The country’s largest specialist domestic abuse service provider Refuge today took to Westminster to hand in a letter signed by 17,221 of the charity’s supporters.
Launched during the general election campaign in the summer, when the charity also unveiled a manifesto and a guide for domestic abuse survivors on how to vote safely and anonymously, Refuge called on the public to send a message to the incoming Government to do more to eradicate domestic abuse and male violence against women and girls (VAWG.)
The ‘Dear PM’ message has now been delivered to Prime Minister Keir Starmer who pledged to ‘halve incidences of VAWG over the next decade’ on entering office almost 100 days ago.
Jessica Eagelton, Head Policy and Public Affairs said:
“The Government has made a big pledge to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) over the next decade. This isn’t an easy task, and it will require significant funding for the sector and service providers like Refuge who are on the frontline of this crisis. We’re hoping to see commitments in the Budget later this month that will prove the Government is serious about protecting women and children and eradicating VAWG.
Saturday marks 100 days in office for the new Government and we’ve seen just how immediate this issue is with headline after headline running over the last few months showing the sheer scale of violence against women and girls. 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and 1 woman is killed by a partner or ex-partner in England and Wales every five days. We need the Government to act now and invest in domestic abuse services in the Budget and Spending Review in order to ensure as many women and children who need it can access lifesaving support.”
Yesterday Refuge launched a brand-new campaign film starring Ambassador Billie Piper and directed by BAFTA winning Georgi Banks-Davies (I Hate Suzie / Kaos) produced in partnership with creative agency AMV BBDO. The two-minute film shares real life stories from survivors of domestic abuse who have worked with Refuge to share their harrowing lived experience of domestic abuse.
Watch the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZno7c-uZLI&t=1s