Keeping Women and Children Safe 2020

The Coronavirus has led to a national increase in domestic violence as those at risk are trapped indoors with their abusers during the pandemic. This is happening right here in Bolton and Fortalice is seeing an increase in demand for services.

It's an explosive situation. Families around our borough are in lockdown with their abusers and have few options to escape. There is no school, so children no longer have a safe space to spend time each day. Women we discharged from services are now returning and those in our refuge are experiencing PTSD and anxiety.

We're working round the clock to keep our services open when people need us the most. Our 24 hour line remains open and we're offering live webchat, we're providing virtual counselling and therapy to women and children in the community, we're working with GP's when victims come forward and we continue to keep Bolton's only domestic violence refuge open.

We are doing all of this whilst experiencing a drop in both donations and gifts in kind. Both make a real difference to the service we can provide now, and in the future. Please help us to keep providing a lifeline to victims of domestic violence by making a donation today:

£10 could buy toiletries for a family moving into our refuge

£20 can provide a welcome pack of food and cleaning materials

£30 could provide a session of online therapy for a child affected by domestic abuse

£50 can clothe a family fleeing from domestic violence

Together we can keep women and children safe. #Fortaliceforsurvivors