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Today, Comic Relief is shining a light on the extent of domestic abuse across the UK. Charities funded by Comic Relief report overwhelming demand from those suffering every single day behind closed doors – an endemic which saw 1.2 million women experiencing domestic abuse in the last year and two women killed each week in England and Wales because of domestic violence.
Figures released by the National Domestic Violence Helpline(opens in new window), a vital support service launched by Comic Relief in 2003 and run in partnership by Women’s Aid and Refuge, show that demand for domestic abuse crisis assistance is at an all-time high with, on average, 230 calls received every day. Recent grant applications to Comic Relief show a significant uplift in demand for all types of domestic abuse support services, with some organisations reporting an increase of up to 60%.
Gilly Green, Head of UK Grants for Comic Relief, says: “More and more women are finding the courage to come forward, which will help to tackle the stigma that continues to surround domestic abuse, and ensure more people get the support they need.
"However, domestic abuse is still a reality for far too many people and help often comes too late. It is vital that we keep the spotlight on domestic abuse, encourage more women to seek help, and make sure that they receive the support they need as early and as easily as possible.”
With more and more people speaking out about their experiences, latest research also underlines that anyone can experience domestic abuse. Statistics from the Femicide Census released in December 2016 show that more than one quarter of victims of femicide were over the age of 56. Gilly Green adds: “Little has previously been known about older victims of domestic abuse, with services currently largely geared to younger women. This abuse doesn’t just happen within couples – many women experience abuse at the hands of their children, which can be an impossible thing to talk about.”
To help address the unprecedented demand for the services it funds, Comic Relief has opened a new Tech vs. Abuse programme. This initiative is currently open for applications from organisations seeking funds for innovative new solutions that use technology to support the hardest to reach victims of abuse. Some of the money raised during this year’s Red Nose Day will fund more initiatives to help provide early support victims of domestic abuse. Comic Relief is also partnering with Women’s Aid to tackle hidden domestic abuse by training community members – from hairdressers, priests and even sales reps – to spot the signs of domestic abuse.
The 24 hour freephone National Domestic Violence Helpline is available on 0808 2000 247 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Red Nose Day is back on Friday 24th March. The money raised will transform people's lives in the UK and across the world's poorest communities, including people affected by domestic abuse.
