Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Some may think mad, or just plain stupid, but I wanted to help a charity which does an awful lot of good work for an awful lot of people, people from all walks of life, rich, poor, young and old.  Most people will know someone who has been affected by domestic violence even if they don't know it!

Sandra Horley, OBE and chief executive of Refuge, says: "Two women are killed every week by a current or former partner.  This is a huge statistic and one that we need to start addressing - and addressing fast if we're to save lives and protect young women in the future.

Many people think that it is only women who experience the effects of domestic violence – unfortunately it is something that affects everyone. 1 in 4 of all women and 1 in 10 of all men live with Domestic Violence or abuse.  Children also suffer from the effects, they have the right to live safely and free from fear.

Domestic violence is the biggest social issue affecting women in the country today - it is an issue which not only takes lives but ruins lives in great number.  Refuge helps women recognise the early warning signs of domestic violence and in so doing prevent them from a life time of abuse.

Research, highlights a worrying lack of awareness amongst women of the techniques used by violent men to control women.   

-   95% of respondents recognised physical abuse as domestic violence but only a quarter of respondents understood the more subtle techniques of control such as jealousy and possessiveness as indicators of domestic violence.

- And yet approximately a quarter of all the women questioned had experienced jealousy and possessiveness in an intimate partner relationship.

- 50% of respondents said they had experienced at least one of the warning signs.

Dani, 42, domestic abuse survivor says: "My ex was so charming at the start of our relationship that I felt very flattered by him.  But after a short time the jealousy started, along with the mood swings where he readily switched from being charming to being abusive.  I lived my life walking on egg shells.  I experienced nearly all of the warning signs - I was very closely controlled, criticised and isolated from friends and family.  I just didn’t realise that these were the warning signs; I didn't recognise this as domestic violence.  If I had known then what I know now, my life would have been quite different."

                                                    What are the signs?  

If a woman is forced to change her behaviour because she is frightened of her partner then she is being abused.  If she is experiencing any of the following then it's likely that she's being abused:

-          Is he jealous and possessive?

-          Does he cut her off from family and friends and try to isolate her?

-          Is he charming one minute and abusive the next, does he have sudden changes of mood - like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?

-          Does he control her life - for example money, who she should see, what she should wear?

-          Does he monitor her movements?

-          Does he blame her for the abuse?

-          Does he humiliate or insult her in front of others?

-          Does he verbally abuse her?

-          Does he constantly criticise her?

-          Does he use anger and intimidation to frighten her and to make her comply with his demands?

-          Does he tell her she's useless and couldn't cope without him?

-          Has he threatened to hurt her or people close to her if she leaves? Does she change her behaviour to avoid making him angry and triggering an attack?

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Refuge gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please be generous and sponsor me now your money can help so many people!

Thanks so much Alice xxx