News

Refuge, the country’s largest single provider of specialist domestic abuse services, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ruth Davison as its new Chief Executive Officer. Davison joins from Comic Relief where she is interim CEO. This appointment comes as Refuge supports more women and children than ever before – more than 7,000 on any given day – and with domestic abuse never being higher on the political or public agenda. Davison’s extensive CV includes Princes Trust International, Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth and Crisis, as well as her current role with Comic Relief, one of the largest funders … Continue reading →

As the Domestic Abuse Bill enters its final stages before becoming law, Refuge, Olivia Colman (Refuge ambassador), survivor Natasha Saunders, influencer Zara McDermott and Baroness Nicky Morgan are calling on the Government – and in particular Home Secretary, Priti Patel and Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland – to make threats to share intimate images crime. Refuge has today launched a powerful video with a direct plea to the Home Secretary to change the law. Refuge’s #TheNakedThreat campaign has received huge public support with over 38, 000 letters being sent to government ministers over the last few months. As … Continue reading →

In response to the governments announcement of a £40 million funding pot, Tracy Blackwell, head of development at Refuge said: ‘Never before have so many survivors of domestic and sexual abuse come forward for support than during the Covide-19 crisis. Refuge hopes to turn to this £40million pot to fund the life-saving IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) services it runs which urgently need financial support. We anticipate demand for these services to increase once the court system is back up and running – there are hundreds of thousands of cases held in the backlog which will need their day in … Continue reading →

As the Domestic Abuse Bill, many years in the making, starts its crucial ‘Committee Stage’ in the House of Lords, Refuge, the country’s largest provider of specialist domestic abuse services calls for a Bill which is as ‘bold and transformative as it has the potential to be.’ Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, Chair of Refuge said: ‘Refuge is delighted that the Domestic Abuse Bill starts its important Committee Stage in the House of Lords this afternoon. Refuge stands ready to work with the government to make the Bill as bold and transformative as it has the potential to be, and we hope the … Continue reading →

Critical Committee Stage to begin which can bring about urgent law change via Domestic Abuse Bill  Peers, Refuge, and Revenge Porn Helpline stand united in their call for the threat to share intimate images to be made a crime. Revenge Porn Helpline sees calls about threats to share intimate images more than triple between 2017 and 2020 and rise 73% between 2019 and 2020. The long-awaited and much needed Domestic Abuse Bill starts its Committee Stage on 25th January – this is the last chance in this session of Parliament to change the law to protect women from image-based abuse. The time for the government to act is … Continue reading →

Refuge calls for threats to share intimate images to be made a crime, as the Domestic Abuse Bill returns to the Lords. Refuge, the largest specialist domestic abuse service provider in England, is calling for the Domestic Abuse Bill to include the provision to make threatening to share intimate images and films a crime. Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, Chair of Refuge said: “We are delighted that the Bill returns to parliament today for its second reading in the House of Lords. As a priority, Refuge would like to see the Bill incorporate a simple change to the law, which would better protect … Continue reading →

On the 5th January, the Domestic Abuse Bill will return to the House of Lords for its Second Reading. This is a hugely important time. This Bill has the potential to be truly transformational, but there is still work to do before that is a reality. Refuge believes that for the Bill to be as bold and effective as it needs to be, in order to better support women and girls, that there are some significant changes that still need to be made. Covid-19 really has pulled into sharp focus the level of domestic abuse across the country and the … Continue reading →

Ahead of the holiday period, Lisa King, director of communications and external relations at Refuge said: “Domestic abuse is the biggest social issue affecting women and children and has never been more of an issue than it is now, as COVID-19 restrictions have forced women and children to stay at home with their abusers. With a locked-down Christmas fast approaching, the end of 2020 will be a very challenging time for women and children experiencing domestic abuse across the country. Refuge wants every woman experiencing abuse this Christmas to know – if you need help, you are not alone. Call our … Continue reading →

This year has been my first as Chair of Refuge and what a profound year it has been! We know that lockdown has significantly increased the instances of domestic abuse and it has been even more important that women and children have confidence that help is available when they need it. Our work is not possible without the continued efforts of our partner organisations – all other domestic abuse specialist services, the police, social services, GPs, hospitals, the Home Office and local government, and the general public. Without teamwork we could not identify, protect and support those suffering abuse, and … Continue reading →