Chanita Stephenson joins Refuge as ambassador during 16 Days of Activism

Presenter, TV star and activist Chanita Stephenson has joined Refuge, the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK, as a celebrity ambassador. 

After partnering with the charity as a Refuge Champion in 2023, Chanita will now be stepping up her involvement with Refuge, helping to raise awareness of the vital services it provides to tens of thousands of survivors every year. 

First appearing on Married at First Sight in 2022, Chanita is known for using her platform to speak out for women’s rights. Since joining Refuge last year, she has played a vital part in campaigning efforts, promoting Refuge’s summer appeal and sharing her own experiences of domestic abuse as a child. 

The announcement comes during 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an annual international campaign led by the UN, which launches today (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women), and will be running until Human Rights Day on the 10 December. Refuge is standing with the UN’s call to end the epidemic of violence against women and girls (VAWG). 

1 in 4 women in England and Wales experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and every two minutes, someone turns to Refuge for help. Refuge provides a range of lifesaving services for survivors of domestic abuse, including emergency accommodation, community services, and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline. 

Chanita Stephenson said: 

“As the global 16 Days of Activism campaign begins, I am thrilled to be officially joining Refuge’s celebrity ambassador programme after a year of working closely with this lifesaving organisation. From supporting Refuge’s summer campaign to sharing my own experience of domestic abuse as a child, this past year has offered so many opportunities to raise awareness and help survivors know that they are not alone. However, our work is not finished.  

“Having grown up in a household with domestic abuse, I know first-hand the devastating impact abuse can have on survivors. 1 in 5 children in the UK have lived with an adult perpetrating domestic abuse. Along with Refuge, I want to continue working towards a future where domestic abuse is eradicated and all women and their children are able to live free from fear.” 

Refuge’s Chair of Trustees, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, said:       

“Chanita has been brilliant in raising awareness of Refuge in the past year, and we are delighted that she is joining us as an ambassador to continue our crucial work together. The scale of domestic abuse and VAWG is truly devastating, and there are still so many misconceptions about domestic abuse. The work of our celebrity ambassadors has been incredibly important in changing perceptions and driving positive change, so we look forward to our continued partnership with Chanita as we strive for a world where domestic abuse is not tolerated.”