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It is the Ten Year Anniversary of The National Domestic Violence helpline. The vital service is run in partnership between Refuge and Women’s Aid, which Comic Relief were instrumental in setting up and have continued to fund.
Since 2003, the 24-hour national free-phone helpline has fielded almost 1.5 million phone calls, referring on average 28 women to a refuge every day, making it a lifeline for women and children in the UK who are experiencing domestic abuse and are desperately seeking help.
Many women now know where to turn for support, and conviction rates have also increased from 59.7% [2005/6] to 74.3% [2012-2013].
For ten years Rose’s partner John controlled her life, forbidding her from leaving the house or even managing her own money. Her life was ruled by fear of what he might do.
After John flew into a violent rage because Rose had gone to the doctor without telling him, she started looking for a way out.
Rose, now 63, found the courage throw together some belongings in some bin bags and go stay with family. They told her to ring the National Domestic Violence helpline and they were able to find her a local women’s refuge where she lived for nine months.
She says. “They don’t judge you. Instead of bottling it up, you get to understand how you got into this situation and show you a way of getting out of it.’
