Lockdown has been difficult for a lot of people but try and imagine how terrifying it has been for those women who have been locked down 24/7 with someone who is physically and violently abusing them. No escape from the kicks and punches. Even if they could get out of the house for a while they have to go back. Sometimes there are children involved and the emotional and psychological damage inflicted on them lasts a lifetime.

During lockdown there’s been a 61% increase in people calling and contacting the National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Refuge has referred women to safe refuges 4,481 times during lockdown.

One woman in four will experience domestic violence at some point in her lifetime and two women are killed each week in England and Wales by a current or former partner. Refuge supports around 6,000 women & children on any given day, experiencing domestic and sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, stalking, trafficking, prostitution & so-called ‘honour’ based violence. By kindly sponsoring me today you are helping to save and change the lives of thousands of women and children escaping domestic violence. Thank you.