The Duchess first learnt about the work of SafeLives, at a visit in 2016, where she heard from survivors of domestic abuse, and left with a desire to do what she could to help. She has since been a long-standing ally in our ambition to end domestic abuse for everyone, for good. This year alone, she has helped us celebrate our 15th anniversary with a reception at Clarence House, and supported our #ReachIn campaign, which urges communities to come together and ‘reach in’ to victims of domestic abuse.
The announcement will be made as part of the Women of the World (WOW) Global 24, a free worldwide festival in response to the separation, deprivation and inequalities brought about and exacerbated by Covid-19, this weekend (27-28 June). In a pre-recorded conversation that will be aired on Saturday evening, The Duchess spoke to Suzanne Jacob, Chief Executive of SafeLives, along with Jude Kelly, founder of WOW, and Gina Miller, campaigner and survivor of domestic abuse.
I am fiercely proud and hugely honoured to say that Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, has agreed to become our Patron at SafeLives.
The way that she speaks to people directly and really listens to them helps to unravel some of the harm, the terrible harm that abusive people do to the people they are supposed to love the most. They tell them that they don’t matter, that nobody cares about them, that nobody will believe them, and Her Royal Highness is making it absolutely clear that that is not true. That anybody who lives with an experience of domestic abuse is valuable, is going to be listened to.
Suzanne Jacob, OBE, Chief Executive
I want to say how proud I am to have become Patron of SafeLives. SafeLives will always stick in my memory from the first visit I paid there…that was the moment when I thought, goodness I’ve got to do something to help these people
HRH, The Duchess of Cornwall
The announcement comes at an important time. The last few months have been difficult for everyone. However, for those living with an abusive partner or family member, the lockdown restrictions have been dangerous, traumatic and relentless. New SafeLives’ data from a survey of victims and survivors of domestic abuse asked respondents to rate their safety from 0 to 10 (0=not safe at all, 10=safe). 24% of respondents rated themselves at 5 out of 10, while 29% rated their safety below 5.
The data also shows that almost two-thirds (61%) of respondents have not asked for help since Covid-19 restrictions, with many respondents finding it hard to reach out for support. We know that four out of five victims do not call the police, but many may disclose to friends, family members and employers – if someone reaches out to ask them.
My partner’s temper and stress has increased a lot since the lockdown and I’m the only thing he can take it out on at the moment, he can’t let his stress out in usual ways.
Victim
Diana Parkes, domestic abuse campaigner, who set up the Joanna Simpson Foundation in her daughter’s name, commented:
I attended a Clarence House lunch reception on 14th July, 2016 when the Duchess told me that:- “It was my experience that had inspired her to campaign to lift the shroud of secrecy over the subject of Domestic Violence.” I was very moved by her comment.
Diana Parkes
The Duchess of Cornwall is the perfect patron for SafeLives because she genuinely cares, she knows domestic abuse is everyone’s problem and knows no class. Together we will erase the stigma and open up a much needed dialogue for real change to happen, and make homes safe again. I’m deeply heartened by her joining us in this vital mission to end domestic abuse for everyone, once and for all.
Celia Peachey, survivors and SafeLives’ Pioneers
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, help is available.
