, Refuge CEO Ruth Davison said: “The Victims Bill is an important piece of legislation which aims to put victim-survivors, back at the heart of the justice system, a move which Refuge welcomes. We are particularly pleased that the principles of the Victims Code will be enshrined in law, meaning survivors will now be provided with the necessary information to help them navigate and challenge the criminal justice system. However, there is still a long road ahead to making the criminal justice system work for survivors. Barriers are already high to … Continue reading →