News

Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic violence charity says 72% of service users experience abuse through technology and launches chatbot to provide real-time information to survivors Launch coincides with ‘Tonight, Tech Abuse: Stopping the Stalkers’ with Julie Etchingham on ITV at 7.30pm Refuge has today launched an online chatbot which aims to provide safe and accessible information to thousands of women across the country experiencing abuse through technology. In 2019, 72% of women who accessed support from Refuge services identified experiencing tech abuse, which can range from persistent telephone calls from perpetrators, being targeted via social media, having their location tracked … Continue reading →

Ahead of the Queen’s Speech today, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: “Refuge eagerly awaits the Queen’s Speech, which will outline the Government’s agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session. It provides a new opportunity for the Government to reaffirm its commitment to ending violence against women and girls by reintroducing and strengthening the Domestic Abuse Bill. This is needed now more than ever. “The Bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the response to domestic abuse, but was unfortunately waylaid due to the snap election. Refuge hopes that the Speech will include the Bill, … Continue reading →

In response to the CPS Inspectorate review today, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of National Domestic Abuse charity Refuge said: Today’s report is truly shocking and is yet more evidence of the criminal justice system failing to protect women. What kind of message does the poor rate of prosecutions send to survivors of sexual assault? That they are not credible, that their experiences are not valid? That there is no point in reporting and going through the painful and traumatic experience of seeking justice against rapists? Women need to have confidence that they will be protected. Furthermore there needs to … Continue reading →

“We are pleased that the Domestic Abuse Bill remains firmly on the Governments agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session. This is testament to the hard work of many across the sector and to the many survivors of domestic abuse who have been willing to talk about the horrific abuse they have experienced, in anticipation of helping to secure change. Continue reading →

“We are pleased that the Domestic Abuse Bill remains firmly on the Governments agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session. This is testament to the hard work of many across the sector and to the many survivors of domestic abuse who have been willing to talk about the horrific abuse they have experienced, in anticipation of helping to secure change. Continue reading →

London 25 November 2019: Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic violence charity, responds to the release of the ONS annual domestic abuse statistics. In response to the release of the ONS annual domestic abuse statistics, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of the national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: These statistics should serve as a serious wake-up call to the future Government that domestic abuse is a major crime in this country and must be top of the political agenda. ‘It is clear that the likelihood of women and girls experiencing domestic abuse at some point in their lives is increasing. This … Continue reading →

Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic violence charity, responds to media coverage of Grace Millane’s death. In response to the ongoing press coverage concerning Grace Millane’s death, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of the national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: ‘Refuge is shocked and saddened by the recent coverage of the murder trial of Grace Millane. It is reckless and irresponsible to frame her death as anything other than the result of grievous violence, perpetrated by a sexual partner. Her sexual preferences are irrelevant and need to be removed from any discussion surrounding the circumstances of her death. Of course, Grace … Continue reading →

“We are pleased that the Domestic Abuse Bill remains firmly on the Governments agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session. This is testament to the hard work of many across the sector and to the many survivors of domestic abuse who have been willing to talk about the horrific abuse they have experienced, in anticipation of helping to secure change. Continue reading →

In response to the second reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill today, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national Domestic Abuse charity Refuge said: “Refuge is pleased that Robert Buckland presented the Domestic Abuse Bill for its second reading in Parliament today. This Bill is many years in the making and the product of incredibly hard work across the sector. The Bill has the potential to transform the response to domestic abuse –  but to be effective, Refuge hopes to work with Government to make sure the Bill goes further. Statutory funding for refuges is essential. Women must be able … Continue reading →