PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 20th February
MK ACT, the Domestic Abuse Charity for Milton Keynes, is appealing for help this year from individuals and companies to support them by raising money so they can refurbish 8 of their refuge flats.
From April 2018 to March 2019 MK Act supported 1574 people who were affected by domestic violence. MK ACT’s Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Lolly Marlborough said;
“We are really in need of funds to refurbish 8 of our 28 refuge spaces in Milton Keynes. They provide self-contained emergency accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence. We would love the help of companies and individuals in raising the money to provide basic furnishings and equipment for the flats. It would be so lovely to breathe some life back into the flats and make them really nice for the families who are suffering from the effects of domestic abuse.”
Since these 8 2 bed refuge flats were opened in 2008 they have been a home to over 100 women and over 250 children in Milton Keynes. The cost to MK ACT to refurbish each flat is £3,839.
One woman in four experience domestic violence in their lifetime and two women are killed each week by a current or former partner in England and Wales. Milton Keynes has the highest level of repeat incidents of domestic abuse in the Thames Valley area. The refuge in Milton Keynes is always full to capacity. To speak to MK ACT about your company sponsoring a flat refurbishment or fundraising for it please email [email protected]
Anyone that would like to donate to the cause are urged to visit: https://localgiving.org/appeal/mkactrefuge/
If you are experiencing domestic violence or abuse call:
MK ACT Helpline: 0344 375 4307
Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
0808 2000247 National Domestic Violence Helpline (24 hours)
If you feel at risk don’t be afraid to call the police: 999
Notes to Editor:
An estimated 1.3 million women experienced domestic abuse last year. Domestic abuse services are struggling to meet demand; an estimated 21,084 referrals to all refuge services in England were declined in 2017/18, averaging over 400 referrals declined each week. Despite welcome injections of emergency funding from the government over recent years, over half (57%) of responding organisations to Women’s Aid’s 2018 Annual Survey were running an area of their domestic abuse service without any dedicated funding in 2017/18.
MK Act is a charity in Milton Keynes which works with over 100 families’ every day to help them move on from fear and abuse. They have provided safe emergency accommodation for women and their children escaping domestic abuse for over 40 years. Last year, MK Act support over 1500 people through its refuge and outreach support services. It is a member of Women’s Aid, a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. You can support MK Act to continue their life-saving work by donating online today.
For information or support, you can contact the Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge, on 0808 2000 247 or visit www.womensaid.org.uk.
Endnotes:
1) MK Act
MK Act is a charity in Milton Keynes which works with over 100 families’ every day to help them move on fear and abuse. We have been providing safe emergency accommodation in Milton Keynes for women and their children escaping domestic violence for over 40 years. For further information visit: https://www.mkact.com/
2) Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. Over the past 44 years, Women’s Aid has been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic violence and abuse through practice, research and policy. We empower survivors by keeping their voices at the heart of our work, working with and for women and children by listening to them and responding to their needs.
We are a federation of over 180 organisations who provide just under 300 local lifesaving services to women and children across the country. We provide expert training, qualifications and consultancy to a range of agencies and professionals working with survivors or commissioning domestic abuse services, and award a National Quality Mark for services which meet our quality standards. We hold the largest national data set on domestic abuse, and use research and evidence to inform all of our work. Our campaigns achieve change in policy, practice and awareness, encouraging healthy relationships and helping to build a future where domestic abuse is no longer tolerated.
The 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (run in partnership with Refuge) and our range of online services, which include the Survivors’ Forum, help hundreds of thousands of women and children every year. For further information visit: www.womensaid.org.uk.
