News

In response to the domestic homicide statistics released today, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: ‘These statistics are truly horrifying. Domestic violence is a national travesty and the biggest issue facing women and girls worldwide. At Refuge we know only too well what happens when violence against women and girls goes unchallenged, and these statistics should be a wakeup call for politicians and the criminal justice system. Now more than ever, violence against women and girls must be taken seriously. But change will not happen without pressure, and we know that women and girls … Continue reading →

Responding to the release of statistics on homelessness, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: ‘Between April 2018 and March 2019, more than 22 thousand survivors had to leave their homes as a result of domestic abuse. This is a shocking statistic and one which reaffirms what we already know: that statutory funding for refuges must increase, and those fleeing domestic abuse must be granted priority housing status. As the law currently stands, fleeing domestic abuse does not automatically qualify you as being in urgent need of rehousing. This is unacceptable and in some cases … Continue reading →

Refuge responds to Crown Prosecution Service Violence Against Women and Girls report. In response to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) report, Sandra Horley, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: ‘These statistics are sadly not a surprise – but they are nonetheless extremely disappointing. More and more women are reporting rape, yet numbers of prosecutions and convictions have reduced dramatically. What kind of message does this send to women and girls? That they won’t be believed? That their experiences are will be trivialised? That their voices are not valid? Additionally, there has … Continue reading →

Responding to the news that Geoffrey Boycott has been awarded a knighthood, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: “The news that Geoffrey Boycott has been awarded a knighthood is shocking and disappointing. It also sends an extremely concerning message: that violence against women and girls is tolerated, and even rewarded. Across the UK two women every week are killed by a current or former partner, and one in four women experiences domestic violence at some time in their life. Awarding an honour to a man convicted of domestic violence serves to trivialise and normalise … Continue reading →

In response to the announcement today that the Prime Minister intends to ensure that the Domestic Abuse Bill is carried over into the next parliamentary session, Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said: ‘We are delighted that the Government has today made a clear statement confirming that the Domestic Abuse Bill will be carried over into the next parliamentary session. This Bill represents many years of work for Refuge and our colleagues across the Violence against Women and Girls sector. In England and Wales, two women every week are killed by their current or former … Continue reading →

Refuge welcomes today’s announcement of the Domestic Abuse Bill and seeing the Government tackle the vital topic of domestic abuse. Reforming the criminal justice system is vitally important but so is providing emergency accommodation. Sandra Horley CBE, chief executive of Refuge, said: “Refuge welcomes the Domestic Abuse Bill and the important changes it will bring. Domestic abuse is the biggest issue affecting women and children in this country today. “The Prime Minister, Theresa May, has championed the issue of domestic abuse and has brought this important piece of legislation to bear.  As the Bill stands it will bring about changes to the … Continue reading →

  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 →