Refuge communications and external relations director receives OBE.
Refuge communications and external relations director receives OBE.
Refuge is thrilled that our director of communications and external relations, Lisa King, has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honors list 2021, receiving an OBE.
Lisa joined refuge 18 years ago, as a 30-year-old, who had worked in a traditional PR role. Over 18 years, Lisa has been at the centre of Refuge’s growth, now the largest single provider of specialist domestic abuse services in the country. Leading the organisations communications and external relations department has seen Lisa become a regular media commentator, not only delivering Refuge’s messages, but also supporting and empowering survivors of domestic abuse to tell their stories, as well as playing a central role in our advocacy to government, ensuring domestic abuse remains high on both the political and public agenda. Lisa has also brought in significant partnerships to Refuge, an ever-flourishing group of talented creatives who offer us pro bono support, as well as driving award winning campaigns.
Ruth Davison, Refuge CEO said: ‘We are all thrilled that Lisa has received this well-deserved recognition. Since joining Refuge in April, it’s become clear just how much Refuge can utilise its brand profile, enabling us to reach women experiencing domestic abuse who need to access our services, whilst delivering real change for the more than 7000 women and children we support on any given day. The Domestic Abuse Act, which became law earlier this year, is testament too, to the way in which the women’s sector has been able to collectively hold the governments feet to the fire. Lisa has played a key role in so many of Refuge’s achievements to date and this honour is fitting recognition of her passion, hard work and tenacity’.
Lisa King said: ‘I am truly humbled to receive this honor. When I joined Refuge 18 years ago, I knew very little about the prevalence of domestic abuse in this country. Now, 18 years on, I am so proud to work with so many survivors who have really helped drive change in this country. I also know that behind the horrific statistics we repeat over and over at Refuge, are real women, brave women. Women who have helped change the landscape of the response to domestic abuse.
We know we have so much work yet to do, and this honour will help drive me forward to continue the fight, until we can be sure that no woman or child is turned away from accessing the support they need, and that women can live safely, free from abuse. ‘
ENDS
About Refuge:
Refuge is the country’s largest single provider of specialist domestic services and supports more than 7,000 women and children on any given day. Refuge also runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which is the gateway to accessing specialist support across the country. More than one in four women in England and Wales experiences domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime, and two women a week are killed by a current or former partner.
Please signpost to Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for free, confidential specialist support. Or visit http://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ to fill in a webform and request a safe time to be contacted or to access live chat (live chat available 3pm-10pm, Monday to Friday). For real time automated guidance on how to secure your personal devices Refuge also has a Tech Safety Tool.