The Duchess of Cornwall meets domestic abuse charity SafeLives
Today, The Duchess of Cornwall visits Royal Stoke University Hospital to learn about the vital role the health sector plays in tackling domestic abuse.
SafeLives, a national domestic abuse charity, and local charity, Arch, host the Duchess on her visit. SafeLives is pioneering in its approach to finding health-based solutions to domestic abuse, and working to ensure survivors can be supported in hospitals and other health settings.
SafeLives argue domestic abuse professionals (Idvas) should be in every hospital in the country.
During the visit, the Duchess will spend time with domestic abuse professionals from the local service, specialist domestic abuse charity Arch. They have an invaluable role in supporting survivors to become safe.
Her Royal Highness will also meet people affected personally by domestic abuse: taking the time to talk to survivors as well as those who have lost a loved one to domestic abuse.
Diana Barran, Chief Executive of SafeLives, said:
“We are hugely appreciative of Her Royal Highness taking time again to meet domestic abuse survivors and finding out about the amazing efforts of professionals who seek to help them. She is truly committed to this cause, and always takes the time to privately talk to the women affected to ensure their stories are properly heard.
“We know 80% of survivors never call the police. We need professionals in places like hospitals to reach people sooner and help them become safe.”
Diane Lea, Chief Executive of Arch said:
“We are enormously grateful that Her Royal Highness is highlighting the role that Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (Idvas) play. The support Idvas offer in hospitals to both victims and other health professionals is essential in our daily mission to end domestic abuse.”
Paula Clark, Chief Executive University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, said:
“We very much welcome this visit by Her Royal Highness as it will raise general awareness of the important work the NHS and its partners are doing to ensure survivors can be supported in hospitals.
“Our emergency services often have an invaluable role in supporting survivors to become safe.
“We will also be using this visit to remind any of our own NHS staff who may be experiencing domestic abuse that support is available to them whenever they are ready to access it.”
For more information, or interviews with survivors or professionals, please contact Penny East, Head of Communications on 07818 593 562 or at penny.east@safelives.org.uk
BACKGROUND
In July 2016, The Duchess of Cornwall hosted a reception at Clarence House for survivors of domestic abuse and those working in the field, in order to raise awareness of this issue. Her Royal Highness has undertaken a number of visits with charities working to end domestic abuse and help those affected by it, including SafeLives and Refuge. Women's Aid and Refuge work together to run the National Domestic Violence Helpline, which on any given day receives around 240 calls.
SafeLives is a national charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse in the UK. The charity's mission is simple - to end domestic abuse. SafeLives wants all survivors and their children to be supported by the right resources at the right time to help them become safe. SafeLives focuses on offering a combination of specialist tailored support from a qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (Idva) and enabling the main statutory agencies to work together, sharing information and resources so that the victim gets coordinated and effective support. It always put the survivor's safety first. In the past year, the charity's work has benefited over 67,500 victims at high risk of serious harm or murder and their 76,000 children.
For more information visit www.safelives.org.uk
Arch is a registered charity working with people in housing need, families needing support, victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and people wanting to return to work, education and training.
Arch is part of the Staffordshire Housing Group, which provides a diverse range of housing for rent and sale, along with development, regeneration, support and wellbeing services through Staffordshire Housing Association, Arch, Blue Mountain and Revival Home Improvement Agency.
For more information visit www.staffshousing.org.uk
Royal Stoke University Hospital is a teaching and research hospital. It is part of the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust and works in partnership with Keele University.
For more information visit: www.uhnm.nhs.uk