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PRESS RELEASE
4th December 2017
CHRISTMAS HAMPER APPEAL FOR WOMEN’S REFUGE
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.
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 been providing safe emergency accommodation for women and children for over 40 years. Women who experience domestic abuse have told Women’s Aid that Christmas time can lead to more stress and abuse. Women’s Aid said that women disclosed to them that the extra stress of the festive period triggers more frequent and at times more severe abuse at home, including emotional abuse of children. Because of this, it is easy to see why Milton Keynes refuge is full this Christmas with families seeking a safe place away from domestic abuse.
MK ACT have launched a Christmas Hamper Appeal to individuals and businesses in Milton Keynes. Hampers cost £45 which gives a family in the refuge a hamper with Christmas Dinner and all the trimmings.
Sue Burke, Chief Executive of MK ACT said “I have set up this Local Giving page as our clients have had a really difficult time and this will give some light to their year. Please give whatever you can. £45 would buy a whole hamper but no amount you could give would be too small.”
To donate to the appeal click here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mkrefugehampers
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For more information on MK ACT visit: www.mkact.com
To find your local Women’s Aid service please click on the link below:
https://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-abuse-directory/
National Domestic Violence Helpline number is 0808 2000 247, this is a free phone helpline. A 24 hours a day, 7 days a week helpline for women experiencing domestic violence.
Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic abuse. The free phone helpline number is 0808 801 0327. This is a Monday to Friday 9am-5pm service.
Please Note: if you fear for your safety in any way than contact the police immediately on 999.
The Facts:
One woman in four experiences domestic violence in her lifetime (Office for National Statistics (2016) Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences, 2014/15) and two women are killed each week by a current or former partner in England and Wales (Office for National Statistics (2016) Compendium – Homicide (average taken over 10 years).
In the year ending March 2016, 1.2 million women reported experiences of domestic abuse in England and Wales (Office for National Statistics (2016) Domestic Abuse in England and Wales: year ending March 2016).
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