Refuge UK
http://refuge.org.uk/ has a fascinating website, packed full of informative articles and help links for anyone in need of a safe haven from domestic violence.
As their mission statement says “We are committed to a world where domestic violence is not tolerated or ignored and where women and children can live in safety.”
On their website – they identify truly horrifying statistics to support why they exist as a charity.
One woman in four experiences domestic violence at some point in her life
Two women are killed each week by a current or former partner
Domestic violence accounts for almost a quarter of all violent crime
In 90% of domestic violence incidents in family households, children are in the same or next room
On average a woman will be assaulted by her partner or ex-partner 35 times before reporting it to the police
The Refuge UK ethos is about empowerment, supporting women and children in rebuilding their lives free from violence and fear. Their aim is to provide a range of life-changing and life-saving services and a voice for abused women and children.
The Refuge UK approach to achieving their mission is a three pronged approach, with an integrated programme of
Provision:
Providing high quality services to women and children – from a national helpline and places of safety to community-based initiatives. Our services support women and children to regain control of their lives and move forwards in a positive way.
Prevention:
Helping prevent domestic violence through campaigning, education, training and research. We work in partnership with other agencies to raise awareness of domestic violence, its causes and solutions.
Protection:
Advocating for improvements to domestic violence policy and practice, and the implementation of legislation to support abused women and children. Encouraging other agencies to develop best practice services and approaches to meet their needs.
Refuge identifies that “every woman and child experiencing domestic violence has different needs” and understands that there is no single package of services to meet those needs, there is no “one size fits all” approach.
In line with this, Refuge offers a range of services to empower and give women and children access to professional support, whatever their situation.
They have a network of national services:-
The National Domestic Violence Helpline – is a Freephone, 24 hours National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership with Women’s Aid [http://www.womensaid.org.uk/]
It’s open 24 hours a day, every single day. The helpline workers are there to give emotional support and practical information as they help women explore their options and escape abuse.
Contact the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline on
0808 2000 247
There is a network of refuges across the UK providing emergency accommodation for women escaping from abuse. These are more than just a roof over their heads, they give women the time and space to make decisions about their futures. The specialist refuge staff are on hand to provide emotional and practical support.
Refuge have Independent Domestic Violence Advocates providing expert guidance for women going through civil and criminal courts. These help women with areas such as obtain injunctions and occupation orders, and they help increase conviction rates.
Refuge is committed to ensuring that its specialist staff are trained to the highest possible standards. They believe that the women and children in their care deserve professional support from experts equipped with best practice skills and knowledge.
Refuge and SFJ Awards have launched two qualifications for professionals working with survivors of domestic violence. The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and the two associated qualifications were accredited by OfQual in 2012.
These qualifications allow those who provide support to survivors of domestic violence to gain formal recognition of their skills and expertise.
Refuge also offers a specialist training programme which is designed to enable professionals to gain the skills necessary to meet the standards of the Level 3 and 2 Awards.
Refuge employs a number of child support workers in their refuges across the country, providing vital one-on-one and group sessions for their child residents.
Refuge recognises that some women may choose not to go into a refuge or leave their home. They have outreach workers who meet with women at safe times in their own homes or in discreet places in the community, helping women to draw up safety plans, progress housing applications and providing emotional support.
Women and children from minority ethnic groups often find it difficult to access mainstream support services . Refuge provides culturally specific refuges and outreach programmes for eastern European, African and Asian families.
Additionally, Refuge has The Gaia Centre, a “ground-breaking service, based in the London borough of Lambeth, supports victims of all types of gender violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, trafficking, prostitution, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based violence.”
Refuge runs pro bono advertising campaigns of award winning status, to raise awareness of domestic violence. Their campaigns also reach out to women, telling them where to get help and reminding them that they are not alone, an ethos that is very dear to our hearts.
Refuge also lobbies the government to alter policy to ensure that domestic violence as a subject to be addressed remains high on the political agenda; encouraging other agencies to develop best practice services to meet the needs of women and children experiencing domestic violence, working alongside Members of Parliament, Ministers and policy makers to ensure policies and legislation give abused women and children the protection and services they deserve.
That’s a flavour of the amazing work that Refuge does on behalf of women and children who are in need of their help. There is much more detail on their website
http://refuge.org.uk/ so please check them out.
Get involved with their work
http://refuge.org.uk/get-involved/ if you can, donate, raise funds, volunteer..
If you feel that you need their help, please, read the website, contact the helpline, read
http://refuge.org.uk/get-help-now/ and above all, be safe.
There are more useful links on
http://refuge.org.uk/links-and-useful-numbers/ and we will reference them in future blog posts as an easily accessible list.
We do not accept donations via the project for any charities but would encourage anyone wishing to donate to contact the relevant charity directly.
On their website there are ways to donate so if you feel you can, please read the many ways that you can help them achieve their mission and work towards “a world where domestic violence is not tolerated or ignored and where women and children can live in safety.”
For more details about Refuge UK please access their website
http://refuge.org.uk/ 
Home 